VCU news

By Mike Porter

Frances Hagen Dumenci, public relations manager for the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR) and VCU Medical Center bureau chief for University Public Affairs, died suddenly on June 4. She was 46.

Dumenci joined University Public Affairs in August 2011, specializing in translational research writing, scientist profiles and research breakthrough stories in addition to managing communications efforts for the CCTR.

“Our VCU and VCU Health System family is in mourning,” said Anne L. Buckley, senior director of University Public Affairs. “This is a heartbreaking loss for University Public Affairs, for the CCTR, for the university as a whole and for her family. Frances leaves behind a rich legacy of unparalleled professionalism, intelligence, humility and humor.”

John N. Clore, M.D., associate vice president for Clinical Research at VCU, professor of Internal Medicine and founding director of the CCTR, called Dumenci "an example of somebody who can work in the background and make all the difference."

"We recognized that we had a lot of moving people and parts and that we needed to bring the center together," he said. "We had no idea until she got here just how powerful she was going to be in terms of pulling the center together. Frances was the glue holding us all together.”

Dumenci, a member of the Public Relations Society of America who became accredited in public relations (APR) in 2013, was named VCU Medical Center Bureau Chief last October. She also was an active member of VCU’s Council for Community Engagement, serving on the council’s awards and recognition committee.  Dumenci was previously employed as marketing manager at the VCU Health System from 2007 to 2011 and, prior to that, she was the director of communications at State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. She received her master’s degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, in 1993.

She enjoyed cooking and baking. She also loved to travel, covering a good portion of the globe, with trips to Thailand, Australia, Hawaii and many points in between. In May, she traveled to Turkey with her husband, Levent. During that trip, she shared her perspective on happiness with Facebook friends.

“There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way,” she posted on May 21.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her parents and four brothers and their families. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 9, at 4 p.m., at the Scott House (909 W. Franklin St.). The ceremony will be followed by a reception there.