Dolly Hintz Honored for Leadership and Care for Community

Dolly Hintz had only called Richmond home for four years when she made an observation that would ultimately change the lives of thousands of medical patients and their families. 

In the early 1980s, as a patient volunteer at the VCU Medical Center on the MCV Campus, she noticed that patients’ families had no resources. People who were simply trying to support their loved ones during incredibly challenging times often were found sleeping on makeshift beds in hospital hallways or using hospital bathrooms to bathe. 

Hintz and other volunteer members of the MCV Hospital Auxiliary set out to open a hospitality house to give respite to these families — “the forgotten members of the health care team,” as Hintz once referred to them.  

It was a mission that took on a life of its own and still thrives more than 40 years later.

Hintz is one of five founding members of the then Hospital Hospitality House, which is now called The Doorways. In recognition of that compassionate leadership and clear vision for how to serve the community, the MCV Foundation recognized her with the 2025 Michael B. Dowdy Award during its annual awards dinner on June 16 at The Jefferson Hotel. 

Dolly’s vision is seen every day at The Doorways. All you have to do is go there and watch how well people are taken care of and how much it’s appreciated by those people.

Fred Moore, trustee and board member, The Doorways

Established in honor of Mickey Dowdy, who served as president of the MCV Foundation from 1993 to 2006, this award recognizes a volunteer who has played a lead role in fundraising for the MCV Campus at VCU Health. 

Thanks largely to Hintz’s early vision, The Doorways grew over the years and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. It has served more than 225,000 guests with 1.3 million nights of lodging. No one is turned away regardless of their ability to pay the suggested $15 nightly donation. 

“Dolly’s vision is seen every day at The Doorways,” said Fred Moore, a trustee and board member at The Doorways. “All you have to do is go there and watch how well people are taken care of and how much it’s appreciated by those people.” 

As a board member, Moore said the organization, at its core, revolves around Hintz’s vision.

“No one was out there asking for this place, but Dolly knew that it should be there to serve others,” he said. “It was incredibly difficult to make that vision come to life, but when that vision is clear and meaningful, it inspires everyone who gets involved.” 

Gail Johnson, a nurse, former MCV Foundation board chair, and a lifetime honorary trustee of the foundation, said she met Hintz when she joined The Doorways board. 

“She is the energy, the push behind the idea of a hospitality house,” Johnson said. “It was an immediate success, and that’s because of her desire to make sure that as many patients’ families could be supported as possible.”

Johnson said it’s Hintz’s background as a nurse that guides her.

“Whether she was at a bedside, or out in the community, she was always thinking and trying to figure out how to best meet the needs of the people around her,” she said. “She is an inspiration. Without Dolly, there is no Doorways.”

Stacy Brinkley, president and CEO of The Doorways, called Dolly a legend. 

“People can learn from Dolly’s perseverance and her desire to help — she raised money in those days that I’m sure most people thought they couldn’t raise,” Brinkley said, “but she was so passionate about the vision that if there was an obstacle, she just found a way around it.”

Brinkley said little has changed in 40 years, and Dolly remains a positive presence and inspiration for the team.

“She is a constant, and our biggest cheerleader. Dolly’s leadership and friendship have been incredibly important to me,” Brinkley said. “She always sees the good in whatever is happening and inspires us all. A lot of time we’ll say we’re doing something for Dolly, because we really feel her presence every day.”