Rooted in Relationships

By Caitlin Hanbury | Photo by Daniel Sangjib Min

Henry Ivey, M.D., values relationships – the ties between physician and patient, the bonds between a practice and the families it serves, and the connections that anchor a community and influence its future. Those relationships shaped his four decades of practice in Southwest Virginia, sustained his involvement with VCU and now fuel the philanthropy he and his wife, Susan, are investing in the students who will carry those values forward.

His roots at the MCV Campus go back to the 1970s when he earned his medical degree and completed his residency. He then opened Parkway Physicians in Vinton with classmate Daniel Jones, M.D. Over 44 years, the practice grew from two doctors to 600 providers, eventually becoming Carilion Clinic Family Medicine, serving thousands of families with dependable, patient-centered care.

Mid-career, as technology and insurance demands reshaped medicine, Dr. Ivey returned to VCU for a master’s degree in health administration in 1994. He applied those skills immediately, helping his practice navigate rapid growth and complexity. 

Over 30 years later, he is back in the same program – this time, as a volunteer. He works with students in the practicum process, interviewing them, reviewing their projects and offering guidance drawn from decades of experience. Seeing their talent and commitment up close has cemented his understanding of how essential well-prepared leaders are to the future of healthcare.

That is what motivates the Iveys’ giving. In 2019, they established the Ivey Family Scholarship in the School of Medicine. This year, they expanded their philanthropy, creating the Ivey Family Health Administration Scholarship in the VCU College of Health Professions, honoring both the clinical and administrative paths that shaped Dr. Ivey’s career. 

Their commitment is also personal: All three of their daughters have built careers in healthcare. Sara Sarraf, M.D., and Jessica Sheehy earned degrees on the MCV Campus and now care for patients in Richmond and Atlanta, respectively, as a physician and a genetic counselor. Their third daughter, Rebecca Ivey, works as a healthcare attorney.

For the Iveys, giving is simply an extension of what matters most to them: supporting leaders who, like Dr. Ivey, will leave VCU ready to serve their communities with skill, compassion and purpose.

If you would like to support the VCU College of Health Professions, contact T. Greg Prince, Ed.D., senior director of development, at 804-828-3269 or tgprince@vcu.edu.