Craig Steven Dorko MD's Obituary
Dr. Craig Steven Dorko transitioned to God on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett.
He was born March 1, 1962 in Winchester, Virginia to Nick and the late Nancy Weich Dorko. He was the third of four children. He was baptized as a child and was a confessed believer in Jesus Christ our Messiah and Savior. Always an achiever, he was the valedictorian of Cleveland High School’s Class of 1979 in Cleveland, TN. Craig attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in 1987, where he continued his residency in internal medicine.
After completing his residency, Dr. Dorko joined the faculty at UTHSC, practicing at Regional One Health, then known as the Regional Medical Center. He served both the University and Hospital as Medical Director of the Internal Medicine Clinic 1990-2004 and was the Director of the Academic Hospitalist Program 2017-2020. He was appointed Associate Chief of Medicine in 2020. He additionally served on the medical staff of the Memphis VA Medical Center in the Emergency Department.
Dr. Dorko was renowned for his teaching abilities, medical knowledge, work ethic and commitment to the care of the underserved. The students and residents that Dr. Dorko trained thought the world of him and had wonderful things to say about him including: “Dr. Dorko was great to work with. He was a wonderful role model and very considerate of our time and was always gracious in answering questions.” There are no words that can express how much he will be missed.
Mourning his loss, yet rejoicing in his purposeful life, are his survivors; loving wife Felicia Culmer Dorko; daughter Rea (Kalon) McClish; grandchildren, Hannah and Jude Wiseman; father Dr. Nick (Georgia) Dorko, Sr., of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; sisters, Julianne (David) Persson of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Cathy (David) Calovich of Olathe, Kansas; brother, Dr. Nick (Melanie) Dorko, Jr. of Huntsville, Alabama; and nephews, Erik Persson of Charlotte, South Carolina and Daniel (Kaitlynn) Persson of Summerville, South Carolina, as well as a host of extended family, friends, colleagues, patients and students.
The family will receive relative and friends on Saturday, April 17 at 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Riverside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. www.memorialparkonline.com (901)767-8930.
To view the service click the following link:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/northstar/52290/hash:A55BEC1D7A521A50
What’s your fondest memory of Craig?
What’s a lesson you learned from Craig?
Share a story where Craig's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Craig you’ll never forget.
How did Craig make you smile?