(Austin, TX, March 10, 2026) – Texas New Mexico Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (TNMHPO) is proud to honor Chaplain Art Toombs with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing more than 23 years of extraordinary service to hospice care in Texas. This award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of hospice, embody its core values, and have dedicated at least 20 years to service.

Chaplain Art Toombs began his journey in service on the baseball field as the starting shortstop for the University of Houston, playing in the 1967 College World Series final—the only time the school reached a championship game. The discipline, character, and calm resilience he developed on the field seamlessly translated to a life of compassionate hospice ministry.

Art entered hospice chaplaincy in 2002, serving with distinction at Good Shepherd Hospice (later Odyssey), Spirit Hospice, St. Michael’s Hospice, Family First Hospice, Divine Mercy Hospice, Encompass Hospice, Anew Hospice, and AlēvCare Hospice. Often serving as both Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator, he has guided countless families through end-of-life care and grief with calm, presence, and pastoral wisdom. His excellence has been recognized repeatedly, including being named top staff Chaplain at St. Michael’s Hospice in 2007 and 2008. Families frequently request Art by name to officiate funerals, a testament to the trust and impact he has cultivated over his career.

As one of the first team members of AlēvCare Hospice, Art played a pivotal role in establishing the agency’s spiritual and cultural foundation. Beyond hospice, he has produced over 1,300 pages of Bible commentary online through ArtToombsMinistries.com and serves as an adult Sunday School teacher at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, extending his ministry far beyond the bedside.

“What I value most about Art is the way he embodies the heart of hospice, not through grand gestures, but through presence. He listens without rushing, he carries peace into chaotic moments, and he ministers with a humility and steadiness that make people feel safe,” said David Dowd, President & CEO of AlēvCare Hospice. “His influence has shaped thousands of patient and family experiences, strengthened countless colleagues, and helped build the very soul of our organization.”

TNMHPO’s Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate long-term dedication, outstanding contributions, and exemplify the core values of hospice. Chaplain Art Toombs’ career reflects a profound commitment to these ideals, making him a truly deserving recipient.

“As Art retires after more than 23½ years of chaplaincy, he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, one rooted in faith, compassion, and a life spent walking alongside others in their most vulnerable seasons,” said Dowd.