It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Benfard E. Hicks, MD, FAAP, who died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, January 19, 2008. The loss of Dr. Hicks is a tragedy for his family, patients and colleagues.

Dr. Hicks was an extraordinary pediatrician, a trusted community member and a respected colleague. He cared for countless children in the Katy area, helping to guide them into healthy adulthood, and brought compassionate care along with a high level of medical skill to his patients at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Katy, Texas.

Dr. Hicks joined the Pediatrics Department at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 1996. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Lamar University and earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston where he was inducted to AOA, Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. In addition to completing residency programs at two prestigious institutions, UTHSC at Houston-Hermann Hospital and Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas, he completed a fellowship in Ambulatory Pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital from July 1980 to January 1981.

Dr. Hicks was board certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Texas Medical Association. He was a pediatrician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic - Katy, and had admitting privileges to Texas Children's Hospital and The Woman's Hospital, both in Houston.

Dr. Hicks was a member of Parkway United Methodist Church in Sugar Land, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hicks; his children, Benfard E. Hicks, Jr. and Kelly Hicks; his parents, Jim and Fay Hicks; and his siblings, Jimmy Hicks, Kent Hicks, and Melinda Eller, and their families.

In addition to being a dedicated physician, Dr. Hicks was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother. He will be deeply missed.

For those desiring, memorials may be made in Dr. Hick's name to Texas Children's Hospital, at texaschildrenshospital.org.