Dr. Paul Mansfield Honored for Humanity, Kindness: Community Spirit Award Dinner Raises $230,000 for Houston Hospice
HOUSTON (Oct. 23, 2025) – Paul F. Mansfield, M.D., world-renowned surgical oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was lauded by family, friends and colleagues who came together October 14 to celebrate him with the 27th Annual Community Spirit Award. The dinner raised more than $230,000 for Houston Hospice.
Throughout his career in medicine, Mansfield said he has learned to “listen more closely and understand more clearly” when he interacts with his patients and others.
As he wove stories of some of his most memorable patients into his acceptance speech, Mansfield said the one word that comes to mind when he thinks of hospice is laughter. “Because humor is a big part of what makes us human.”
The video tribute honoring Mansfield told the tale of a beloved husband, father, doctor, friend and a “giver.” He gives of his time, friendship, expertise and kindness. He also always has a handkerchief – from his left pocket – to give to a patient facing a tough reality with his hallmark words “this one’s for you.” Unbeknownst to Mansfield, attendees “saluted” him by waving their own handkerchiefs embroidered with his special verse.
“Though every aspect of his work, Paul cares so deeply,” said Jennifer Litton, M.D., M.H.C.M., honorary event chair and mentee of Mansfield. “We are so grateful to him for everything.”
The evening’s festivities were chaired by Michelle and Brian Dean, with honorary chairs Jennifer and Todd Litton. Mansfield was honored by more than 200 guests at the River Oaks Country Club in support of community-based nonprofit, Houston Hospice, which has provided quality, end-of-life care to generations of families in Southeast Texas for almost 50 years.
“I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside Dr. Mansfield,” said Michelle Dean, event chair and former physician assistant to Mansfield. “It’s no wonder with the compassionate care he provides to his patients that he chooses to devote his time to an organization based in compassion and we congratulate him tonight.”
Mansfield was presented with an engraved Baccarat vase followed by a standing ovation. Guests were greeted at the event with fall floral arrangements generously donated by H-E-B.
About Houston Hospice
Founded in 1980, Houston Hospice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality, end-of-life care to patients and their families throughout 13 counties in Southeast Texas. We offer an interdisciplinary team-led approach that includes physicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers, hospice aides, bereavement counselors and volunteers. We provide the appropriate level of comfort care in a setting the patient calls home or in our freestanding inpatient unit. Our holistic view of hospice care is enhanced by the extensive knowledge and expertise of our staff, specialized educational opportunities and community outreach efforts. Houston Hospice is a member of the Texas Medical Center. For more information, visit: houstonhospice.org.