After growing up on San Diego he went to St Mary’s University in San Antonio. From there he attended medical school at the university of north Texas HSC in ft worth, Texas. Upon receiving his DO degree he entered the United States Army and completed a residency In Internal medicine. He then served as a staff physician at Darnell army hospital in Ft hood Texas. Following his separation from the military in 2000 he came back to San Antonio and began an active career as a hospitalist. In 2015 he began working with hospice patients and this has been a growing passion.
Lexus Robinson is the Director of Project Management and Social Media Manager, playing a vital role in both operations and digital outreach. In her project management role, she works side by side with the owner to oversee operations, ensuring efficiency and seamless execution across all aspects of the organization. With excellent attention to detail and a strategic mindset, Lexus is committed to optimizing workflows and maintaining smooth day-to-day functions. As Social Media Manager, she is passionate about delivering educational content that informs and empowers the community, using her expertise to enhance engagement and visibility.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Lexus is a devoted wife and mother, drawing motivation from her family. She values a simple and fulfilling lifestyle, cherishing the time spent with her husband and son. Whether managing large-scale projects or curating impactful content, Lexus brings dedication, precision, and a deep passion for her industry to everything she does.
Ashton Balyeat serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Abundant Hospice, where he leads the clinical team with compassion and dedication. He ensures patients and families receive the highest quality of care while providing education to help them navigate the hospice journey with peace and understanding. Having undergone two kidney transplants and surviving cancer twice, Ashton brings unique empathy and resilience to his role. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, working out, and gaming, and is known affectionately as “Tow Mater,” a nickname that reflects his humor and perseverance.
Christine Rico is a highly motivated and compassionate sales professional with over 17 years of experience in the hospice industry. Her dedication to improving the quality of life for patients and supporting their families has been the driving force behind her career. Known for her resilience, strong work ethic, and client-focused approach, Christine builds trusting relationships with patients, families, and colleagues. She has received extensive sales training, including Best in Class Client Focus Sales Training through Odyssey Hospice, where she was honored with the Pinnacle Award for two consecutive years. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she effectively connects with a diverse range of clients, ensuring their needs are prioritized.
Christine is committed to professional growth and staying updated on best practices in hospice care. Currently, she is restructuring the Abundant Hospice brochure to streamline their offerings and highlight what sets them apart. She is also actively promoting Abundant Hospice through community education, collaborating with Loss of Life advocates to conduct workshops and raise awareness. Christine’s passion for hospice care, combined with her dedication to excellence, continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those she serves.
Jack Ruffin, Spiritual Care Director at Abundant Hospice, is a retired U.S. Army veteran with degrees in Christian Ministry and Divinity, along with certifications in Clinical Pastoral Education and Palliative Care. Deeply rooted in faith, Jack provides spiritual guidance, comfort, and hope to patients and families, considering hospice a sacred calling. Active in his church and community, he balances his service with a love of fishing and family, embodying compassion, wisdom, and dedication in every role he fulfills.
With more than a decade of nursing experience, Erick Becerra brings extensive knowledge from acute, post-acute, and leadership roles to his position as Assistant Director of Nursing at Abundant Hospice. After earning his degrees from the Baptist School of Health Professions and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Erick worked in ICU, Case Management, and later as a Director at a Post-Acute hospital. Today, he uses that expertise to guide teams, support families, and ensure patients receive compassionate, quality care marked by dignity and excellence.
Melissa Simons has over 30 years of nursing experience and currently serves as both a Hospice RN Case Manager and Assistant Director of Nursing at Abundant Hospice. Known for her compassion and dedication, she is committed to ensuring patients receive care guided by both excellence and empathy. As a leader, she values mentoring staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. Grounded in faith and family, Melissa treasures time with her three grandchildren, who inspire her to approach both life and nursing with compassion and connection.
Ashlea is a skilled and compassionate Intake Coordinator helping individuals navigate the intake process with ease and professionalism. Specializing in coordinating oncoming referrals and insurance-related matters. Ashlea ensures that every client feels supported and informed from the start. Her attention to detail and commitment to exceptional service make her an invaluable resource in her field, embracing the joy of teamwork and growth.
Outside of work, Ashlea enjoys an active and fulfilling life centered around family. In her free time, enjoying family movie and game nights, outdoor adventures, cheering her kids on with sports or cozy evenings at home, Ashlea’s love for her family fuels her commitment to creating a positive environment for others. Balancing a love for family with a dedication to their career, Ashlea is passionate about creating positive experiences both at work and at home.
Lori Hedgecoth is a dedicated human resources professional with a deep passion for people, kindness, and service. She approaches her work with compassion, ensuring that employees feel valued and supported in their roles. With a servant’s heart, Lori strives to create a positive and nurturing workplace culture, fostering meaningful connections and promoting a strong sense of community within her organization. Her commitment to others extends beyond the workplace, as she finds joy in helping those around her and treating everyone with respect and care.
Outside of work, Lori cherishes her life on a small farm, where she and her family embrace a simple and fulfilling lifestyle. She is a proud wife to a teacher and a devoted mother to her son, who enjoys wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Passionate about cooking from scratch, gardening, and preserving her own food, Lori finds fulfillment in providing for her family and sharing her homemade meals with others. Her love for nature and self-sustainability reflects her dedication to hard work and heartfelt service, values that guide her both personally and professionally.
Sedric Hatnot, a native of San Antonio, Texas, was inspired by his father’s devotion to ministry and developed a deep love for faith and service from an early age. A graduate of Wayland Baptist University, he holds degrees in Christian Ministries and Business, equipping him to lead and serve effectively. For over two decades, Sedric has been actively involved in community ministry, making a meaningful impact on those he serves. As a dedicated Chaplain, he provides spiritual support and guidance, offering comfort and care to individuals and families in need.
Beyond his ministry, Sedric and his wife, Tiffany, have shared a loving marriage for over 21 years and are proud parents to three children. He finds great joy in balancing family life with his professional and spiritual commitments. His passion for extreme sports adds a dynamic and adventurous aspect to his life, reflecting his energetic personality. Through his unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication, Sedric continues to make a lasting impact in his community, embodying the principles of service and love in all that he does.
As the Chief Cuteness Officer of Abundant Hospice, Easton Robinson is the heart and soul of the office, spreading joy, love, and laughter wherever he goes. With his infectious giggles and playful energy, he brings a lighthearted spirit to the team, reminding everyone to embrace life’s little moments. His presence makes every workday brighter, proving that sometimes, the best medicine is a toddler’s smile.
When he’s off duty, Easton enjoys watching Ms. Rachel, playing with his beloved dogs, and exploring the world with endless curiosity. Whether he’s entertaining the team or keeping his furry friends on their toes, he takes his role as CCO very seriously.
After a 20-year career as a Certified Medical Assistant, Cynthia Estrada Cantu began her nursing journey at 43 and quickly found her calling in hospice care. With experience in Women’s Specialty, Oncology, and Hospice at Abundant, she is known for embodying “The True Essence of a Hospice Nurse” through her compassion, storytelling, and bedside care. Cynthia holds multiple degrees, is a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and remains committed to providing care rooted in love, servanthood, and faith while cherishing family time outside of work.
With over 38 years of nursing experience, Donna Valenzuela has dedicated her career to compassionate care in ICU, CCU, Case Management, and most recently, hospice—her true calling. For the past two years, she has found deep meaning in supporting patients at the end of life with dignity and peace. Married for 10 years and a proud mother of two adult children, Donna is also an animal lover with a lively home full of pets. Her nurturing spirit extends to every patient and family she serves at Abundant Hospice.
Born in Brownsville, Texas, Jose Quintero’s commitment to service began in the U.S. Army, where he served four years as a Cavalry Scout. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, he became a Registered Nurse in Charlotte, North Carolina, before joining Abundant Hospice as an RN Case Manager. Guided by his faith, Jose views hospice as a calling and is honored to bring comfort, dignity, and strength to patients and families, combining his military discipline with a heart of compassion.
With 23 years of nursing experience, Tracy Whitehead brings expertise in hospice, ICU, ER, home health, and leadership. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, she began in the NICU before serving as Director of Nursing for hospice and skilled nursing facilities. Her passion for hospice grew deeply personal when she cared for her mother through stage 4 lung cancer, giving her a daughter’s perspective alongside clinical skill. A proud mother of four, Tracy is honored to support families at Abundant Hospice.
Raven Phelps, an RN Case Manager at Abundant Hospice, has over 21 years of experience in ICU, STAT dialysis, wound care, Med-Surg, and postpartum care. A devoted wife and mother of six, she is also an entrepreneur, running both a youth football and cheer organization and a catering business. In her free time, Raven enjoys trading, reading, and continuous learning. Her professional expertise, family devotion, and entrepreneurial drive reflect her passion for growth and her heart for service to patients and families.
Crissi is a dedicated hospice professional with over two years of experience in marketing and business development within the healthcare sector. She specializes in identifying market opportunities, crafting effective strategies, and building strong relationships with key referral sources. With a deep commitment to client well-being, Crissi guides families through critical decisions with clarity and empathy, earning a reputation for excellence in the hospice community. Her ability to navigate the complexities of hospice care ensures that patients and their loved ones receive the highest level of support and service.
Passionate about making a positive impact, Crissi takes pride in exceeding the expectations of the families she serves. Her innovative marketing strategies and strong industry connections have played a crucial role in expanding her hospice organization’s reach. Committed to continuous growth, she actively seeks opportunities to enhance her skills and knowledge in the evolving healthcare landscape. Crissi remains steadfast in her mission to provide compassionate guidance, ensuring that each patient’s final journey is met with dignity, care, and unwavering support.
As a Community Liaison at Abundant Hospice, Jasmine Banda is passionate about building meaningful connections and spreading awareness of hospice care. She brings warmth and enthusiasm to her role, striving to uplift families and the community. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, walking her dog Sasha, and spending time with her son. Jasmine values family time and approaches both personal and professional life with compassion, a fresh perspective, and a genuine heart for service.
As Chaplain at Abundant Hospice, Moriah Flores provides compassionate spiritual support to patients and families. Having experienced hospice firsthand with her late husband of 20 years, she brings empathy and authenticity to her role. With a strong foundation in ministry, she works alongside the interdisciplinary team to honor each patient’s values and life story. Moriah is also active in her community, offering grief support through church outreach. Her faith, compassion, and dedication make her a trusted source of comfort.
Angela Sanchez is a dedicated social worker at Abundant Hospice, where she provides compassionate care and essential support to patients and their families. With a strong foundation in social work, she ensures each patient receives personalized care that addresses their emotional, psychological, and practical needs. Angela’s ability to connect with patients on a personal level allows her to offer meaningful guidance, helping individuals and their loved ones navigate the challenges of end-of-life care with dignity and understanding.
Beyond her direct patient support, Angela collaborates closely with the multidisciplinary team at Abundant Hospice to develop comprehensive care plans tailored to each individual. She is also actively involved in community outreach, raising awareness about the benefits of hospice care through workshops and events. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy and education makes her an invaluable asset to the hospice team, ensuring that every patient receives the highest level of comfort and support during their final journey.
Devoun Robles, part-time Social Worker at Abundant Hospice, has six years of hospice experience and four years in inpatient mental health. A graduate of Lubbock Christian University, she is passionate about helping patients and families navigate the emotional challenges of end-of-life care. Devoun’s calm presence, empathy, and commitment to dignity make her a valued member of the care team. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, the outdoors, and community volunteering, always seeking ways to connect and support others.
Vanessa Cantu is a Certified Nurse Aide with over eleven years of experience in nursing homes, trach units, and hospice care. She serves as the lead aide at Abundant Hospice, supervising, scheduling, and training field aides to ensure quality care. Passionate about helping others, Vanessa finds deep fulfillment in her work and also supports Abundant Staffing when needed. Motivated by her family, she plans to further her education and pursue her nursing degree while continuing her commitment to patients.
Ana M. Luna has served as a CNA at Abundant Hospice for two years, where she finds fulfillment in providing compassionate care to patients and families. She values the supportive, professional environment at Abundant and is committed to growing both personally and professionally. In her free time, Ana enjoys gardening, floral arranging, movies, and family time. Known for her gentle spirit and empathy, she strives to bring dignity, comfort, and kindness to every patient interaction.
Misty Alloy has been a Certified Nursing Assistant since 2012, with nine years dedicated to hospice care. She is known for her empathy, patience, and ability to bring comfort and dignity to patients and families during challenging times. Outside of work, Misty enjoys traveling, being in nature, and making memories with her two daughters at dance competitions. She takes pride in being a steady, compassionate presence for patients, and is honored to serve with the Abundant Hospice team.
Rachel Lopez has been a Certified Nursing Assistant since 2005 and has worked in nursing facilities, home health, and hospice, where her heart truly belongs. Her passion for hospice grew from her desire to care for her own family, a goal she fulfilled with love. Rachel is committed to supporting patients and families with compassion and dignity during life’s most delicate moments. She values the trust placed in her and believes even the smallest acts of kindness can bring peace and comfort.
