Hyman Cyril "Doc" Tolmas

Hyman "Doc" Cyril Tolmas, M.D., 93, passed away on November 11, 2015, Veterans Day, after a brief illness. He was born in New Orleans, LA to Charles Tolmas and Cecile Bressler Tolmas. Medicine was his passion in life. A pediatrician, he had a distinguished career in New Orleans where he practiced medicine for 55 years treating three generations of patients. He loved helping people, particularly children, and his patients' parents loved the unhurried, individual attention he gave to them. Doc received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Tulane University. In 1950, he married the love of his life, Connie Cohen Tolmas, in Dallas, TX. He was still practicing medicine when Hurricane Katrina hit and brought Doc and Connie to Dallas. Doc was one of the pioneers in the pediatric subspecialty of Adolescent Medicine. He lectured extensively on the subject for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. He lectured locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally, including in Israel and Australia. In New Orleans, he was one of the founders of the Greater New Orleans Pediatric Society. He also ran a 15-year community program for parents and teenagers called "Coping with Adolescence: The Challenging Years". He also headed a polio vaccination drive in New Orleans. He served on the boards of many hospitals in New Orleans, including as Chairman of the Board of Mercy Hospital. He was a clinical professor of pediatrics and taught for many years at both Tulane and LSU Medical Schools. Also, he served on the admissions committee of Tulane Medical School for years. Additionally, he was the class agent for the 1945 Medical Class. He received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tulane Medical Alumni Association. He was active in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society for Adolescent Medicine and served on numerous committees of both organizations. In 1985, he was honored to receive an award from the Section on Adolescent Health of the American Academy of Pediatrics for his community service to adolescents. He was also presented with the Spirit of Charity Award in 2004 by the Medical Center of Louisiana Foundation awarded to a physician who trained at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and who has made a significant contribution to medicine. He served as the interim President of Congregation Anshe Sfard in New Orleans for 27 years. After he moved to Dallas, he retired from the active practice of medicine, but many of his patients from New Orleans continued to call him for medical advice or just wishing to remember him and connect with him. As late as two weeks ago, over ten years after Katrina, an old patient called him just to visit with him over the phone. In Dallas, he continued his community service becoming involved in his synagogue, Congregation Tiferet Israel. There he re-created his program, "Coping with Adolescence: The Challenging Years". He also served on the Board of Directors of Tiferet Israel. In 2013, he and Connie were honored by the synagogue. Doc and Connie, along with their children and daughter-in-law, were also honored in New Orleans in 2014 by the Jewish Children's Regional Service. Doc and Connie were also honored this month by the Bnai Zion Foundation. Doc was also a proud member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 256 in Dallas, as well as the New Orleans post. He served in the United States Navy during and after World War II. His priorities were his family, his faith, his patients, his community, and the State of Israel. He was a kind, respectful, generous, deeply religious, and grateful man - a true gentleman and mensch. He will be profoundly missed. We are grateful to have had him with us for almost 94 years. Hyman was predeceased by his parents, sister Dorothy Horton, and brothers Gerson and Oscar and niece, Cheri Horton. He is survived by his loving wife, Connie, daughter Dr. Jeanie Tolmas, son and daughter-in-law Alan and Gina Tolmas and two granddaughters, Sheina Tolmas and Cara Tolmas. He is also survived by niece Rae Horton and nephew Dr. Joseph Horton along with many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral services were held in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Congregation Tiferet Israel, 10909 Hillcrest Rd. at 12:30pm followed by burial at Sparkman Hillcrest on Northwest Highway. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Tiferet Israel, Bnai Zion Foundation Jewish Childrens' Regional Service or Jewish War Veterans Post 256, or the charity of your choice.