LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — [Aug. 13, 2025] — Methodist Family Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Hammett N. Evans as its new director of pastoral care. In this role, Dr. Evans will lead and oversee pastoral ministry across the organization’s programs, providing spiritual support to children, youth, families and staff throughout the Methodist Family Health continuum of care.
Dr. Evans, an ordained United Methodist pastor, brings more than 30 years of ministry experience to the position, including extensive work in pastoral care, grief counseling and program leadership. Most recently, he served as a chaplain resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he provided compassionate care in palliative, trauma, ICU, NICU and other hospital settings. He has also been a long-time volunteer with Methodist Family Health’s Camp Healing Hearts, offering bereavement support to children and families experiencing loss.
In his new role, Dr. Evans will develop and lead pastoral programs that foster healing, unity and spiritual growth for those served by Methodist Family Health. His responsibilities will include creating age-appropriate worship experiences, providing crisis counseling, coordinating
community outreach and strengthening connections with Arkansas’s United Methodist Churches, the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and other faith communities.
“Dr. Evans’ deep compassion, experience with children and adolescents, and proven leadership in pastoral care make him a tremendous addition to our team,” said Carolee Cook, director of recreational therapy at Methodist Family Health. “His commitment to sharing God’s unconditional love aligns perfectly with our mission of providing the best possible care to those who may need our help.”
A graduate of Hendrix College (B.A. in Religion) and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry), Dr. Evans has served congregations across the Arkansas Annual Conference and has been a leader in United Methodist ministries at both the state and international levels. He is endorsed by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency for chaplaincy and is widely recognized for his inclusive, high-energy approach to ministry.
“I am honored to join Methodist Family Health in this important work,” said Dr. Evans. “I look forward to walking alongside our children, families and staff, helping them experience God’s love, healing and hope in tangible ways.”
Methodist Family Health provides psychiatric, behavioral, emotional and spiritual care to Arkansas children and families through inpatient, outpatient, residential and community-based programs. For more information, visit MethodistFamily.org or call 501-661-0720.
About Methodist Family Health
Since 1899, Methodist Family Health has helped rebuild the lives of Arkansas children and their families who are abandoned, abused, neglected and struggling with psychiatric, behavioral, emotional and spiritual issues. What began as the Arkansas Methodist Orphanage is today a comprehensive, statewide continuum of care that includes Methodist Children’s Behavioral Hospitals in Maumelle and Jonesboro, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, qualified residential treatment programs, a therapeutic day treatment program, outpatient and school-based counseling clinics, Arkansas CARES and Kaleidoscope Grief Center. For more information, visit MethodistFamily.org.