Service Announcement for Sabrina Pickens PhD, ANP-BC, GNP-BC

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a valued member and former President of TX GAPNA.

Dr. Pickens passed away Feb 11, 2024, just six days before her 54th birthday.

She was a valued member of GAPNA and in 2022 was presented the GAPNA Excellence in Research Award.  She was president elect and then president for 2022-2023.  She was a valued member of the nursing community.  

Dr. Pickens will be remembered for her meaningful contributions to the Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health Houston and to the field of gerontological nursing.  She was a widely published expert on the topics of elder abuse and self-neglect and had just received a Gold Award from the Good Samaritan Foundation in December 2023.  

Dr. Pickens served as an assistant professor at Cizik School of Nursing from 2012 to 2021 and later taught at Texas Women's University.  She earned her MSN and PhD from UTHealth Houston after receiving her BSN from the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio. 

Pickens is survived by her daughter, Maggie Pace, and her sister Lisa Chavana.  Services are scheduled for 1pm, March 2, 2024 at Lakewood Church in Houston.  The family asks attendees to wear purple, Dr. Pickens favorite color.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to UTHealth Houston P.O. Box 20268 Houston, TX 77025-9998 or https://giving.uth.edu/memorial .  A scholarship fund is being established in her name.  

Credit for above writing goes to Diane Santa Maria DrPH, RN, PHNA-BC, ACRN, FSAHM, FAAN