In Memoriam: Dolores Sands, 1930-2018

Dolores Sands, former dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin, died on October 22, 2018. She was 88 years old.

Dr. Sands began her career in higher education as a professor at Arizona State University. During her tenure at Arizona State, she served as director of the Graduate Program in Nursing Administration, acting dean, assistant dean for research and resources, and assistant dean for the baccalaureate program.

Eventually, Dr. Sands was recruited to the University of Texas to direct nursing research. From 1984 to 1989, she was a professor and the director of the Center of Health Care Research and Evaluation (now the Cain Center for Nursing Research). In 1989, she was named dean of the School of Nursing and served in that role for 20 years. Upon her retirement in 2009, she was named dean emerita in honor of her distinguished career.

At the University of Texas, Dr. Sands conducted major research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health. She was honored frequently for her contributions to the field of nursing including being named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

“The impact of Dean Sands’ leadership is immeasurable and ranges from her efforts to build the research productivity of the school, strengthening the PhD program and leading the implementation of our first nurse practitioner programs,” said Alexa Stuifbergen, current dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin. “She was dedicated to students, faculty, staff and most of all the profession of nursing. We are grateful for her many contributions to the school that will continue to live on  —  including her influence on many of us.”

Dr. Sands held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Wayne State University in Detroit. She earned a doctorate from Arizona State University.