The University of Texas at Austin

Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H is the Director of the Institute for Health Policy at The University of Texas School of Public Health. Dr. Sanchez served as Commissioner of the Texas Department Health from November 2001 through August 2004, overseeing an array of programs from disease prevention, communicable disease control, and preparedness to environmental and consumer safety as well as regulatory services. On September 1, 2004, he became Commissioner of the newly formed Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), which combined public health, mental health and substance abuse. He served as Commissioner of DSHS until October 2006.

Sanchez was in active family medicine practice in Austin, Texas from 1992 to 2001. In addition, he served as health authority and chief medical officer for the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department from 1994 to 1998. He played a critical role in helping to create the Texas Association of Local Health Officials in 1997.

He received his medical degree in 1988 from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and holds master's degrees in public health from the UT School of Public Health and in biomedical engineering from Duke University. He also has bachelor's degrees from Boston University in biomedical engineering and chemistry.

The American Academy of Family Physicians presented Dr. Sanchez with the 2005 Public Health Award for his contributions to public health in Texas and beyond. He also received the Louis B. Russell Memorial Award, in 2004, from the American Heart Association for outstanding service to minority populations.

Education

M.D., The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; master's degrees in public health from the UT School of Public Health; master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University; bachelor's degrees, Boston University in biomedical engineering and chemistry.

Current Positions

Director, Institute for Health and Policy at LBJ School

Previous Positions

Commissioner, Texas Department of State Health Services (2004 – 2006); Commissioner, Texas Department Health (2001 – 2004); Health Authority and Chief Medical Officer, Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department (1994 – 1998)

Health Care Policy