Texas Health Commissioner Eduardo Sanchez Will Direct
Policy Institute at UT School of Public Health
HOUSTON – (Aug. 21, 2006) – Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, will become director of the Institute for Health Policy in The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, effective Oct. 7.
Sanchez served as commissioner and chief health officer for the State of Texas for just short of five years, leading an agency with more than 11,500 employees and an annual budget of about $2.3 billion. His resignation from that post is effective Oct. 6.
Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., (left) new director of the Institute for Health Policy, meets with UT School of Public Health Dean Guy Parcel, Ph.D. (Photo by Michele Mocco)
“Dr. Sanchez is a nationally recognized authority in public health, with a highly distinguished record of accomplishment as a leader in the field,” said Guy Parcel, Ph.D., dean of the UT School of Public Health. “In his new role, he will provide leadership and direction for the Institute, and help forge partnerships and relationships with other health policy centers, governmental agencies and academic institutions throughout the country.”
The Institute for Health Policy, which is the only university-wide institute dedicated primarily to the study of health policy in Texas, was created to help researchers translate their technical findings into usable advice for program administrators and practical recommendations for health policymakers. It also will serve as a catalyst for new research relevant to public policy and will broker opportunities for faculty members to apply their expertise to health policy issues.
“I believe that lessons learned during my tenure as state health commissioner can become lessons taught during my tenure as director of the Institute for Health Policy,” Sanchez said. “I look forward to doing what I can to incorporate cost-effective, evidence-based actions into the everyday practice of those working to prevent disease and improve the public’s health in Texas and across the nation.”
A recent example of the work of the Institute for Health Policy is the formation last year by Houston Mayor Bill White of a task force to identify the ambient air pollutants most likely to cause significant health risks for current and future residents of the Greater Houston area. The institute organized and coordinated the work of a group of experts from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University and the UT School of Public Health. The Task Force’s final report to Mayor White on June 12 ranked relative health risks from more than 179 hazardous air pollutants for which federal regulatory standards have yet to be developed.
“The Institute for Health Policy, under the leadership of Dr. Sanchez, will serve as a major resource to assist program directors and policy makers in improving health care and promoting health for the people of Texas,” said James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston. “Dr. Sanchez’ experience and passion for public health is exactly what we need to lead this important program.”
Sanchez is a board-certified family practice physician, actively practicing in Austin from 1992 to 2001. He also served as health authority and chief medical officer for the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department from 1994 to 1998.
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.
Sanchez, 47, grew up in Corpus Christi. He is married to Katherine Sanchez and has four children.
Interim Director Stephen H. Linder, Ph.D., will continue as associate director of the Institute for Health Policy, working in partnership with Sanchez. Linder also is an associate professor in three divisions of the UT School of Public Health.
Media Contact: David Mendel
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