Eduardo J. Sanchez, MD, MPH 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 of Health from November 2001 through August 2004, overseeing an array of programs including disease prevention, communicable disease control, preparedness, environmental and consumer safety, and regulatory services.

As Commissioner, Dr. Sanchez helped manage the consolidation of the state's public health, mental health and substance abuse agencies into one health-related agency. On September 1, 2004, he became Commissioner of the newly formed Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). In 2005, as both Commissioner of DSHS and the state's health officer, Dr. Sanchez helped direct the health and medical response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He served as Commissioner of DSHS until October 2006.

Dr. Sanchez practiced family medicine in Austin, Texas from 1992 to 2001. In addition, he served as the public health 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.

Dr. Sanchez is the recipient of the 2007 Texas Health Institute Fratis L. Duff, M.D. Memorial Award "for outstanding contributions to public health in Texas". 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.