Commissioner Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H.
Department of State Health Services

Texas Commissioner of Health Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., heads the Texas Department of Health with a staff of about 5,000 and an annual budget of $1.7 billion. Dr. Sanchez oversees one of the largest laboratories in the world plus programs ranging  from immunizations  and environmental health to epidemiology and disease prevention and control.
Dr. Sanchez became Commissioner of Health on November 5, 2001. He considers the problem of obesity a public health issue of highest priority and has listed nutrition and physical activity as the first of five priorities for the Texas Department of Health. Other priorities include: fully immunizing children and adults; eliminating health disparities; public health preparedness; and improving business practices to support a more efficient, effective agency.

A family practice physician in Austin since 1992, he also served as the Health Authority and Chief Medical Officer for the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department.

Dr. Sanchez holds a medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas; a master's in public health from the San Antonio Branch of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; and a master's in biomedical engineering from Duke University. He has bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering and chemistry from Boston University.

Dr. Sanchez grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, is married to Katherine and has four children.