Texas Gov. Rick Perry Approves Appointment of Eduardo Sanchez As Texas Commissioner of Health

On Sept. 21, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) approved the appointment of Dr. Eduardo Sanchez as Texas Commissioner of Health, following his selection by the state HHS Commissioner and "concurrence" of the state Board of Health. Sanchez, who will begin serving in the position in November, had previously served as health authority for the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department and interim president and "founding member" of the Texas Association of Local Health Officials prior to his selection by state HHS Commissioner Don Gilbert. As commissioner, Sanchez will oversee the Texas Department of Health, which manages approximately 200 "illness prevention, regulatory and health improvement and protection programs" with an annual budget of $1.5 billion. Sanchez replaces William Archer, who resigned from the position in October 2000 (Texas Department of Health release, 9/21).