Published:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Announces Executive Changes
RICHARDSON, Texas, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Texas (BCBSTX) has announced that former commissioner of the Texas Department
of State Health Services (TDSHS) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH),
Eduardo J. Sanchez, M.D., has been named vice president and chief medical
officer of BCBSTX, effective May 30, 2008. Most recently, Sanchez served as
the director of the Institute for Health Policy, School of Public Health, The
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
In his new role, Dr. Sanchez, who is a graduate of The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical School atDallas, with a master's in public health from
The University of Texas Health Science Center and a master's in biomedical
engineering from Duke University, will play a key part in helping BCBSTX
fulfill its mission of improving the health and well-being of members and
communities across the state.
"We are pleased that Dr. Sanchez has joined the Blue Cross management
team," says Darren Rodgers, president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofTexas.
"Dr. Sanchez, who has been highly visible in theTexas health care community
for many years, will oversee the Texas Division's medical policy and strategy
as well as the company's new wellness initiative."
Prior to taking the position at The University of Texas Health Science
Center, Sanchez served from 2004 - 2006 as TDSHS commissioner, where he
oversaw the operations of the 11,500-employee state agency responsible for
public health, mental health and substance abuse, includingTexas' health and
medical responses to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As TDH commissioner from
2001 to 2004, Sanchez oversaw the development of the TDH bioterrorism
preparedness operations following 9/11 and the anthrax scare, directed the
agency's efforts to heighten awareness about overweight and obesity issues in
Texas, and led the formation of the TDSHS from four agencies.
He has received honors from many health-related organizations, such as the
Texas Health Institute, American Heart Association and American Academy of
Family Physicians. Currently, he is chair of the National Commission on
Prevention Priorities, chair of the Advisory Committee to the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a member of numerous
professional associations.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofTexas -- the only statewide, customer-owned
health insurer inTexas -- is the largest provider of health benefits in the
state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve
3.8 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofTexas
is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the country's largest
non-investor-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall.
HCSC is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association.
SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofTexas
Copyright © 2009, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze,
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