81R28273 JH-D
By: Martinez Fischer H.R. No. 2003
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of San Antonio lost an accomplished
physician with the tragic death of Dr. Michael J. Sanchez on January
11, 2009, at the age of 52; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanchez had been the emergency center medical
director at University Hospital since August 2008 and had
previously established a notable career in medicine that included
service in the United States Air Force and at Southeast Baptist
Hospital in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, A New Mexico native, Dr. Sanchez completed his
undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma and was named a
distinguished graduate with honors of that institution in 1984; he
went on to serve as a physician's assistant in the air force, and
his colleagues, impressed by his abilities, recommended that he
attain a medical degree; after earning his M.D. in 1990 from the
University of New Mexico School of Medicine, he completed his
internship and residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland
Air Force Base; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sanchez served as research director of the Joint
Military Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston from 1996 to 1998 and
then spent three years directing the Emergency Medical Department
at the United States Air Force Academy; during that period, he was
selected to be part of the medical team aboard Air Force One and
accompanied President Bill Clinton to Pakistan and India; in honor
of his distinguished service, he received the Air Force
Commendation Medal in 1998; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his air force service in 2000, he
became an emergency physician for Baptist Health System in San
Antonio, and in 2003 was named the director of emergency medicine at
Southeast Baptist Hospital; he joined the staff at The University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2006 as an
assistant professor before assuming his duties as the hospital's
emergency center medical director two years later; in his first
five months in that position, Dr. Sanchez had brought about reforms
to enhance efficiency and customer service and reduce waiting times
for patients, and he was at work on plans to institute a residency
program in emergency medicine; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Dr. Sanchez enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, Apelle, and his daughters, Carla
Parker and Suzanne Sanchez; he took great pleasure in spending time
with his family and also enjoyed a number of hobbies, including
sailing and playing the drums; and
WHEREAS, Known for the exceptional enthusiasm and dedication
he brought to his work as well as his extensive medical knowledge
and managerial skill, Michael Sanchez made a positive difference in
many lives over the course of his career, and he will be warmly
remembered and greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to
know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Michael J. Sanchez
and extend deepest condolences to his family: to his wife, Apelle
Sanchez; to his daughters, Carla Parker and her husband, Jim, and
Suzanne Sanchez; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Michael
Sanchez.