Dr. John Paul Sánchez Named Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

John Paul Sánchez, MD, has been selected to serve as the Executive Associate Vice Chancellor in the HSC Office for Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Sánchez brings a unique set of skills and experiences amassed throughout his career, including working as a health department epidemiologist, founder and board member of several community-based organizations, dean for diversity and inclusion, health care provider, researcher and educator. 

"Dr. Sánchez has already had a tremendous impact since joining UNM, and will be a phenomenal addition in co-leading efforts to create, organize, and align DEI efforts across the HSC," said Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Sanchez has dedicated more than 25 years to diversity, equity and inclusion-related work and is nationally recognized for pioneering pre-faculty development He has published 52 peer-reviewed publications and six book chapters, and served as editor for Succeeding in Academic Medicine: A Roadmap for Diverse Medical Students and Residents (Springer).

His publications have highlighted the voices of many groups including women, sexual and gender minorities, under-represented racial and ethnic minorities (Hispanic, African-American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian), especially through an intersectional lens.

"Dr. Sanchez has extensive knowledge of national DEI best practices, among many other impressive attributes," Romero-Leggott said. "He brings to the position exceptional leadership experience working with diverse populations through student advising, teaching and curriculum development, community organizing, quantitative and qualitative research, academic publishing, and pre-faculty and faculty development."

Sanchez received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed his residency training at Jacobi/Montefiore, and is board certified in emergency medicine. He completed a master of public health degree, with a concentration in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, from the Yale School of Public Health. He is of Puerto Rican ancestry, gay-identified and was raised in the Bronx, New York.