Carlos M. Sanchez is a Senior Researcher, who holds the position of Genetics Public Education Project Director at the Center. As the leader of this state-wide project since 2004, he is responsible for a partnership of diverse organizations, local universities, and genetic professionals working to increase genetic awareness in Illinois . He has also conducted genetic education needs assessment using focus groups with genetic consumers and e-mail surveys from genetics service providers.
Prior to his work in the Genetic Education Project, Sanchez conceptualized, designed, wrote, and prepared a set of bilingual modules and presentations on diabetes-related eye disease for a project funded by the National Eye Institute. The project included testing educational materials with focus groups of Hispanic and African-American consumers. Sanchez also conducted workshops for community health workers to test a curriculum for the project.
In 2003, Sanchez received a Cancer Research Fellowship from Redes En Accion-National Network Center- Baylor College of Medicine, which gave him the opportunity for training in cancer clinical trials. He also conducted an assessment of barriers to minority participation in cancer clinical trials in Chicago and the Midwest through a review and analysis of a database of cancer survivors from a survey conducted by Midwest Latino Health Research and Policy Center (MLHRC).
Sanchez' involvement in research and evaluation for other Center projects includes: chair of public relation committee for the Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities(CEED); develop and update educational materials for the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) curriculum in Spanish and English; assist with the evaluation of a partnership to reduce asthma and obesity in Latino schools. He lead a National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) funded project to test educational materials and develop a culturally competent bilingual curriculum for recent Latino immigrants on prevention of injuries related to traffic safety and facilitated several focus groups with Latino immigrants and community-based organizations in San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Tucson, as well as a pilot Train of Trainer in Washington, D.C. at the completion of the project.
Sanchez has made numerous presentations and conducted many trainings on various health topics, such as these few selected examples:
- Genetics and Family Health History Workshop for bilingual community health workers. Chicago , March 2009.
- Family History of Type 2 Diabetes in African American and Latinos. American Public Health Association Conference, San Diego , October, 2008.
- Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP). Workshops for CHWs from community based organization and Michael Reese Hospital , Chicago , 2005-2006.
- Health Care Services to Develop a Diabetes Hispanic/Latino Network. CDC Forum. Atlanta , 2005.
- Alcohol and Tobacco Behaviors in Female Breast Cancer Survivors. Forum on chronic diseases of the Americas and the Caribbean, Puerto Rico , 2004.
Sanchez received his MD in Medicine and General Surgery, with a Specialty in Gynecology and Obstetrics in Peru, where he practiced medicine for fifteen years, including nine in Ob/gyn. As Assistant Professor, he taught university courses in gynecology and obstetrics and he also made numerous presentations in this field.
