Sandra G. Adams, MD, MS

Sandra G. Adams, MD, MS, is a tenured professor of medicine in the Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. Additionally, she is deputy chief of pulmonary/critical care at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, where she is also medical director of the pulmonary clinics and respiratory therapy groups.

She completed her medical training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, followed by a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at UT Health San Antonio, where she later earned a master of science degree in clinical investigation.

Dr Adams is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), vice chair of the CHEST Education Committee, and 1 of 5 members of the Executive Education Committee for the entire CHEST organization, which has more than 19,000 members. She is also the founder and president of the not-for-profit WipeDiseases Foundation; its missions are to develop and deliver education to change behavior, promote life-long learning, and improve patient outcomes.

She has received multiple awards and honors, including the Distinguished CHEST Educator Award every year since its inception (2018-2026); the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award in 2025, which is 1 of 10 awards among more than 200 Texas colleges and universities and recognizes superior teaching at the college level; The University of Texas System Board of Regents Outstanding Teaching Award; a Distinguished Teaching Professor of The University of Texas System; the UT Health San Antonio Presidential Teaching Excellence Award; and other awards for teaching excellence.

Dr Adams focuses on educational research to optimally teach health care professionals, patients, and caregivers about asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, proper inhaler technique, tobacco dependence, and other pulmonary conditions to facilitate sustainable changes in behaviors and outcomes. She has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, editorials, reviews, and electronic publications that include instructional videos posted on YouTube and other websites.

Dr Adams has received grants from The University of Texas System, CHEST’s Distinguished Scholar Award in Respiratory Health, and unrestricted grants from industry to develop and implement interprofessional continuing education in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, which has resulted in sustainable changes in clinical practice.