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Maria Elena Vega-Sanchez, MD

Maria Elena Vega-Sanchez
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  • Professor of Clinical Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
  • Program Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Specialties

Pulmonary Critical Care

Distinctions
2025 Top Doctors by Philadelphia magazine
4.9
171 Patient Satisfaction Ratings
About Me
Ratings & Reviews
Publications
About Me
Clinical Interests
  • Sleep medicine
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Interstitial lung disease
Highlights

Dr. Vega-Sanchez was featured in two 6 ABC "Moves in Medicine" segments. Watch the videos to learn more about a new at-home test that can diagnose sleep disorders and how sleep apnea sufferers can find much-needed relief in CPAP machines.

Education
  • MD, Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Quito, Ecuador
Training
  • Fellowship, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
  • Fellowship, Sleep Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Board Certifications
  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Critical Care Medicine
  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Pulmonary Disease
  • American Board of Internal Medicine - Sleep Medicine
Memberships
  • American Thoracic Society
  • American College of Chest Physicians
Awards and Honors
  • Top Doctors, Pulmonary Disease, Philadelphia magazine, 2023-2025
  • Most Outstanding Resident, Temple University Hospital
  • Sol Sherry Resident and Fellow Research Forum, Temple University Hospital
Ratings & Reviews

The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Learn more about our Patient Experience Ratings.

Ratings Breakdown

Overall Care
4.9
Explained Things Clearly
4.9
Showed Courtesy & Respect
5.0
Discussed Treatment Options
4.9
Recommend Provider
5.0

Patient Comments

4.9 out of 5 (171 ratings, 45 comments)
04/28/2025

Not bad

04/14/2025

Dr. V is the best!

04/07/2025

Dr. Maria Elena Vega Sanchez is absolutely terrific!

04/04/2025

I am so happy that I switched my pulmonary care to Dr. Vega. She makes me feel so at ease and is very easy to share my concerns with. She is very thorough in answering any questions I have and never makes me feel rushed. I highly recommend her. 5 stars!

03/31/2025

Dr. Vega is the best! She cares about you and listens to you!

Offices

Office Locations

Temple Lung Center

3401 N. Broad St

Ambulatory Care Center, 5th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Phone: 800-836-7536

Temple Health Oaks

450 Cresson Boulevard

Oaks Corporate Center, Suite 200

Phoenixville, PA 19460

Phone: 800-836-7536

Publications
Digital Bibliography
Publications

Contributing author of "Smoking and Lung Inflammation: Basic, Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research Advances" book sponsored by Springer Science and Business Media. Submitted for publication.

Paz-y-Mino C, Vega ME, Jervis P, Sanchez ME, Leone PE. Consejo Genetico. Metro Ciencia 2003:Vol. 12(2): 5-9.

Vega Sanchez ME, Marchettti N. 36-Year-Oid Woman with Chronic Cough and Pulmonary Nodules [internet]. New York: American Thoracic Society; 2008 [updated 2009 July 1].

Lammi M, Panetta N, Vega ME. Beyond The Blue: What Fellows Are Reading In Other Journals. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012; 185: 1323-24.

Krachman SL,  Tiwari R, Vega ME, Yu D, Soler X, Jaffe F, Kim V, Swift I,  D’Alonzo GE,  Criner GJ. Effect of Emphysema Severity on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Smokers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016. Jul:13(7):1129-35.

Vega ME, Civic B. A Tension Bulla Mimicking Tension Pneumothorax. N Engl J Med 2011; 365(20): 1915.

Vega Sanchez ME, Steiner R. Images in COPD: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis (Miami). 2015;2(4): In press. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15326/jcopdf.2.4.2015.0162

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311 Temple Health Physicians Named ‘Top Doctors’ by Philadelphia Magazine

Posted April 18, 2025

Three hundred eleven (311) Temple Health physicians have been named to Philadelphia magazine’s “Top Doctors” list for 2025. Physicians on the list were nominated by their professional peers from across the region.

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Dr. Robert Satriale and Dr. Maria Elena Vega Sanchez Featured in MD/Alert Video Series on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Posted February 21, 2025

Dr. Satriale discussed FDA approval of Tirzepatide to treat OSA, while Dr. Vega offered insight on a study that found a multidisciplinary approach can improve access for surgical treatment.

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310 Temple Health Physicians Named ‘Top Doctors’ by Philadelphia Magazine

Posted April 22, 2024

These Temple Health physicians practice at Main Campus, Fox Chase, Jeanes Campus, Episcopal Campus, Chestnut Hill Hospital, Temple Physicians, Inc. and Fair Hill Community Physicians.

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