By KRWG News
Las Cruces – New Mexico State University will commemorate National Public Health Week with a special guest lecture from Catherine Torres, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health. Her talk, "Reducing Health Disparities in New Mexico," will take place at 7 p.m. April 6 at the College of Health and Social Services Annex Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Gov. Susana Martinez said she nominated Torres as secretary because of her strong medical, public health and community service background. Torres was also appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the U.S./Mexico Border Health Commission from 1999-2006.
The lecture is part of the Jeffrey E. and Mary T. Brandon Distinguished Lecture Series, held annually at the college.
Torres most recently worked at Rio Grande Medical Group in Las Cruces. She has served as a medical director for First Step Pediatrics, a clinic that provides medical services for underserved children in Southern New Mexico. In addition to her medical background, she has actively been involved in many community projects throughout Dona Ana County.