Get to Know Fae Torres

Bloomberg Fellow Fae Torres did not take a typical path to public health. With a background in creative writing, clinical research, and psychology, she found her way to the Office for Community Health at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Now, as Executive Director of Operations, she works to connect academic institutions to the communities they serve.

As part of her role with the University, Torres helped design a free, accessible curriculum on the social drivers of health that is now recognized internationally for its interdisciplinary approach and localized adaptation, including translation into Diné, a traditional language of the Navajo Nation. The course is available for free at the University website and is often used by community health workers, social workers, physicians, and nurses who are seeking to expand their understanding and ability to care for marginalized communities.

In addition to developing this curriculum, Torres works closely with the University’s Health Extension Regional Office program, a national pioneer in health extension and culturally competent public health practices, that seeks to expand opportunities for graduate medical and health science students to study and gain experience with diverse populations. She has also begun working on projects specifically focused on reducing substance use and the impacts of substance use in communities across New Mexico.

In a state as geographically vast and culturally rich as New Mexico, Torres knows that one-size-fits-all solutions fall short. With 23 sovereign Native nations and most residents living in rural or frontier areas, building trust is foundational to improving health outcomes. Torres believes the most effective health interventions are designed in partnership with communities, not just implemented on their behalf. “Policy makers need to understand that frameworks rooted in trust and local strengths outperform generic solutions,” she said. “When we invest in upstream approaches, the return on cost, outcomes, and trust is immense.”

As a 2025  Bloomberg Fellow, Torres is channeling national support into regional impact. “New Mexico is often overlooked as a leader in health programming, but the innovation happening here has global relevance,” she said. The Bloomberg Fellowship offers her the tools and network to scale what’s working in New Mexico to other communities facing similar challenges.