Torres honored with President's Public Service Award

M. Idalí Torres, associate professor of Public Health, was among six faculty members from across the University system honored Feb. 6 with the President’s Public Service Award.

President Jack M. Wilson presented the awards at a reception for the recipients at the University of Massachusetts Club in Boston. The awards are given annually to faculty members who have been nominated by the chancellors of their respective campuses for providing exemplary public service to the Commonwealth.

A member of the faculty since 1992, Torres was recognized for her longstanding dedication to enhancing the public health of communities and addressing public health issues throughout Western Massachusetts, with a particular focus on the cities of Springfield and Holyoke.

To achieve her goal of developing a greater understanding of Puerto Rican women's socio-behavioral strategies to promote and protect health and identify culturally constructed opportunities for health education interventions, she has emphasized the creation of partnerships with organizations such as Caring Health Center and Partners for a Healthier Community.

Her work has focused on a wide variety of public health issues, ranging from HIV/AIDS prevention to diabetes education to sexual health education for youths.

This past year, she resurrected a partnership between the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and the state Department of Public Health to address the need for advanced professional training for school health teachers and staff. She was also appointed to Gov. Deval Patrick’s Health Care Working Group during his transition period.

Also honored were Gary Siperstein, Boston; Memory Holloway, Dartmouth; Kay George Roberts and Fred Martin of Lowell; and Stephen Doxsey of the Medical School.

“This is the 10th anniversary of the University’s President’s Public Service Awards and this year’s winners continue in the impressive tradition of the earlier recipients,” said Wilson. “These six professors are outstanding examples of public service—they have a passion for their professional fields and a commitment to their students and colleagues, but also an exemplary commitment to community engagement and service. Their achievements are a credit to all of the dedicated, talented and hard-working faculty members who teach at our campuses and also contribute so much to our communities, locally, state-wide, nationally and globally.”

Since the inception of the President’s Public Service Awards in 1998, a total of 59 faculty members have received the honor. The State House will host an exhibit, featuring photos and information about this year’s winners, in Doric Hall from Feb. 19-29.

More Information

President’s Public Service Award winners

February 7, 2008.

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