Salvador and Irma de la Torre
Salvador and Irma de la Torre retired in 2010 after 34 years of mission service.
Dr. Salvador and Irma de la Torre are a husband and wife doctor-nurse team who have extensive teaching and clinical experience at hospitals and universities in Mexico, Haiti and Kenya.
Sal is a consultant to the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHOK), the overarching agency for all Christian hospitals, including three hospitals of PC(USA)’s partner church, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). He helps medical institutions improve their management systems.
Sal is also the project manager for the U.S. government-sponsored aid program for people with HIV/AIDS, which is called PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. In this role, Salvador makes sure that the 9,000 patients with HIV get the drugs and the equipment necessary for antiretroviral therapy for HIV.
Irma helps the PCEA set up primary schools and builds community leadership.
During their prior appointment the de la Torres were on staff at Kikuyu Hospital in Kikuyu, Kenya, a mission hospital of the PCEA. Kikuyu Hospital is the oldest mission hospital in Kenya, established in 1908, and currently has three units: the General Hospital, the Eye Unit and the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Unit. It is located about 20 kilometers from Nairobi in an agricultural area.
The de la Torres have served in mission with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) previously in Haiti from 1977 to 1982 and in Zambia from 1986 to 1996.
Salvador was born in Mexico and educated at the National University Autonomous of Mexico. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry, biology and science from the Escuela Preparatoria, a medical and surgery degree from the Faculty of Medicine and a degree as specialist in administration of institutions of higher education from the division of postgraduate studies at the Business Administration School.
Irma is also a native of Mexico, born in Yajalon, Chiapas. She earned a nursing degree at La Luz Hospital in Morelia, Michoacan, which is associated with the University of Mexico.
Irma and Salvador have three adult children, Jesus Salvador, Ana Rosa and Rodrigo. The de la Torres are members of the Presbyterian Church of Yajalon, Chiapas, Mexico.
Birthdays:
Irma - April 10
Salvador - January 15
