Catherine Torres is resigning as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health after serving in the position for the last 18 months.
Her resignation was announced Monday and is effective Oct. 15.
Gov. Susana Martinez named the Las Cruces pediatrician as secretary of the Health Department in January 2011.
Torres says in a written statement that she is proud of her work with the health department but decided it was time to move on after the death of her mother.
She says also she wants to spend more time with her family.
Deputy Secretary Brad McGrath will assume the duties of secretary until a replacement is appointed.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.