Marlen Torres Takes the Helm as Chief Officer at Gold Coast Health Plan

Marlen Torres Appointed as Chief Member Experience and External Affairs Officer at Gold Coast Health Plan

Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) has welcomed Marlen Torres as its Chief Member Experience and External Affairs Officer, a critical appointment aimed at enhancing member satisfaction and engagement within Ventura County's local Medi-Cal plan. Torres, a native of Oxnard, has been with GCHP since 2014, steadily advancing through roles that demonstrate her commitment to public health and community service.

Dr. Felix Nuñez, the acting CEO of GCHP, emphasizes Torres’s leadership qualities, noting her profound understanding of member needs and her capability to foster essential partnerships. This makes her ideally suited for the role. As she steps into this pivotal position, Torres is focused on ensuring the highest quality of care is accessible for all members, advocating for their interests in both local and federal forums.

In her new capacity, Torres is set to implement cutting-edge survey tools and data analysis strategies to better understand and respond to member needs. This analytical approach is designed to improve the overall member experience, making GCHP not only a healthcare provider but also a community partner invested in the well-being of its constituents.

"As someone who has grown up here, I take personal pride in understanding the diverse health needs of our members," says Torres. "My mission is to create a health plan that listens to the voices of our members and prioritizes their unique situations and familial needs."

With a decade of experience at GCHP, Torres has previously held positions such as manager of government and external relations, leading initiatives to ensure a robust connection between the organization and its members. Her background includes a notable stint as the executive director of strategy and external affairs, where she monitored and influenced policy initiatives relevant to GCHP's mission.

In a significant professional development moment, Torres participated in a policy fellowship in 2018 through the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), deepening her knowledge of federal Medicaid policies. Here, she authored a white paper that underscored the connection between education, employment, and health outcomes, which was discussed during a U.S. Senate policy forum.

In addition to her role at GCHP, Torres actively contributes to the community as a member of the Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board and has previously served on the City of Oxnard's Commission on Homelessness. Her academic credentials include an M.B.A. from California Lutheran University and a B.A. in History and Chicana/o Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Since its inception in 2011, Gold Coast Health Plan has been dedicated to enhancing health access for its nearly 250,000 Medi-Cal members through a vast network of healthcare providers, including primary care physicians and hospitals. GCHP serves a significant portion of Ventura County's population, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and seniors, demonstrating its commitment to improving community health outcomes. As Marlen Torres embarks on this new phase in her career, her leadership may well shape the future of healthcare accessibility in Ventura County, prioritizing member needs at the forefront of GCHP’s mission.