2024 40 Under 40 Honoree: Dr. Orquidia Torres (38)
"Part of the reason I came to Pittsburgh the first time and returned a second time was that having mentorship and support were key for me to come here and stay here."
DR. ORQUIDIA TORRES | PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA
Dr. Orquidia Torres
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Adolescent Medicine Fellowship Director, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
As a child, Dr. Orquidia Torres took career inspiration from her grandmother, a nurse, and her mother, a teacher, and wanted to become a pediatrician. Her time studying at Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at City College of New York eventually sparked more passions — such as a desire to diversify the field of medicine.
The New York native left the Empire State twice for Pittsburgh: first for her University of Pittsburgh master’s degree and fellowship, and then to boomerang to Pitt and UPMC; she’s now committed to supporting those who are underrepresented in her field.
In 2020, she developed UPMC’s anti-racism curriculum for pediatric residents — which led to her receiving the 2023 Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Curriculum. She’s also involved with a Pitt School of Medicine and Arsenal Middle School collaboration that encourages students to pursue STEM vocations.
