LeeAnne Torres, MD

About Dr. Torres
Sports require teamwork. The same is true when Dr. LeeAnne F. Torres practices orthopedic sports medicine. “I believe in a team-based, patient-centered approach to care, with open communication of expectations and goals. Patients should be cared for in the way one would want their own family member treated.”

In her role, Dr. Torres treats a variety of musculoskeletal issues in people of all ages, using a minimally invasive approach to restore and preserve joints, including the knee, shoulder and hip. “I enjoy working with patients motivated to return to activities so they can meet their goals.”

Dr. Torres decided on a sports medicine career in high school. “Once I was introduced to the student athletic training program as a high school freshman, I began considering a career within sports medicine,” she explains. “After shadowing our team physician and other orthopedic surgeons throughout high school, I was driven to become an orthopedic surgeon.”

Dr. Torres received her bachelor’s degree from the University Notre Dame and her medical degree from Texas A&M College of Medicine, where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA). Dr. Torres is a faculty member on the South Bend-Notre Dame Sports Medicine Fellowship.

But some of the most impactful education has come from her patients. “Patients have taught me that the way you make them feel while caring for them is of utmost importance,” says Dr. Torres.

Dr. Torres is the lead team orthopedic surgeon for Indiana University South Bend, Holy Cross College, and 7 area high schools. “From working with Division One athletes to aid in their return to sport, to providing someone the ability to raise their arm overhead again or walk pain free, maintaining honesty and instilling confidence in my patients is crucial to our success,” says Dr. Torres. “I hope my patients have learned that I am dedicated to working with them to provide the highest level of care necessary to achieve their goals and enhance their quality of life. The ability to care for patients is a privilege that I am grateful to have earned.”

In her own words…
Who are or were the most influential people/role models in your life? My parents have been the most influential individuals in my life; they have served as role models through superior work ethic and dedication to our family.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? My first job was working in the nursery of my church from the time I was in middle school through high school. I remember the range of personalities and responsibilities working with newborns through school-aged children.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? If I could sit down to dinner with anyone, it would be Father Theodore Hesburgh.  His devotion to humanitarian and diversity efforts is inspiring, and he made a significant impact on our world.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  What are your hobbies, interests? In addition to medicine, I am passionate about community service and all sports, both collegiate and professional. I enjoy cooking and baking with my toddler, and experiencing other cultures through travel.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  Most people do not know that I learned to box while training alongside local firefighters in high school while I was earning my EMT certification.