Celebrating Annette Torres: 25 Years at Yale

Annette Torres, senior administrative assistant in the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, was recently recognized by the Department of Internal Medicine for her 25th service anniversary at Yale.

Torres came to Yale in July 1997 as a research assistant in epidemiology and public health. During that time, she worked on a study that monitored caffeine intake in pregnant women, interviewing patients by phone and in person. After the study concluded, she moved to Yale Press, where she was responsible for finding and archiving newspaper articles related to Yale University.

In 2000, she joined the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology as an office assistant. Since then, she has risen to the roles of fellowship coordinator and senior administrative assistant, her current position.

Torres manages all administrative activities for the fellowship program, handles the sectional inpatient/outpatient call schedule, maintains all EPIC clinical templates for the section’s clinical practice, oversees conference activities including grand rounds, and assists with website updates and social media.

Torres is the backbone of the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, according to Jessica Santore, manager of clinical operations. “She is knowledgeable, efficient, reliable, and always willing to lend a helping hand regardless of the task,” Santore said. “She has extensive knowledge in all aspects of academic medicine—clinical, education, and research.”

Annette’s attention to detail, organizational skills, and management of complex clinical schedules are exemplary, adds Vaidehi Chowdhary, MD, associate professor of medicine and clinical chief (rheumatology, allergy and immunology). “Once a task is assigned to her, one can rest assured knowing it will be done well, and promptly,” she said, adding that the faculty and fellows place the highest level of trust in her.

A colleague and friend of Torres for many years, Fotios Koumpouras, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine (rheumatology), believes that Torres’s commitment to the section has been invaluable to the clinical and educational programs. “She has been involved from the clinic to grand rounds to education to social events and seen 25 years of fellows graduate from the program,” he said. “She is an indelible facet of the success of Yale Rheumatology.”

A veteran of the Section of Rheumatology, Torres is one of those rare individuals who has lived through new technologies in managing the practice of medicine and academic research, says Mark Mamula, PhD, professor of medicine (rheumatology).

Torres is the glue that keeps rheumatology together, says Joseph Craft, MD, Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) and professor of immunobiology. “She truly embodies institutional citizenship and community spirit,” Craft said.

The sentiment is echoed by Betty Hsiao, MD, assistant professor of medicine (rheumatology, allergy and immunology). “She is so supportive of the fellows and is always there for everyone,” Hsiao said. “Ever since I was a fellow, she has been my go-to person for all things Yale-related.”

Colleagues emphasize that Torres is a delight to work with, noting her positive attitude, “radiant smile,” and “sparkling personality.” The genuine friendships she offers to those on the faculty and staff has made for a wonderful work environment, Mamula adds.

Reflecting on her decades at Yale, Torres has many memorable moments with the section. “From our holiday parties to our graduation dinners, retreats, symposia, and happy hours, I have felt like the section was just another part of my family,” she said. “It is nice to have more than just a professional relationship with people I enjoy working with.”

In the future, Torres looks forward to engaging in new learning opportunities. “My section encourages me to participate in opportunities for growth,” she said. “These opportunities have allowed me to enhance my skills and mentor others.”

The Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is dedicated to providing care for patients with rheumatic, allergic and immunologic disorders; educating future generations of thought leaders in the field; and conducting research into fundamental questions of autoimmunity and immunology. To learn more about their work, visit Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology.