Following completion of his training, Dr. Torres accepted a position as faculty in the Department of Anesthesia at Moffitt Cancer Center providing pain relief through minimally invasive procedures. He also received an Academic appointment as a clinical assistant professor in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of South Florida and Department of Neurology where he worked directly with the education of residents and Pain Medicine Fellows.

What is Board Certified?

To practice medicine, a physician must be a medical school graduate, fulfill applicable residency requirements, and meet approval by the state’s official medical board. However, not all physicians are board certified in the specialties they practice.

With board certification, in addition to the basic education, a doctor must meet additional training requirements. A board certified physician goes through an application process and must pass additional standardized examinations. In short, board certification is a rigorous process signifying a physician has a certain level of expertise.

Although board certification is not a requirement to practice medicine, board certification is an extra step physicians can take to assure patients they have met specialty training requirements in their field.

Board certification gives doctors access to resources to stay up-to-date within their specialties and maintain their competency in the field. Since medicine is an evolving field, the learning does not stop once a physician is board certified. ABPMR board certified physicians follow a rigorous schedule to maintain their certification, including continuing education.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

Physicians specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are also known as Physiatrists. They treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

As a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Torres is dedicated to caring for the whole person, including treating pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.

Fellowship Trained Pain Specialist

The widely accepted standard for pain management education is a fellowship that consists of additional training beyond residency for at least one year.

After physicians are board certified in their primary specialty and have completed an accredited fellowship, they become eligible for sub-specialty board certification in pain management. There are only three board certifications in pain management recognized by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). A physician can be certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Anesthesiology, or the American Board of Psychiatry and The American Board of Neurology.

A Fellowship Trained Pain Specialist, therefore, is a physician who trained at least one year beyond the four years of residency in the area of pain management.

Dr. Torres completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Toledo, followed by an ACGME accredited 2-year Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of South Florida. He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine through the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

More About Dr. Torres

Dr. Torres graduated from medical school at Ohio University in 2005. His Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was at the University of Toledo Medical Center from 2006 to 2009. Fellowship training in Pain Medicine was at the University of South Florida from 2009 to 2011.

Dr. Torres completed his medical training in 2011, after a 2-year Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of South Florida (USF). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), which is responsible for accrediting the majority of graduate medical training programs for Residencies and Fellowships in the United States.

Today, Dr. Torres is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine through the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition, Dr. Torres is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of South Florida and Department of Neurology. At USF, Dr. Torres works directly in the education of residents and Pain Medicine Fellows.

Dr. Torres’ Professional Memberships

Novus Spine & Pain Center

Novus Spine & Pain Center was established by Dr. Torres with the premise of providing the highest quality pain management care to patients. Using a comprehensive approach and cutting edge therapies, we work together to restore your function and regain your active lifestyle while minimizing the need for opiates.

To schedule an appointment, please contact us online, request a call back, or call our office at 863-583-4445.

Board Certified Pain Medicine Specialist Resources

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR.org)
American Academy of Pain Medicine (PainMed.org)
Fellowship (medicine) (Wikipedia)
Not all Physicians are Board Certified in the Specialties They Practice (American Board of Physician Specialties)
Benito Torres DO (WebMD)
Benito M. Torres, DO (PrimeInc.org)
Benito Torres, DO
The specialty of chronic pain management (ASRA.com)
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (Wikipedia)
A Brief History of Osteopathic Medicine (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine)
Residency (Wikipedia)
After earning an MD, she’s headed back to school — to become a nurse (STAT News)
Fellowship (medicine) (Wikipedia)
What is a Physiatrist? (Spine Universe)
Not all Physicians are Board Certified in the Specialties They Practice (American Board of Physician Specialties)
About SIS (Spine Intervention Society)
Mission Statement (Emerging Solutions in Pain)
About ASIPP (American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians)
About Us (North American Spine Society)