Alcy R. Torres, MD, FAAP

Alcy R. Torres, MD, FAAP, received his MD degree at Universidad Central del Ecuador in 1990, pediatric residency at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Neurology residency at the Longwood Neurology Training Program, Harvard Medical School (Mass General Brigham Hospitals, Beth Israel Hospital, Deaconess Medical Center, Veterans Hospital, Coumadin Clinic at Brockton Hospital and the Spinal Cord Unit and Outpatient Clinic at the VA Hospital in West Roxbury), followed by a Pediatric Neurology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School where he remained on staff for 13 years before becoming the Director of the Pediatric Brain Injury Program at Boston Medical Center.

He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. As an educator he has received many Awards including the Joseph Martin Dean’s Award at Harvard Medical School. Since 2006, Boston Magazine has listed him as Top Child Neurologist. He is the author of more than one hundred and fifty peer-reviewed publications about the diagnosis and treatments of pediatric and neurological conditions in particular pediatric traumatic brain injury. Dr. Torres is a very well-established physician scientist. Throughout his career he has conducted continuous research activities, received many grants and serves as Director of the Global Health Program and founded the first Spanish Pediatric Neurology Clinic in the US and Bilingual Programs.

Dr. Torres' extensive publications demonstrate his leadership in pediatric neurology, specifically concerning traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion. His work spans a comprehensive range of TBI-related topics, from the definition, classification, epidemiology, management, prevention, prognosis in children. Dr. Torres has explored factors affecting patient follow-up, return-to-school protocols, and sports-related concussion management, particularly within soccer and professional events. Furthermore, his research addresses disparities in testing and the implementation of concussion regulations in schools, alongside the long-term effects of early exposure to contact sports. This breadth and depth of research solidify Dr. Torres' standing as a world leader in pediatric TBI.

He is very involved in national and international organizations including the Child Neurology Society (CNS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Brain Injury Association (BIA), the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) and the Iberoamerican Academy of Pediatric Neurology (AINP).

In 2004 he co-founded and volunteered for the Ecuadorian Association of New England. He He has served on a variety of local, national, and international committees. Currently he is a Board Member of the Wellesley United Soccer Club (WUSC), member of the Wellesley Club, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Section of Global Health (SOGH), Neurology Section (SONU), ICATCH program, and the Child Neurology Society (CNS), International Affairs Committee (IAC). Dr. Torres is a member of the Editorial Board of the most prestigious journals of his specialty: The Journal of Pediatric Neurology, Child Neurology and many more and is the Chief Editor of the Newsletter of the section of Global Health of the American Academy of Pediatrics (SOGH/AAP).

He has been invited to lecture uncountable times locally, nationally, and internationally in courses, conferences, congresses, grand rounds and in many occassions Key Note speeches consolidating his position as a leader in Pediatric Brain Injury, Global Heath, and Humanism in medical practice.

Other important contributions to Science:

Torres A, Newton SA, Crompton B, et al. CSF 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Serial Monitoring to Guide Treatment of Congenital Folate Malabsorption Due to Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter (PCFT) Deficiency. JIMD Rep. 2015; 24:91-96. doi:10.1007/8904_2015_445 Impact: Seminal paper which suggests intramuscular folinic acid therapy twice a day started early in life will prevent neurological damage in these patients.

Torres, A, Whitney, J, Gonzalez-Heydrich, J. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in pediatric patients with epilepsy: Review of pharmacological treatment. Epilepsy Behav 2008; 12(2):217-33. PMID: 18065271.
Impact: Summarizes research performed from his group which establishes the risk for seizures in patients with epilepsy treated with stimulants is small and therefore these patients should be treated for ADHD if needed, considering individual circumstances in every patient.

Torres, A, Shaikh, Z, Chavez, W, Maldonado, J, Brain MRI in Children with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Symptoms in both Sports and non-Sports related Concussion, Cureus, 11(1): e3937. doi:10.7759/cureus.3937

Alosco, ML, Kasimis, AB, Stamm, JM, Chua, AS, Baugh, CM, Daneshvar, DH, Robbins, CA, Mariani,M, Hayden J, Conneely, S, Au, R, Torres, A, McClean, MD, McKee, AC, Cantu, RC, Mez, J, Nowinski ,CJ, Martin, BM, Chaisson, CE, Tripodis, Y, Stern, RA, Age of first exposure to American football and long-term neuropsychiatric and cognitive outcomes. Transl Psychiatry. 2017 Sep 19; 7(9): e1236. doi: 10.1038/tp.2017.197

Torres, A., Brownstein, C, Tembulkar, S, Graber, K, Genetti, C, Kleiman, R, Sweadner, K, Liu, K, Mavrosd, C, Smedemark-Margulies, N, Agrwal, P, Shi, J, Beggs, A, D’Angelo, E, Hope, S, Carroll, D, Berry, G, Gonzalez-Heindrich, ATP1A3 de novo and compound heterozygous NLRP3 mutations in a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, fatigue/sleep-wake cycle/behavioral disorder, Muckle-Wells syndrome and psychotic-like symptoms responsive to antipsychotic treatment, Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports, 2017, YMGMR-00278;No. of pages:6;4C

Torres A, Andrade EO, Christoph CL, Weinberger M. Congenital absence of the superior mesenteric artery. J Pediatr Surg. 1999;34(12):1858-1860. doi:10.1016/s0022-3468(99)90332-9

Current projects with IRB approval at Boston University
Lumbar puncture in patients with Chiari malformation type I
Attitudes And Practice Styles of Humanism Amongst Pediatric Neurologists
To determine the prevalence of objective versus subjective clearance post-concussion in pediatric patients
Concussion Referrals in Pediatrics and Adolescents in the Urban Safety-Net Hospital

Additional Projects
Traumatic Brain Injury: Referrals in a Pediatric Concussion Program in a safety net Hospital
The influence of premorbid conditions in the validity of the SCAT6
Telemedicine to monitor improvement in patients with Pediatric Concussion

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

The future of Medicine and Society depends on many factors, but perhaps, none more critical than the practice of Diversity and Inclusion in our institution. Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center share the mission of providing exceptional care, overcoming healthcare barriers, and empowering patients and families to become their healthiest self. By working together, we are much more likely to meet the needs of our shared patient population. Though this relationship is strong, I envision tightening communication channels, improving the referral process, sharing resources, and co-implementing best healthcare system practices. BMC has an unquestionable opportunity to make Boston and the surrounding community the healthiest urban population; my goal as the CHC liaison is to leverage the strengths of the CHC and BMC to close gaps in care related to healthcare disparities.

Over the last 25 years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a diverse group of providers throughout MA, NH and beyond. I have been important to the successful implementation of satellites in pediatric neurology, improving access to care for patients needing specialty care in the community. Eight years ago, I brought pediatric neurological specialty care to East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, and I have seen the positive impact of caring for children in their neighborhood, in their language, and sensitized to their culture. I have also had the opportunity to witness the challenges of CHCs and see healthcare through their lens.

Like our patients, the CHCs are also diverse. Each CHC has a special population, different strengths, and different needs. Over the past two decades, our patients have migrated further from BMC necessitating CHCs further from the medical center. The patients we serve have more difficulty accessing resources and traveling to BMC. In addition, there are now less opportunities from BMC and CHCs to meet, to discuss shared concerns, and to learn from each other. I would explore the use of technology to address some of the challenges of distance, time, and collaboration.

Central to this role is a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, I had since I was growing up and solidified in medical school where I was able to fight with all my heart for social justice. I have developed strong roots with several national associations for underrepresented minorities. The pediatric neurology bilingual program which I developed has been recognized in several media outlets of the Hispanic community and was the theme of a manuscript which is about to be published in The Journal of Child Neurology. I have served as Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at the medical school and lead the Division of Pediatric Neurology Inclusion and Diversity committee.

For me, I am excited by the challenge this represents to our community. I would embrace the opportunity to work closer with the Department of Pediatrics, BMC leadership, and the teams at each Community Health Center to produce some change.

Clinical Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Neurology


Assistant Dean
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Diversity & Inclusion


Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

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  1. Mathew RS, Pangrazio O, Forriol F, Howard C, Rivas Martinez G, Franco M, Torres AR. Heading in Soccer Players and Neurologic Outcomes. J Child Neurol. 2026 Feb; 41(2):264-277. PMID: 41051987; DOI: 10.1177/08830738251378592;
     
  2. Pangrazio O, Forriol F, Aguirre AS, Bastin T, Torres AR. Concussions analysis in 2022-2024 CONMEBOL soccer tournaments. Front Neurol. 2025; 16:1645543. PMID: 41098383; PMCID: PMC12518064; DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1645543;
     
  3. Espinosa Villagomez P, Hinojosa-Figueroa MS, Leon-Rojas JE, Rivas-Martínez GI, Torres AR. Pediatric Arachnoid Cysts: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Clinical Features and Therapeutic Approaches. J Clin Med. 2025 Sep 28; 14(19). PMID: 41095958; PMCID: PMC12525512; DOI: 10.3390/jcm14196866;
     
  4. Ayala-Lopez GN, Khan TF, Torres AR. [Acquired brain injury in pediatrics: a review on cognitive rehabilitation techniques]. Medicina (B Aires). 2025 Sep; 85 Suppl 4:28-33. PMID: 41036981
     
  5. Ruprecht MT, Andreu Arasa VC, Atunes Ortega LF, Torres AR. Management of a Pseudoaneurysm After Carotid-Esophageal Fistula Repair Secondary to Button Battery Ingestion in an Infant. ACG Case Rep J. 2025 Aug; 12(8):e01811.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40861925; PMCID: PMC12373100; DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001811;
     
  6. Valluri H, Mohanty M, Mongil CR, Fuentes G, Sultan T, Torres AR. Investigating the burden of cerebral palsy in low- and middle-income countries: Implications and priorities for pediatric neurology. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2025 Oct; 55:101225. PMID: 41076303; DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2025.101225;
     
  7. Torres A, Zhao I, Namushi J, Kandawasvika G. Exploring the burden of West Nile Virus in resource limited regions: Challenges and implications for pediatric neurology. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2025 Jul; 54:101208.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40701688; DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2025.101208;
     
  8. Marisco M, Kataria S, Rivas Martinez GI, Mokeddem F, Torres AR. Influence of Social Determinants of Health on Treatment Completion for Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in a Safety Net Hospital. J Child Neurol. 2026 Jan; 41(1):9-16. PMID: 40501303; DOI: 10.1177/08830738251343164;
     
  9. Beslow LA, Gano D, DiMario FJ, Józwiak S, Sivaswamy L, Kothare SV, Ghosh PS, Torres AR, Wu Y, Santoro JD. Pediatric Neurology Trainee Award. Pediatr Neurol. 2025 Jul; 168:A5-A6. PMID: 40410076
     
  10. Aguirre AS, Rojas K, Torres AR. Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries in Natural Disasters, a Call for Better Preparedness: A Systematic Literature Review. J Child Neurol. 2025 Jul; 40(6):486-494. PMID: 40129119
     
Showing 10 of 92 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 91 publications over 19 distinct years, with a maximum of 12 publications in 2025

YearPublications
19991
20031
20072
20081
20104
20121
20134
20143
20153
20163
20173
20186
201911
20207
20216
20226
20236
202411
202512


2024 Sociedad Peruana de Pediatria: Excellence in Science
2023 Federacion Ecuatoriana de Medicina: Physician of the Year
2023 Boston Magazine: Top Latino provider
2020 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine: Top Child Neurology/Boston Magazine
2019 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine: Top Child Neurology/Boston Magazine
2018 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine: Top Doctors in Child Neurology
2017 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine: Top Doctors in Child Neurology
2016 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine : Top Doctors in Child Neurology
2016 Periodico el Planeta”, Boston, MA: Latino Award, Most influential people in New England
2015 Child Neurology Society: Talent, Character and Wisdom Awards Committee
2015 Best Doctors: Best Child Neurologist
2015 Castle and Connolly, Boston Magazine : Top Doctors in Child Neurology
2014 Periodico el Planeta”, Boston, MA : Latino Award, Most influential people in New England
2014 Top pediatricians: America's Top Pediatricians
2012 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2011 Best Doctors : Best Pediatric Neurologist
2011 Super Doctors: Super Doctors
2011 Periodico el Planeta”, Boston, MA: Power-meter 100 Most influential members of the Latino Community Award
2010 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2009 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2008 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2007 Boston Magazine: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2007 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2006 Boston Magazine : Best Pediatric Neurologist
2006 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2006-2024 Boston Magazine Castle Connolly: Top Child Neurologist
2005 Best Doctors: Best Pediatric Neurologist
2001 Harvard Medical School: “Outstanding performance” as a Laboratory Instructor in the Human Nervous System
1999 Harvard Medical School: Meyer Award, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
1998 Harvard Medical School: Von Meyer Award, Children’s Hospital
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Traumatic Brain Injury Pediatric Concussion Program Pediatric Neurology Global Health

I am the Director of the Pediatric Brain Injury Program at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Director of the International Program and Bilingual Programs at Boston Medical Center.

I am the PI/CI of several Pediatric Research Studies which main focus is Traumatic Brain Injury and Global Health and I am the Assistant Den of Diversity and Inclusion. I facilitate promote all students including underrepresented-minorities. I have also served as a facilitator for Global Health opportunities for the American Academy of Pediatrics in campus and around the world.

My research expertise is in the Treatment of children with Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

I have successfully mentored more than 30 trainees national and international on research projects and clinical careers.

I have received several clinical and teaching Awards including the 2003 Harvard Medical School Medical School Dean's letter to the best instructor of the Laboratory of Behavior and Neurology course.

I have a fundamental commitment to faculty development and mentoring majority and underrepresented minorities, early and mid-career investigators in academic medicine. In mentoring I view my role as facilitating individuals’ personal and professional growth/advancement in a manner that is aligned with their values and goals of BMC and Boston University School of Medicine.

Available to Mentor as: (Review Mentor Role Definitions):
  • Advisor
  • Career Mentor
  • Diversity Mentor
  • Education Mentor
  • Project Mentor
  • Research / Scholarly Mentor
Contact for Mentoring:
  • Email (see 'Contact Info')

801 Albany St
Boston MA 02118
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