I am a very fastidious person when it comes to doctors and doctors' office staff. I hold myself to a very high standard especially as a chemistry professor. Without a doubt, Dr. Carmen Torres, and her staff, are absolutely the finest PCP and medical personnel I have had in my 41 years here in S. FL.
From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a smile, a "Hello, how are you?" and "How can I help you?", as compared to the typical other doctors' offices' frosted glass windows that are always shut, with an even frostier note of "Be with you in a minute...Don't bang on the glass window!" sign.
My appointment was for 8:30am and at 8:20am I was brought back by the nurse (forgive me for not remembering her name; this was my first visit) who effectively and efficiently did all the vital tasks necessary to prepare me for Dr. Torres. If I didn't understand something, I asked her to explain it, and she did so with a smile and patience.
At EXACTLY 8:30am Dr. Carmen Torres walked into the examination room. NEVER in my 41 years have I ever had a doctor be so perfectly punctual; Dr. Torres was the kindest, most caring doctor I've ever had, and she took at least 45 minutes to explain everything she had read from previous doctors' medical records of mine. Dr. Torres calmly and methodically explained what she was going to do today (as my first visit), why she was doing it, and what to expect going forward. Dr. Torres had a gentle way of putting me at ease and reassuring me that I was in great, experienced hands.
I HATE NEEDLES!!! The thought of a steel rod being jammed through 7 layers of skin does not excite me. Yisrael, (please forgive me if I misspelled it) is the office phlebotomist, and she drew my bloods so carefully and gently that there was absolutely no mark on my arm even a day later. Usually, there's a huge black and blue mark as if someone had hit me with a hammer. She could see I was anxious about this, but she not only finished quickly, but talked to me to distract me and to make the time pass faster. I am truly grateful for Yisrael's superior abilities to draw blood and to care about me.
My Final stop was with Dionis (again, please forgive me for any misspelling) to check out. Talk about multi-tasking! This young woman was doing 10 things at a time and doing them perfectly!! She was thoroughly efficient, explained exactly what all the procedures and charges were, and when/how to properly follow-up with Dr. Torres. At certain moments, there was a bit of noise and I did not hear what Dionis had said. Once again, with a smile that expressed that it was her pleasure to help me, she repeated herself. Normally at other offices, I would get the eye-roll and heavy sigh, should I dare ask someone to repeat him or herself. I cannot express to any greater degree how absolutely fabulous she was (as were all of the staff members). They all deserve the highest praise (which I hope I have conveyed here today) and a huge raise!... :-)
Without any reservation, whatsoever, I highly recommend Dr. Carmen Torres, and her entire office staff, to be your next Primary Care (Family) Physician.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott Fleischer, Ed.D.
