Cherie Torres-Silva, MD, MPH

My interest in becoming a pediatrician goes back to a childhood experience. I was diagnosed and treated for a kidney tumor when I was 10 years old. The tragic loss of my second-born son pulled me toward pulmonary medicine. I specialized in the care of children with airway disorders and chronic lung disease after working for several years as a practicing pediatrician.

As a pediatric pulmonologist, I diagnosis and manage pulmonary conditions related to congenital or acquired airway abnormalities.

I specialize in caring for children with:

• Aerodigestive disorders
• Airway clearance conditions
• Alveolar hypoventilation
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Chronic aspiration and bronchiectasis
• Chronic lung disease due to prematurity and neuromuscular disorders
• Chronic respiratory failure
• Congenital airway abnormalities and hypoplasia
• Recurrent lower respiratory infections
• Tracheostomy and mechanical ventilator dependence

I practice within two centers at Cincinnati Children's: the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center and the Complex Obstructive Sleep Apnea Center. These clinics offer multidisciplinary care for patients with complex multisystem medical conditions (including pulmonary; ear, nose and throat; feeding and gastrointestinal disorders). We provide coordinated, timely and effective care that ensures open communication, consultation and medical decision-making with every member of a patient’s care team.

As I work with patients, I perform a large number of airway evaluations. I use a technique called flexible bronchoscopy to provide airway procedures under general anesthesia.

I believe that every one of my patients is the most important one. Every day is an opportunity to make their health better and improve their quality of life.

At Cincinnati Children's, we use a shared decision-making model, which means parents or other family caregivers are my eyes and ears at home. They provide the best source of information about a patient’s problems and needs. To ensure that my care recommendations have a positive impact, I listen and work to understand any issues or concerns from the patient's and caregivers' point of view.

I work with an experienced group of providers, including care coordinators, dietitians, exercise physiologists, medical educators, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, social workers and speech therapists. We maintain direct and frequent communication between one another and our patients and families. The nursing team generally communicates with the family first; however, I make myself readily available for direct communication with patients and family to clarify any questions and concerns.

Caring for my little patients and supporting their parents and families is a very important part of my everyday professional life. I also help educate medical students, residents and fellows. I completed a master’s degree in Medical Education at the University of Cincinnati and actively participate in the clinical training of the future generation of specialists.

I’m humbled to have been named one of Cincinnati Magazine’s Top Doctors in 2019 and 2020.