For Camille-Kae Torre, caring for some of the most vulnerable patients is more than a career. It is a passion.
Torre, a University of Florida College of Nursing alumna, was recently named a UF 40 Gators Under 40honoree in recognition of her impact as a neonatal nurse practitioner. The annual designation highlights University of Florida alumni who are making a meaningful impact through their professional achievements, leadership and service.
“Being named a Gators 40 Under 40 has been a tremendous honor and meaningful recognition,” Torre said. “I am grateful to the UF College of Nursing, which has provided me a stable foundation and a desire for lifelong learning.”
A first-generation American whose family immigrated from the Philippines, Torre grew up in Florida and always dreamt of attending UF. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UF in 2017.
During her career, she has worked on several projects to improve clinical practice in the neonatal intensive care unit.
She secured a Little Giraffe Foundation grant to overhaul CPR training equipment at her hospital, providing new mannequins and iPads to help train parents before their babies leave the NICU.
Another initiative grew from a difficult experience early in her nursing career. After a baby in the NICU died while Torre was a new nurse, a more experienced colleague guided her through the bereavement process. The experience inspired Torre to develop an evidence-based bereavement checklist to help nurses navigate the emotional and clinical complexities surrounding infant loss.
Her work has earned invitations to present at national and international conferences and multiple honors for her contributions to neonatal care. She also shares her expertise beyond the bedside, serving as a nonexecutive director for the Council of International Neonatal Nurses and as a steering committee member for the National Coalition of Infant Health.
“Embrace every opportunity to learn, grow and go out of your comfort zone, and stay curious,” Torre said. “Advocate fiercely for your patients. Develop your relationships, because the relationships you make and the impact that you make is probably the greatest accomplishments that you will have in your career.”
Torre also encourages fellow Gator Nursing alumni to stay connected to the college and to serve as role models for the next generation of nurses.
“It’s important to show these students and these future healthcare leaders that there are many paths that you can take,” she said. “Eventually, they will make a change wherever they end up going.”