Ramirez's portrayal of Torres has been widely praised by television critics and the character gained significant popularity as the series progressed. Ramirez was nominated for several awards for her portrayal of Torres, including the Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and the ALMA Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Television Series. The character was ranked at #7 by "AfterEllen.com" in the list of "Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters." At the end of the show's twelfth season, Ramirez departed the show after 10 years, desiring to take a break.