Joanne Toran

Joanne McLaughlin Toran is a public administrator. Prior to her retirement, she served as Associate Director of the Mt. Sinai Pediatric School Based Health Center, and as a faculty member in the Division of General Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital.  She oversaw four school-based health centers, which provided comprehensive medical services to approximately 4,000 children.

From 1994–2000, Ms. Toran served as the Administrative Manager and the Coordinator for Community Affairs and Capital Development for Harlem Health Promotion Center at Columbia University. She previously served as the Projects Administrator for the Biosocial Treatment Research Division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University, in which role she oversaw all research projects within the division. Her responsibilities included budget planning and implementation, management of one hundred central and field staff, and the coordination and writing of project administrative reports to internal and external funding agencies.

Ms. Toran received a National African American Women’s Leadership Institute Fellowship in 2003, and has been an advocate in NYC’s education and healthcare systems. She serves on the board of directors of CLOTH (Community League of the Heights), a community development organization working to strengthen and empower southern Washington Heights. She also serves on the board of Community Health Network, a not-for-profit healthcare organization providing comprehensive quality and culturally competent care to underserved communities throughout New York City. She is the President of Sankofa Circle, a cultural organization that develops, promotes, and cultivates positive self-image among African Americans through cultural, recreational, and educational activities.

A New York City native, Ms. Toran holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from SUNY Empire State College, and an MPA from the Wagner School of New York University.