Cleveland Clinic Akron General Names New Director of Diversity and Inclusion

AKRON: Michelle Del Toro, MPH, MALS, is joining Cleveland Clinic Akron General as Director of Diversity and Inclusion this week.

Del Toro has a long track record of successfully promoting equity and inclusion through the implementation of programs and policies related to health, wellness and social justice. She has worked at Cleveland Clinic for nearly 10 years, most recently as a program manager in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion on the main campus, where she developed strategies related to equity of care, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and reducing health disparities in the community.

Del Toro will focus on increasing Akron General’s diversity and inclusion initiatives both in the hospital, helping recruit a more diverse workforce and fostering a culture of inclusion, and outside, advancing health equity in the community.

“There is so much energy at Akron General. I was impressed by the hospital’s spirit of collaboration, commitment and support of its patients and caregivers, and strong ties to the community. I am excited for the opportunity to foster the growth of a diverse and inclusive culture that is integrated throughout a wide range of areas and practices,” she said.

Akron General President Brian Harte, M.D., said that this work is a top priority for the hospital.

“We know that diversity in our caregiver team results in more compassionate, informed care for our patients and our entire community,” he said. “We are thrilled to have Michelle joining us to continue to move our efforts forward.”

In her previous role in Cleveland Clinic’s Office of Government & Community Relations, Del Toro managed Cleveland Clinic’s childhood wellness initiative, 5 to Go!TM, reaching 11,500 children annually with a multi‐pronged educational approach to reduce obesity. She also worked at MetroHealth, integrating HIV testing into routine clinical practice to reduce disparities in care; created the Case Health Policy Forum and the undergraduate public health program at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine; and developed a water system and improved cook stoves program in Dominican Republic with Engineer without Borders.

Del Toro holds a bachelor of science in applied economics and management from Cornell University, a master’s degree in social and public policy from Georgetown University and a master’s in public health from CWRU School of Medicine.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Del Toro is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has been recognized as a member of Kaleidoscope Magazine’s Cuarenta Cuarenta Club; Cleveland Clinic Emerging Leader; Hispanics in Philanthropy Fellow; Greater Cleveland Partnership LEAD Emerging Leader; and AmMore 100+ Latinos CLE Must Know, and serves on the board of Drink Local Drink Tap.