Toni M. McLaurin, M.D. Joins AAOS Board of Directors

Toni M. McLaurin, M.D., a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for NYU Langone Orthopedics, has been elected to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors.

Also, the associate director of orthopedic surgery and chief of orthopedic service at Bellevue Hospital Center, Dr. McLaurin is an orthopedic trauma specialist who focuses on musculoskeletal infections and reconstructive orthopaedic trauma, especially post-traumatic deformity correction.

After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in biochemical sciences, Dr. McLaurin taught high school for two years, and then began her studies at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. She then entered the residency program at Michigan State University, followed by an orthopedic trauma fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine.

Dr. McLaurin has taught numerous residents a variety of reconstructive treatments, focusing on the management of acute and reconstructive trauma. She has been recognized as Teacher of the Year at both NYU Langone and Emory University where she was previously faculty. In addition, Dr. McLaurin mentors medical students, pre-medical students, and high school students in order to encourage interest in orthopedics and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

OTW asked Dr. McLaurin what serving in this position means to her: “Serving in this position means that I will now gain a better understanding of what the AAOS does for its membership and how important much of the Board’s behind-the-scenes activity is.”

“Having recently attended my first in-person Board meeting, I realize now how little I and most of my colleagues actually know and understand about the role of AAOS in our professional lives. I look forward to furthering my own knowledge and educating my colleagues, while also, hopefully, making worthwhile contributions to the discussions and decision-making for which the Board is responsible.”

As for what she will focus on, Dr. McLaurin noted, “My priorities are to ensure that some of the many disparate and often underrepresented voices of the AAOS membership are heard. I plan to be a very engaged and vocal member while also continuing to better understand the background behind some of the policymaking with which I may not agree or fully comprehend the impact or importance of. My hope is to give as much (or more!) to the Board as I get from it.”