NYS DOH announces confirmation of Executive Deputy Commissioner

January 31, 2024

Good afternoon,

Johanne Morne has been confirmed by the Senate as the next Executive Deputy Commissioner of DOH.  Some NYS Council members may know Johanne because she was the long-time head of the NYS AIDS Institute.  More recently, she was the head of the DOH Office of Health Equity and Human Rights, and she regularly participates as a representative of DoH on the state’s Opioid Advisory Board.

Johanne is familiar with issues impacting New Yorkers with mental health and/or addiction challenges.  She is known for being very open to dialogue and understands the importance of advocacy and community engagement.  Her appointment is very good news, and we will continue to stay in contact with her and top leadership staff at DOH to communicate our priorities.


NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

Johanne E. Morne, Nationally Known for Exceptional Work Around Health Equity and HIV/AIDS, Will Serve in Leadership Role 

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 31, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health today announced that Johanne E. Morne will serve as the Department’s Executive Deputy Commissioner.

“Johanne embodies professionalism, compassion, and integrity,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “She has done exceptional work during her years at the Department and has gained a national reputation of excellence for her comprehensive work advancing health equity. I am confident she is best suited for this role and will do an amazing job.”

“It’s an honor to serve in this role, and I thank Dr. McDonald for entrusting me with this position,” Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne said. “I look forward to continue working with the many dedicated employees of the Department of Health, and community leaders and stakeholders in working to protect the health of all New Yorkers, while advancing health equity across New York State.” 

Prior to her current position, Morne served as the Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner and previously the Deputy Commissioner of the Department’s Office of Health Equity and Human Rights (OHEHR). She was appointed in August 2022 as a member of the Department’s Cabinet to lead the Department’s health equity and human rights planning, policy development, and programming.

Morne began her state government career with the Department’s AIDS Institute, which has lead responsibility for statewide programming, services, and activities relating to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and viral hepatitis, LGBTQ health and wellness, and drug user health and wellness. She was with the AIDS Institute for 15 years, serving as the Director for six years. Her leadership has advanced the state’s Ending the AIDS Epidemic and Hepatitis C Elimination initiatives, which led to the Department implementing essential policy changes to promote expanded access to HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C prevention, treatment, and care, as well as furthering statewide harm reduction programming and LGBTQ+ service delivery. 

Her early career included leadership positions in public health, domestic violence, substance use, organizational development, and organizational change.

Morne served as a board member of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) and served as the Board Chair from 2019 to 2020 and on the Executive Committee from 2018 to 2022. In 2019, Morne was appointed to the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee (CHAC) on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment.