In the realm of health care advocacy, there are those who follow mandates—and those who help write them. David Totaro, president and executive director of BAYADA Home Health Care Inc., belongs firmly in the latter group. Since founding the Hearts for Home Care program in 2023, Totaro has led an ambitious movement to elevate the voices of clinicians, caregivers and families across the country. The initiative has transformed passive supporters into powerful advocates, influencing legislation that directly impacts the future of home care services.
Totaro’s path was never about chasing titles. Instead, it’s been about harnessing momentum for causes that matter. He knows that policy isn’t shaped in isolation; it requires human connection, emotional intelligence and relentless coordination. Over the last year, he has built a nationwide team of 15 professionals and 40 part-time community organizers, all united around the idea that quality care starts with policy that supports it.
The recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree affirmed Totaro’s conviction that advocacy belongs in every boardroom. Rather than viewing regulatory work as a side function, he’s embedded it into BAYADA Home Health Care’s strategic framework. His team has helped pass Medicaid funding increases, introduced legislation on workforce development and amplified thousands of personal stories from families who depend on home care services.
For Totaro, progress is never static. He understands that the market is always shifting, and leaders must shift with it. This year, he’s guiding the organization toward new digital platforms that facilitate more efficient communication between policymakers and constituents. The goal isn’t just to modernize—they’re creating scalable systems that equip supporters with the tools to be heard in government spaces that often feel inaccessible.
His greatest leadership lesson in the past year didn’t come from a win—it came from uncertainty. Even when the organization seemed to be riding a strong tailwind, Totaro recognized the danger of complacency. That awareness led him to double down on data-driven storytelling, ensuring every campaign not only moved hearts but also held up to scrutiny. In a world saturated with messaging, his approach is precise, intentional and impactful.
Totaro finds motivation in the field—visiting families, listening to care providers and hearing firsthand how policy affects daily life. These interactions fuel his passion far more than spreadsheets or reports ever could. It’s this proximity to real stories that keeps him focused and grounded.
If granted the ability to master any skill instantly, he would choose effective storytelling. He views narrative as the engine of persuasion—the way to convert facts into force. In his world, a well-told story can be more powerful than any white paper or financial forecast.
In the coming year, Totaro is focused on driving deeper collaboration with national coalitions, increasing recruitment of grassroots advocates and expanding the training tools offered to supporters. He’s measuring success not just in policies passed, but in the size and strength of the movement behind them.
Totaro leads with resolve, compassion and clarity—hallmarks of a Titan whose influence reshapes not only organizations but entire systems.
