Theresa Santoro: Visionary Healthcare Leader Driving Community-Centered Home Health Excellence

Theresa Santoro is a highly respected American healthcare executive known for her visionary leadership, clinical expertise, and unwavering commitment to strengthening community-based health services. As the President and CEO of RVNAhealth—one of Connecticut’s most established nonprofit home health and wellness organizations—she has spent nearly two decades shaping quality care delivery for individuals and families across Fairfield County. With a deep nursing background and a strategic, servant-leadership philosophy, Santoro continues to influence how modern home health, hospice, rehabilitation, and palliative services operate in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Professional Journey of Theresa Santoro

From Nurse to CEO: The Early Foundations

The career of Theresa Santoro began in clinical practice, where she worked directly with patients as a visiting nurse. Her hands-on experience not only built a solid foundation of clinical knowledge but also strengthened her understanding of patient needs within community settings. This front-line perspective became a cornerstone of her approach to leadership—placing people, compassion, and quality at the center of every strategic decision.

Theresa Santoro as Vice President of Clinical Operations

Before assuming the top executive role, Santoro served as Vice President of Clinical Operations at RVNAhealth from 2004 to 2007. In this capacity, she oversaw clinical programs, quality assurance initiatives, and operational improvements that elevated the organization’s performance and care standards. Her leadership during these years demonstrated her ability to merge clinical expertise with management efficiency.

President and CEO of RVNAhealth – A Defining Era

In May 2007, Theresa Santoro was appointed President and CEO of RVNAhealth, a position she has held for more than 18 years. Under her guidance, the organization has expanded significantly, adding enhanced home health care, hospice and palliative care, rehabilitation services, and community health programs. Her role involves strategic planning, organizational sustainability, fundraising, and ensuring that RVNAhealth maintains its reputation as a trusted healthcare partner throughout the region.

Educational Background of Theresa Santoro

Academic Path and Professional Preparation

Education has played a key role in shaping Theresa Santoro’s professional capability. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Health Care Administration from Sacred Heart University, a respected institution known for producing strong leaders in nursing and health sciences. During her academic years from 2002 to 2007, she deepened her understanding of leadership, organizational management, and advanced nursing practice.

Early Education

Before entering higher education, Santoro attended Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn, New York. This formative stage of her life helped build the personal values—discipline, service, and community engagement—that she would later apply to her healthcare career.

Leadership Philosophy of Theresa Santoro

A Servant Leader Dedicated to Community Impact

Known widely as a servant leader, Theresa Santoro prioritizes people, compassion, and ethical leadership. Her approach emphasizes:

• Forward-thinking strategies

• Sustainable organizational growth

• Empowerment of clinical teams

• Improving community access to quality care

She believes that strong healthcare systems are built on empathy, teamwork, education, and accountability.

Strengthening the Future of Home and Community Care

Under her leadership, RVNAhealth has modernized its services and expanded its capacity to meet the needs of aging populations and medically vulnerable groups. Santoro’s strategic vision ensures that the organization remains both progressive and rooted in the mission of compassionate care.

Personal Background of Theresa Santoro

Family and Early Life

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Theresa Santoro carries a strong family-focused and community-oriented identity. She later moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she continues to reside while leading RVNAhealth.

Santoro’s family connections also reflect her rooted upbringing. She is widely known as the sister of Maria Bartiromo, a prominent American journalist and television host. Their parents, Vincent and Josephine Bartiromo, are part of a close-knit family recognized for warmth, tradition, and mutual support.

Life in Ridgefield, Connecticut

Ridgefield serves as both her home and the headquarters of RVNAhealth. This proximity allows Santoro to remain closely connected with the communities she serves daily.

Professional Strengths of Theresa Santoro

Expertise Across Multiple Healthcare Domains

Theresa Santoro is recognized for her extensive expertise in:

• Home Health Care

• Hospice and Palliative Care

• Rehabilitation Services

• Clinical Operations

• Nursing Leadership

• Nonprofit Administration

• Fundraising and Donor Relations

Her ability to bridge clinical excellence with administrative strategy sets her apart as a unique and influential leader.

Recognized Excellence and Community Respect

Throughout her leadership, she has gained admiration from colleagues, healthcare partners, and community members. Her reputation is built on integrity, compassion, and consistent commitment to high-quality care.

Quick Info

Conclusion

Theresa Santoro stands as a powerful example of leadership rooted in compassion, innovation, and community service. With more than 18 years as President and CEO of RVNAhealth, she continues to shape the future of home health and nonprofit healthcare in Connecticut. Her journey from nurse to executive underscores her dedication to elevating community wellness and strengthening the healthcare system for generations to come.

FAQs

1. Who is Theresa Santoro?

Theresa Santoro is the President and CEO of RVNAhealth, a leading nonprofit home health and community care agency based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She is a registered nurse and experienced healthcare executive known for her leadership in home health, hospice, palliative care, and rehabilitation services.

2. What is Theresa Santoro’s professional background?

Theresa Santoro began her career as a visiting nurse before advancing into leadership roles. She served as Vice President of Clinical Operations at RVNAhealth from 2004 to 2007 and became CEO in 2007. With more than 18 years of executive experience, she is recognized for her strategic, compassionate, and mission-driven leadership.

3. Where did Theresa Santoro study?

She earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on Health Care Administration from Sacred Heart University. She also attended Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn, New York, for her early education.

4. Where is Theresa Santoro from and where does she live now?

Theresa Santoro is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and she currently resides in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she leads RVNAhealth and remains involved in community care initiatives.

5. Is Theresa Santoro related to journalist Maria Bartiromo?

Yes. Theresa Santoro is the sister of Maria Bartiromo, the well-known American journalist and television host. They share parents Vincent and Josephine Bartiromo and maintain a close family connection.

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