The Private Duty Home Care Advisory Board is made of some of the most experienced and talented leaders in the private duty community. Each of our Advisory board members is committed to the mission and vision of the organization and ensuring our members are well represented and receive the tools, support, and resources you need to provide the highest quality and caliber care and services to your clients and families.
In our reccurring Advisory Board Profile series we invite you to get to know our advisory board members better through a short Q&A interview, and learn more about why they choose to dedicate their professional lives to the private duty home care community.
Last week, we introduced you to Mike Young from Aveanna. This week, we have the pleasure of sharing a little more with you about Cristin Toscano, Chief Operating Officer at BAYADA Home Health Care, and one of our newest Private Duty Home Care Advisory Board members.
Cristin, tell me about how you would describe what you do to someone you just met.
I am responsible for overseeing the operations for our skilled nursing private duty business which includes pediatric and adult care in over 120 offices in 17 states.
Tell me about how you ended up working in home care/private duty home care. How did your professional journey bring you to where you are today?
My mom is a nurse and she had me volunteering at the age 12 at the hospital she worked. That was my first exposure to health care, and I loved it. Eventually I worked in a small community hospital in their staffing office. This experience gave me the foundation for transitioning to BAYADA where I have been for the last 26 years. When I began my career here at BAYADA, managing client schedules and teams of nurses and aides was very similar to the work I did at the local hospital ensuring adequate staffing on every floor in the hospital. I fell in love with home care and its been a fit ever since.
Why choose private duty home care?
Home is where everyone wants to be!
What do you find to be the most rewarding about your job?
Being able to build relationships with others. Over my career I have met the most amazing aides, nurses, colleagues (internally at BAYADA and externally), clients and families. They are who keep me going.
Conversely, what do you find to be most challenging?
Finding enough nurses and aides to care for our clients!
What Is your favorite memory working in private duty home care? Why?
Attending some of our quarterly recognition ceremonies for our field staff are some of my fondest memories. The stories that the clients share detailing the impact our staff have had on them is profound and heartwarming.
What is the one thing that keeps you up at night professionally?
Having enough nurses and aides to care for the many clients who need us.
What made you first get involved with Private Duty Home Care at NAHC?
Our organization has been involved in NAHC as a way to stay apprised of national issues impacting all aspects of home health care. Private Duty Home Care at NAHC has allowed us to have an even more detailed view of the issues/situations that are specific to PDN providers. It has allowed providers to not only receive updates and stay informed but also to have a voice! It is a great way to build relationships with other strong providers in the PDN industry.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a NAHC private duty home care member?
Become a member. It will help you access resources that will improve your business and organization on many levels. You will also get to meet and network with other providers to share successes and challenges.
What would you say to someone who was considering a career in private duty home care?
It is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You will work hard but the reward of seeing patients kept safely at home is worth every minute!
On behalf of everyone at the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, we thank Cristin for her detailed and candid responses. We are honored to have her as a distinguished member of the PD Advisory Board and thank her for her dedication, commitment, and passion to the Private Duty home care community.