About the
Home Health Aide Training Institute, Inc.
The Home Health Aide Training Institute (HHATI) is a New York State-licensed training institution dedicated to developing the next generation of compassionate, competent home health professionals. Founded by Dr. Maria Santiago, HHATI addresses the critical need for skilled home care providers by offering state-approved training programs that are accessible, affordable, and life-changing.
We serve a diverse community of students—many of whom are immigrants, single parents, or career changers—providing them with the tools they need to enter a high-demand field and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Beyond education, HHATI is a movement rooted in dignity, service, and the belief that everyone deserves quality care and a meaningful career path.
Dedicated Educators
Our classes are taught by dedicated and experienced registered nurses licensed by the NYC education department.
They ensure every student finds a path to success using proven teaching strategies.
Nurse Training Education Programs
We embrace a learning environment that will prepare you for the path ahead.
Our classes incorporate traditional learning styles as well as hands-on experiences.
About Dr. Maria Santiago
Dr. Maria Santiago is a visionary educator, compassionate leader, and relentless advocate for underserved communities. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Home Health Aide Training Institute (HHATI), she has dedicated over two decades to workforce development, healthcare training, and community upliftment.
A first-generation professional and a proud daughter of immigrants, Dr. Santiago combines her academic background with lived experience to create life-changing opportunities for her students. Her numerous accolades include recognition from city and state agencies, humanitarian organizations, and educational institutions.
Dr. Santiago is also the host of the nationally aired Talk with Maria Show, a powerful platform for voices in healthcare, education, and community leadership. Her work expands far beyond the classroom—she is the heartbeat behind a mission to elevate individuals, families, and entire communities through education, empowerment, and equity.
Message from the President
Dr. Maria Thomas Santiago
President & Executive Director, HHATI
Welcome to the Home Health Aide Training Institute Inc. (HHATI).
It is with great joy and purpose that I extend my warmest greetings to you. HHATI was founded on a simple yet profound belief: caregiving is not just a profession, it is a calling one rooted in dignity, compassion, and the power to change lives.
For over three decades, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles, sacrifices, and extraordinary resilience of caregivers. They are the backbone of families, communities, and our healthcare system. Yet, too often, their contributions go unseen and undervalued. At HHATI, we exist to change that narrative.
Our mission is clear: to empower caregivers through education, opportunity, and community. We train, support, and uplift individuals many of them women, immigrants, and underserved populations equipping them not only with skills but with the confidence and leadership to thrive. With more than 8,000 graduates across the United States, HHATI has become a place where futures are built, dignity is restored, and dreams are realized.
But our vision does not end here. We are building a global movement connecting hearts and hands across nations, creating pathways of care that extend from New York to Nigeria, from the Caribbean to Asia, and beyond. Together, we are proving that caregiving is not just about service; it is about shaping a more humane and compassionate world.
As you explore our work, I invite you to join us whether as a student, partner, supporter, or advocate. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that no senior, no caregiver, and no community is left behind.
The future of care is being written now, and at HHATI, we are proud to be leading that story with courage, faith, and love.
With gratitude and hope,
Dr. Maria Thomas Santiago
President & Executive Director
Home Health Aide Training Institute Inc.