David Chatel’s life is a testament to dedication, service, and the power of activism to improve the lives and health of those in his larger community. Born in 1950 to Robert K. Chatel Sr. and Annella Chatel in Hudson Falls, New York, David’s upbringing on Oak Street with his two brothers, Bob and Peter, set the foundation for a life marked by compassion and leadership. The Chatel family, deeply rooted in education, fostered a love of learning and civic responsibility. This environment would shape David’s path from an early age. David admired the passionate commitment of his father, who chaired the science department and taught chemistry in Hudson Falls for more than 33 years, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of students.
At Hudson Falls High School, where he graduated with the class of 1968, David excelled in academics, sports, and the arts. A member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, and President of his senior class, David also played on the varsity soccer and tennis teams. His love of music found expression in singing in the Glee Club, the Choraliers, and playing violin in the school orchestra.
David’s passion for learning and service continued at Dartmouth College, where he graduated cum laude in 1972 with a major in cultural anthropology. His college years were marked by a deepening commitment to community service, exemplified by his creation of a Big Brother program in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, for which he received a citation from Dartmouth’s President. This blend of academic excellence and community engagement would become a hallmark of his career.
Following his graduation, David began a distinguished 30-year career with the American Heart Association (AHA), a period defined by his relentless advocacy for public health. In 1981, while continuing his work with the AHA, David earned a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from Brown University. His thesis, which explored the transformative power of self-help groups for stroke survivors, underscored his belief in the ability of collective action to bring about meaningful change.
As Executive Director of the Rhode Island affiliate of the AHA for 18 years, and later as Senior Vice President of Health Initiatives and Advocacy for the Northeast affiliate, David’s leadership was instrumental in advancing health education, policy, and research in cardiovascular disease. His advocacy extended to the creation of support networks for stroke survivors, ensuring that those affected by such a life-altering event had a community to help redefine their lives.
David’s dedication to public health carried him to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where he served as Director of Patient Advocacy and contributed to the expansion of Medicare to include prescription drug coverage, earning him a Commissioner’s Citation. His career culminated as the Executive Vice President of Advocacy at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Washington, DC. There, he championed the rights of those living with MS, advocating for increased research funding and improved access to healthcare.
Today, David enjoys his retirement in Westerly, Rhode Island, with Mary, his beloved wife of over 50 years. Together, they share the joy in their two daughters, Elizabeth and Michaela, their spouses, and grandchildren, Tess, Paige, Elise, and Oliver. David’s life is a legacy of service, marked by a deep commitment to improving the lives of others, and an understanding of how engagement with a community of passionate advocates can alter the arc of the moral universe.