Joyce Knestrick, CRNP, FAANP

Washington, PA

Dr. Joyce M. Knestrick, CRNP, FAANP, is Immediate Past President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Knestrick is also an Associate Professor at Georgetown University and practices as a family nurse practitioner at Wheeling Health Rite in West Virginia. She has over three decades of experience as NP serving low income and underserved populations both in urban and rural Appalachian areas.
Dr. Knestrick earned a Ph.D. at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, a Master's Degree in Nursing with a focus on primary care from West Virginia University, a BSN from Wheeling Jesuit University an ADN from Community College of Allegheny County and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Point Park College. A registered nurse for over 30 years, Dr. Knestrick has a variety of teaching experience at the diploma, BSN, MSN, and Doctorate level. As an organizational leader, she has served as an adjunct professor in organizational leadership master's programs. She has served multiple clinical roles as a family nurse practitioner, a nurse manager, and a registered nurse in critical care, medical, surgical, pediatric, and long-term care settings.
Dr. Knestrick's research agenda focuses on the health of low- income populations with a focus on issues that impact those populations such as smoking, hope, spirituality, and access to care. As a nurse educator, she has over twelve years as a distance educator and has been a pioneer in distance education for nurse practitioners.
Knestrick has served her local school district as an elected official for 12 years where she has also served as president of the board for nine years. She is a member of the West Virginia Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) where she sits on several key NONPF committees. She and her husband of 40 years enjoy their time together with their three grown children and their three grandchildren.