A Passion for Care and Community: Joyce Knowles, LPN, of Kirkland Village

At Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL), we are proud to celebrate the dedicated team members who make a difference every day. One such individual is Joyce Knowles, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Kirkland Village. With nearly 14 years of service, Joyce has become an integral part of the community, wearing multiple hats and bringing compassion, leadership, and mentorship to her role.

A Journey of Growth and Mentorship

Joyce’s journey at PSL began in 2011 when she was hired by Liz Jensen, the Director of Independent Living, as a Med Tech at just 20 years old—while seven months pregnant with her son Avant and facing an uncertain future. Liz saw Joyce’s potential and provided her with opportunities that helped shape her career. "Having someone like Liz in your corner is so important for young people figuring out their future," Joyce shares. With Liz’s guidance and the encouragement of other mentors—including her father who taught her not only to have a great work ethic and to do everything with a clean heart, her older brother Charles who she looks up to in a lot of aspects of her life, watching him make people feel heard, building bonds, and sacrificing to build the community and family he has in his business, and several PSL colleagues—Joyce worked her way through nursing school and has continued to grow within the organization.

Since starting as a Med Tech, Joyce has taken on numerous roles, including Nurse, Med Tech Trainer, Staff Scheduler, and Clinical Mentor. She works across different levels of care, from personal care to rehab, long-term care, and the Wellness Center. “It’s been an incredible journey of learning and growing,” she says.

A Calling to Senior Care

Joyce’s passion for nursing and senior care is deeply personal. Having been raised, in part, by her grandmother, she developed a strong connection to the aging population. “Watching my grandmother age—she’s now 91—fuels my passion for helping seniors find grace and purpose in the aging process,” she says. Additionally, after losing her father at a young age, Joyce vowed to be a supportive presence for families navigating the challenges of aging and terminal illness.

She understands the emotional weight that families carry and strives to provide not only medical care but also comfort and reassurance. “Death, terminal illness, and change are some of the hardest things a person can go through. I want to be there to support both the residents and their families through it all.”

The Heart of Kirkland Village

For Joyce, Kirkland Village is more than just a workplace—it’s a community built on trust, care, and connection. “It’s a diverse community with different levels of care, all dedicated to maintaining dignity, physical well-being, and emotional support,” she says. Her favorite place in the community is the Briarholme neighborhood, where she has worked for 14 years. “It’s a place that brings me peace, where meaningful memories with team members, residents, and families are made every day.”

Joyce has built lasting relationships with residents, and some moments have left a deep impact on her. She recalls a touching conversation with a resident who had a premature baby weighing just one pound. “She spoke about how the nurses cared for her—not just physically but emotionally too. She still invites those nurses to family events decades later. That story will stay with me forever.”

A Team Like Family

Joyce attributes much of her success and fulfillment to the strong team dynamic at Kirkland Village. “Briarholme is a close-knit neighborhood where everyone—team members, residents, and families—looks out for each other,” she says. She gives special shout-outs to her colleagues, including Michelle Diehl, Bobbie Grove, Lizette Garcia, Diane Miranda, Evelyn Roettenbacher, and Charon Davis, who mentored her in her early years. She also acknowledges Med Techs Janelle Harvey, Rahiem Boykin, Francis Mendova for their dedication to residents, as well as nurses like Aileen Cortez, Paula Dancho, Alexis Moyer, Marie Israel, and Peggy Laughlin for their teamwork and commitment. Satasha Morrison- Nursing coordinator, encouraging me to venture and expand my nursing in the community, Renee Howard, and Jarilese Santana – CNA’s on our Rosewood neighborhood, who welcomed me.

Leadership has played a significant role in her journey as well. “Susan Regalis, my boss, has pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to take on new challenges and grow as a leader,” Joyce says. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”

Advice for Those Entering the Field

For those just beginning their journey in senior care, Joyce offers wisdom that has guided her own path: “Put God first, have faith, and give yourself grace. Always be open to learning.” Her favorite scripture, John 15, reminds her that growth often comes through challenges.

Joyce is also grateful for the benefits and support PSL provides. From tuition assistance that helped her through nursing school to the UKG Wallet program, which provides financial flexibility, she appreciates the ways PSL supports its employees. She also highlights a unique PSL initiative—an assistance fund for team members facing hardships. “Life happens, and knowing that your workplace has your back when unexpected challenges arise is invaluable.”

A Lasting Impact

Whether mentoring new nurses, providing compassionate care to residents, or supporting families through difficult transitions, Joyce’s impact at Kirkland Village is profound. “I feel like I make a difference every day,” she says. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

We are incredibly grateful to have Joyce as part of our PSL family. Her dedication, compassion, and leadership truly embody the mission and values of Presbyterian Senior Living. Thank you, Joyce, for all that you do!