Dr. Joyce Marth Knestrick, PhD, FNP, FAANP is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Frontier University. She practices as family nurse practitioner at the Primary Care Center of Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Knestrick earned a PhD 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 College, an ADN from Community College of Allegheny County and a BS in chemistry from Point Park College. She has twenty years of experience as a family nurse practitioner working in clinics that serve low income and underserved populations both in urban but mostly in rural Appalachian areas. A registered nurse for over 25 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. She is currently presenting her work nationally on the integration of the Community of Inquiry Model in advanced practice nursing education.
Knestrick has served her local school district as an elected official for the past 12 years where she has served as president of the board for the past nine years. She is a member of several nursing organizations including AANP, WVNA, Sigma Theta Tau International and NONPF. She is a Fellow of the AANP. She serves on several committees for NONPF and currently chairs the Distance Learning SIG. She and her husband of 34 years enjoy their time together with their three grown children and their grandchild as well as ballroom dancing and riding their Harleys. She is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.