Joan Devine headshot

Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 5 through Aug. 10. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.

Joan Devine has a passion for long-term care. Just ask some of the people she’s worked with.

“There are few people in this world who have demonstrated a greater passion and dedication to the advancement of person-centered care for elders than Joan,” said Brookdale Senior Living Senior Director of Dementia Care Juliet Holt Klinger, herself a 2021 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Veteran VIP.

“Joan has an incredible passion and commitment not just to caring for older people but to caring for and supporting people in a better way,” said Jill Vitale-Aussem, president and CEO of Christian Living communities and Capella Living Solutions.

This passion only has grown over her more than 35 years in long-term care.

Devine began her career as an activities director at a nursing home and currently serves as the director of education at Pioneer Network, a position she has held since 2016

In the years between, Devine worked in numerous other roles. They have included director of performance improvement for Lutheran Senior Services and clinical services director for St. Andrew’s Management Service, both in St. Louis. She also served as a board member for LeadingAge Missouri and as board president of MC5, Missouri’s culture change coalition. 

Devine also is the owner and operator of JPDevine Consulting. In this position, she guides senior care leaders as they implement person-directed practices while also assisting in transforming the culture at their organizations. 

Transforming cultures is something at which Devine excels. She is the author of “Word of the Week: Creating a Culture Change Dictionary.”

Outside of work, Devine likes to spend time outdoors. She is an avid biker, runner and hiker. She has combined her love of the outdoors with her passion for long-term care by participating in numerous charity events, including an MS bike ride in honor of a cousin who lived with MS, and the Alzheimer’s Association annual walk.

She also enjoys spending time with her nine grandchildren.

“They are her greatest joys and she ensures that she gives individual attention to each of them,” Pioneer Network President and CEO Penny Cook said. 

“She is the grandmother that all of us wish we could have.”

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors include OnShift and PharMerica, and the Bronze sponsor is Reliant Rehabilitation. Table sponsors included Dreamscape, Gojo/Purell and Sound Physicians.

Visit these web pages to see lists of the 2022 honorees: Rising StarsVeteran VIPsHall of HonorLifetime Achievement Award and Spirit Awards.

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