Dr. Joy L. King

Biography

Dr. Joy L. King, DNP, MBA, APRN, NP-C, FAIHM is a nationally recognized nurse leader, clinician, educator, and health advocate dedicated to advancing health equity and strengthening the nursing profession.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Community Health, Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees from Georgia College & State University (GCSU). She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.

Following completion of her MBA, Dr. King completed a two-year integrative medicine fellowship through the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM) in San Diego, California. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Georgia State University, where her research focuses on body image perception, sleep quality, social media use, and cardiovascular disease in African American women who are overweight and obese living in rural Georgia.

Dr. King currently serves as President of the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), having previously served on the organization’s Board of Directors since 2019. Through her leadership, she advocates for policies that strengthen the nursing workforce and expand access to care across Georgia and beyond. In 2026, Dr. King was appointed to the Advisory Board for The Nurses Magazine, where she contributes her expertise in nursing leadership, advocacy, and professional development.

Her leadership and contributions to healthcare have been recognized nationally. In 2026, Dr. King was named one of Modern Healthcare’s “40 Under 40,” received the Western Governors University (WGU) Distinguished Alumni Award, and was honored with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Outstanding Contributions. She previously received Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 (2024) and was recognized as a 2025 Nurses Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree. In addition, she was named a Central Georgia Woman of Impact and received the Ruth Hartley Moseley “Pioneer of Community Advancement” Award for her leadership in improving health equity and community well-being.

Dr. King’s work extends beyond recognition to meaningful community impact. Her DNP research on nurse practitioner-led school-based initiatives to address childhood obesity led to the development of the BeeWell Clinic, a school-based health center in Baldwin County, Georgia, increasing access to care for students and families in rural communities. She also co-founded the Rayceen and George King Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund with her sister, Dr. Marcy Harris, to support African American DNP students and honor their parents’ legacy.

Professionally, Dr. King practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner with Devoted Health, where she provides patient-centered care through telehealth services. She also works part-time at CVS Minute Clinic in Macon, Georgia, and serves as an adjunct professor at Georgia College & State University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate nursing students with a focus on healthcare leadership, economics, and integrative approaches to care.

Outside of her professional roles, Dr. King is an endurance athlete who competes in ultramarathons and obstacle course races across the country. She is passionate about wellness, resilience, and empowering others to pursue balanced and healthy lives.

Leadership in Nursing

Dr. King is a nationally recognized nurse leader whose work centers on health equity, nursing advocacy, workforce strengthening, and expanding access to care.

As President of the Georgia Nurses Association, she advocates for policies that strengthen the nursing workforce and expand access to care across Georgia and beyond.

Her leadership also extends to professional development and national recognition through her service on the Advisory Board for The Nurses Magazine.

Education & Academic Influence

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Community Health, Georgia College & State University
• Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, Georgia College & State University
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Georgia College & State University
• Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, Western Governors University
• Completed a two-year integrative medicine fellowship through the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine
• Currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Georgia State University
• Adjunct professor at Georgia College & State University

Clinical & Professional Impact

• Practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner with Devoted Health through telehealth services
• Works part-time at CVS Minute Clinic in Macon, Georgia
• Teaches graduate and undergraduate nursing students with a focus on healthcare leadership, economics, and integrative approaches to care
• Led DNP research that resulted in the development of the BeeWell Clinic
• Advances health equity and community well-being through clinical practice, education, and advocacy

Awards & Recognition

• Modern Healthcare’s “40 Under 40” (2026)
• Western Governors University Distinguished Alumni Award
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Outstanding Contributions
• Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 (2024)
• 2025 Nurses Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree
• Central Georgia Woman of Impact
• Ruth Hartley Moseley “Pioneer of Community Advancement” Award

Recent Accomplishments

Serving as President of the Georgia Nurses Association and advocating for policies that strengthen the nursing workforce and expand access to care.

Appointed to the Advisory Board for The Nurses Magazine in 2026.

Named one of Modern Healthcare’s “40 Under 40” in 2026 and recognized with major national awards for professional excellence and leadership.

Expanded community impact through the BeeWell Clinic and the Rayceen and George King Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund.

Continuing doctoral research focused on body image perception, sleep quality, social media use, and cardiovascular disease in African American women who are overweight and obese living in rural Georgia.