Her Story
About Paula
Paula Knowles is a Community Healthcare Practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, beginning her career in 1999. She has developed a diverse background in patient care and community health, earning credentials as a Patient Care Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, phlebotomist, and Community Health Worker. Since 2008, she has provided home care services as a CNA, combining hands-on healthcare experience with a strong commitment to serving individuals and families in her community.
In 2024, Knowles expanded her work in community health by establishing Vital Passion, a mobile health and wellness business providing services including phlebotomy, CPR instruction, and related health and wellness support. As Chief Executive Officer of Vital Passion Health & Wellness Services, she focuses on bringing accessible services directly into the community and supporting health education through outreach initiatives and health fairs. Her professional interests also extend to sickle cell advocacy and education, reflecting her commitment to increasing awareness and supporting individuals and families affected by the condition.
Knowles is also the founder of the Jamar Warrior Sickle Cell Alliance, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to sickle cell advocacy and education. She is a member of the NAACP, Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce, and Sickle Cell Consortium. Knowles attributes her success to her prayer and faith in God, as well as the resilience she has witnessed in her own family. She approaches her work with compassion, care, encouragement, and a desire to uplift others, while encouraging the next generation to remain focused, continue learning, develop valuable skills, and always give their best.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Paula
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my prayers and my faith in God. My faith has been especially important after watching my daughter experience serious medical issues and seeing her continue to live and thrive despite receiving a poor prognosis. Her resilience has inspired me to continue moving forward and serving others with purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to do my job and always do my very best at what I do. At the end of the day, giving my best effort is what I can control.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to stay focused, remain calm, and take the time to learn the skills and information associated with their profession. Do your best and continue developing your knowledge. Once you learn and develop valuable skills, those skills become something that no one can take away from you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I currently see is the financial challenge of gaining sufficient capital to support the mission of community health initiatives and health fairs. Access to capital is important for expanding services, reaching more people, and creating greater community impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are compassion, care, encouragement, and uplifting others. I believe in loving life, helping people recognize and develop their strengths, and building upon one another's gifts and talents. My faith also shapes the way I approach both my work and personal life.
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