Between becoming a certified nursing assistant in 1998 to owning several skilled nursing facilities by 2021, it’s difficult to believe there was a time when Evangeline Powell didn’t intend to have a career in nursing. 

It was physical therapy that was the focus of her ambitions early on, when she studied it for three years in the Philippines.

She quickly fell in love with skilled nursing, though, and the feeling of family it created within its four walls, especially because she was relatively new to the United States. 

Powell started her career as a certified nursing assistant at Beverly Manor in Laguna Hills, CA. Changing her career path, she pursued her certification as a licensed vocational nurse. Between 2002 and 2021, she worked as a floor nurse, RN supervisor, assistant director of nursing and director of nursing at hospitals, post-acute rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities.

She added owner to her title in 2021, when she and her husband, Steve Powell, started Rockwell Healthcare. The company was chosen by Summit Healthcare REIT to lease and operate three skilled nursing facilities in San Bernardino County that formerly were owned by Madison Creek Partners: Yucaipa Hills Post Acute Care, Creekside Post Acute and University Post Acute.

In announcing the partnership, Elizabeth Pagliarini, Summit’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer said of the Powells and their Rockwell team: “Their inspiring compassion and level of care combined with their vast experience and professionalism is incredibly unique. I feel like we’ve discovered a rare gem.”

Powell currently holds the title of vice president of clinical services and co-owner of Rockwell Healthcare.

It is this kind of success story that earned her a 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Award in the “Inspiration Award” category.

The McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. Honorees were recognized March 7 at a dinner and awards ceremony in Chicago. The program’s Platinum sponsor was MatrixCare. Omnicare was a Silver sponsor, and additional sponsors included Pinnacle Quality Insight, HealthDirect and Sentrics.

Editor’s note: McKnight’s Home Care, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living are profiling the McKnight’s 2023 Pinnacle Awards honorees daily in April and May. For additional McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards content, visit this page.