News Summary
Dr. Barbara Knox, a pediatrician at UF Health Jacksonville, has resigned due to serious allegations of workplace misconduct and bullying. An internal report revealed multiple complaints from employees about her management style, raising concerns regarding the work environment within the First Coast Child Protection Team. Allegations include fostering a hostile atmosphere and fostering racial discrimination. This isn’t Knox’s first controversy, as she previously faced scrutiny in earlier roles. The situation has led to increased focus on the hiring practices and background checks of medical professionals.
Jacksonville, FL – Dr. Barbara Knox, a pediatrician at UF Health Jacksonville, has resigned amid serious allegations of workplace misconduct and bullying. Her resignation is effective from August 15, as detailed in an internal report highlighting multiple complaints from employees at UF Health Jacksonville regarding her management style and behavior.
The internal investigation led to findings that Dr. Knox had “mismanaged” her team, contributing to ongoing “unrest” within the First Coast Child Protection Team, which she was appointed to lead. Nine members of the Child Protection Team have raised serious concerns about a toxic work environment under her leadership, alleging that her actions could jeopardize investigations related to child safety and abuse cases.
Among the allegations leveled against Dr. Knox are claims of fostering a hostile work atmosphere through behaviors such as bullying, engaging in racist conduct, and verbal abuse. These serious claims stem from internal reports and employee complaints that indicate a pervasive issue within the department.
This is not the first instance of controversy surrounding Dr. Knox. Prior to her tenure at UF Health, she faced scrutiny for similar misconduct allegations in Wisconsin and Alaska. Concerns about her management style and the impact on work morale have led to what has been described as a “mass exodus” from her previous roles. Employees in Alaska expressed distress over Knox’s controversial practices, prompting a reevaluation of her professional conduct.
Additionally, her history includes involvement in a notable custody case where a Georgia couple lost custody of their children after bringing them to the hospital for a suspected injury. The couple spent over a year fighting to regain custody, strongly asserting that their child was not abused. Such incidents have raised alarms among advocacy groups, including the Wisconsin Innocence Project, which warned of risks stemming from Knox’s prior work conduct, including allegations of bullying and misdiagnoses.
As allegations against Dr. Knox emerged, criticism of the oversight and accountability in her hiring process by UF Health has intensified. Questions have been raised regarding how an individual with a history of such controversial conduct was employed in the first place. A spokesperson for the university stated that they do not typically comment on personnel matters, thus limiting transparency regarding their vetting process.
Reports suggest that Knox’s application included positive letters of recommendation from colleagues, some of which were written before her past controversies became widely known. Critics of her hiring have emphasized a failure in adequately vetting her professional history, pointing to a lack of thorough examinations of the criteria used during the hiring process. Concerns for accountability and the necessity for a transparent evaluation of Knox’s past are at the forefront as the situation unfolds.
In summary, Dr. Barbara Knox’s resignation has sparked significant attention regarding workplace misconduct allegations at UF Health Jacksonville. With ongoing concerns about child safety and the management style within the First Coast Child Protection Team, this incident raises critical questions about hiring practices and oversight that may need to be addressed moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- First Coast News
- Google Search: Jacksonville child abuse pediatrician
- Orlando Sentinel
- Google Scholar: Dr. Barbara Knox
- First Coast News – Toxic Work Environment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pediatrician
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
