Dr Barbara Knox resigned from a key role at the University of Florida after investigators confirmed severe staff mistreatment. She resigned from her position at the University of Florida following an internal report detailing a toxic and abusive environment.
The university’s March investigation revealed that her leadership style created a hostile workplace, causing staff resignations and harming the clinic’s mission. Knox served as chief of forensic pediatrics and child protection, where she oversaw sensitive child abuse evaluations and supervised a specialized care team.
According to investigators, she repeatedly asked subordinates to perform personal errands, such as driving her children or editing college essays. University officials concluded Knox’s behavior disrupted staff performance and damaged the team’s standing within the broader child welfare community.
They noted her requests were manipulative and dismissed her claims that employees volunteered for those tasks. These abuse allegations echo complaints from previous jobs she held in Alaska and Wisconsin, all involving bullying and staff intimidation.
Under her leadership, child advocacy teams experienced high turnover in both locations, with entire medical staff resigning during her tenure. From 2019 to early 2022, Knox led Alaska CARES at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
During that time, every clinic’s medical team member except Knox quit. The clinic responsible for investigating child abuse fell into crisis amid internal unrest and leadership complaints. Before Alaska, Knox departed the University of Wisconsin following another workplace conduct investigation. A settlement concealed the reasons for her exit, allowing her to move to new roles without red flags for employers.
