Dr. McKnight is an accomplished physician and healthcare executive whose career encompasses clinical medicine, hospital administration, healthcare management, higher education, and community service. Drawing upon extensive experience as a hospitalist, physician champion, medical director, and administrator, he has worked to improve patient care, strengthen operational efficiency, and expand healthcare opportunities for underserved communities.

In 2026, Dr. McKnight joined R1 RCM as a Payor Peer to Peer Physician Advisor. In this role, he conducts comprehensive clinical case reviews involving authorization requests, documentation, and evidence based criteria across multiple specialties. He collaborates with payor medical directors to determine appropriate authorization status, provides timely case analyses, and serves as a clinical resource to medical and case management teams addressing documentation and utilization issues.

From 2021 through 2026, Dr. McKnight served as Executive Director of Pathway to Practice at Cleveland State University. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health, he led a premedical and dentistry program focused on preparing students for acceptance to medical and dental schools while encouraging a commitment to serving underserved communities. His leadership encompassed program planning, fiscal management, student development, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with city and county agencies, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.

Earlier in his career, Dr. McKnight held numerous clinical and executive leadership positions. He served as Vice President of Value Consulting with Change Healthcare, Senior Medical Director with MultiPlan, Physician Evaluator with CenseoHealth, and Telehealth Physician with Ohio Medical Alliance. During his extensive affiliation with St. John Medical Center and University Hospitals Health System, he served in roles including Medical Director, Pediatric Hospitalist, Rainbow Rapid Care Attending Physician, and Pediatric House Physician.

Among his notable accomplishments, Dr. McKnight helped strengthen and revitalize pediatric services at St. John Medical Center. He established a hospitalist model that improved patient care and cost efficiencies, increased pediatric referrals by more than 20 percent, implemented quality benchmarks, and contributed to the rollout of Rainbow Rapid Care. The success of the Pediatric Hospitalist Model ultimately contributed to its adoption within adult care and obstetrics and gynecology.

Dr. McKnight earned his Doctor of Medicine from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University. He later earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2010, following a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management in 2009. He also completed leadership training through the Ohio State Medical Association and Physician Leadership Institute of Ohio. His postgraduate medical training includes a Pediatric Emergency Room Fellowship at Akron Children’s Hospital and a Pediatric Residency at the University of Chicago.

His commitment to healthcare extends into academic and community leadership. Dr. McKnight currently serves on the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Family Practice and previously served on the boards of The Gathering Place and Murtis Taylor Human Services System. His academic experience includes appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Dr. McKnight’s professional affiliations include the American Medical Association, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Healthcare Executives, and National Association of Corporate Directors. He has also contributed to medical literature through published research in Pediatric Emergency Care.

Medicine has long been part of Dr. McKnight’s family legacy. A second generation physician, he was inspired by his father, Herbert V. McKnight, MD, who practiced medicine in Washington, D.C., for 30 years. Two of his older siblings also became physicians. He credits his father as an important mentor and influence whose example helped shape his commitment to medicine and service.

Outside of his professional activities, Dr. McKnight is an avid sports fan, enjoys working out, and is married to a distinguished academic.

Guided by the principle of using his position and experience to help others, Dr. McKnight remains committed to improving healthcare both clinically and nonclinically. Through decades of medical practice, executive leadership, education, and community involvement, he continues to apply his expertise to strengthen patient care, improve healthcare systems, and create meaningful opportunities for future healthcare professionals.