JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast News has obtained a copy of a separation agreement signed by the University of Florida and Dr. Barbara Knox, ending her tenure with the university on August 15, 2025.

According to the agreement, Knox will remain on paid terminal leave until her resignation takes effect. Any unused vacation time will be paid out under the university’s special pay plan.

A University of Florida spokeswoman declined our request for an interview on the subject.

Knox’s resignation comes months after nine members of the First Coast Child Protection Team she led spoke exclusively with First Coast News calling for her to be fired. They raised concerns about an allegedly toxic work environment and her handling of child abuse cases.

“I mean there have been numerous times, and we all have been on call with Knox, and she will tell us not to call her past a certain time,” an employee said. “I have to staff this case about a kid with an injury, but I’m scared to call her because she told me not to, then what do you do?”

“We are here to champion the children. We’re here to protect those that can’t speak for themselves, yet we are in the middle of being bullied and retaliated against,” one employee said, “How do you go to work every day and protect abused children when the abuse is being perpetrated against you and your peers?”

Similar concerns were voiced and made public in Alaska and Wisconsin where Knox previously worked before she was hired by the University of Florida.

In Wisconsin, Knox was placed on paid administrative leave in 2019 due to workplace issues. A letter obtained by Wisconsin Watch said, “The reason she was placed on leave did not relate to dishonesty, clinical skills, medical diagnostic abilities, or incorrect medical diagnoses.” She resigned before an investigation was completed, according to UW Health.

“It’s not shocking that hospitals aren’t doing the right thing, but just allowing her to resign is just, to me, I am so sad about that,” Brenna Siebold said.

Siebold says she and her husband were investigated for child abuse in 2018 after they took their baby to a Wisconsin hospital for a high fever. They say they were questioned by Dr. Knox about bruises on their child who they say has a rare genetic condition. The Siebolds say they were never charged and after being interviewed by police were allowed to go home with their son but still had to go through a Child Protective Services investigation.

After Wisconsin, Knox then worked in Alaska where former employees made numerous complaints about her management and medical judgment, according to Wisconsin Watch and Anchorage Daily News, two news outlets that covered the complaints against her extensively. She resigned from her position in Alaska in 2022 and joined the University of Florida that same year. The University of Florida told First Coast News Knox’s current salary is $255,000.

As part of the separation agreement, the University of Florida Board of Trustees (UFBOT) agreed to waive the restrictive covenant in Knox’s 2022 offer letter, which effectively removes any non-compete restrictions that could limit her future employment.

In exchange, Knox signed a broad release of claims, giving up the right to sue the university under state or federal laws, including those related to discrimination, civil rights, workplace safety, or whistleblower protections. The agreement specifies that neither party admits any wrongdoing.

The agreement also includes a non-disparagement directive: UFBOT will instruct Dr. Linda Edwards, Dean of the College of Medicine – Jacksonville, not to disparage Knox and to direct reference checks to a third-party employment verification service and “provide no further reference.” The agreement says the university “will respond truthfully to any specific questions it may receive directly from a potential employer or licensing body for purposes of licensing of privileges.”

The document notes that Florida’s public records laws apply, meaning the separation agreement is not confidential.

We reached out to Knox but have not yet heard back. 

“We want her medical license taken away,” Brenna Siebold said. “We want some way of her being held accountable for her behavior because this is just going to continue to happen at other institutions if something isn’t done.”