Douglas Knox, MD, FAAFP, FACEP

Douglas Knox, MD, FAAFP, FACEP, is an emergency care provider at Amberwell Atchison and Amberwell Hiawatha. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Dr. Knox has demonstrated advanced training, leadership, and long-standing commitment to patient care. Throughout his career, he has cared for patients in emergency medicine, sports medicine, wound repair, and vein treatment, always focusing on compassionate, practical care when patients need it most.

On choosing Amberwell

Dr. Knox chose to serve at Amberwell after hearing years of positive feedback from colleagues who had worked at Amberwell before him.

“Colleagues who came to Amberwell would reach out to me and say what a wonderful place it is,” he said. “They talked about the staff, the patients, and the atmosphere. I’ve always remembered that.”

Dr. Knox values the opportunity to provide care in a setting where patients and providers can build meaningful connections and where teamwork remains at the center of healthcare.

On choosing to become a healthcare provider

Medicine was a natural path for Dr. Knox. Both of his parents worked in healthcare, and their example shaped his interest in caring for others from an early age. His mother served as an Army nurse, and his father worked in speech pathology and audiology while teaching at KU Medical Center.

A sports injury during middle school further inspired him to pursue medicine. Frequent visits with an orthopedic surgeon during his recovery gave him a firsthand look at patient care and sparked his interest in becoming a physician.

“I knew pretty early on that I wanted to be part of healthcare,” Dr. Knox said. “Being around medicine growing up and then seeing how doctors helped me during my injury made a lasting impression.”

He later gained early surgical experience through a plastic surgeon his mother worked with, assisting with and observing procedures while still in middle and high school.

On patient care

Dr. Knox is an experienced physician who remains calm, focused, and thoughtful during emergencies. Years of practice in emergency medicine have taught him the importance of staying steady under pressure and helping patients feel reassured during difficult moments.

“I don’t get flustered very much,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot through the years, and I think patients appreciate having someone who can stay calm and focused when things are stressful.”

He also believes strongly in prevention and patient education. In the emergency department, he often reminds patients that many injuries can be avoided through simple precautions and common sense.

“Safety first is something I say all the time,” he said. “A lot of emergency care is helping people understand how to prevent accidents before they happen.”

About Dr. Knox

Born in Manhattan, Kansas, and raised in the Kansas City area, Dr. Knox attended Shawnee Mission East High School before earning his education through the University of Kansas and KU Medical Center.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Knox enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing, playing tennis, and playing guitar. He met his wife while studying abroad in Costa Rica during college, and the two have built a family-centered life together. They have three children and one granddaughter, all with ties to KU.

He often speaks fondly of his wife’s Costa Rican cooking, her vast cadre of multidimensional talents, and the joy she brings to family and friends. “Anything she touches really turns into a wonderful experience,” he said. “She’s the most wonderful person I’ve ever had the delight to know.”