One physician’s passion for social justice improves health equity for women
Jayci Knights, MD, FACOG Associate Chief Medical Officer, East Region
When Jayci Knights, MD, chose to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, she had a definite and specific reason. “I’ve always had a passion for women’s health and a commitment to social justice,” she says. “I wanted to create a space where women could care for their bodies in the way they felt was best.”
For over 20 years, she has balanced patient care with teaching future doctors – all while taking on leadership roles to help advance social equity in healthcare.
As Associate Chief Medical Officer of Jefferson Health – East Region, Dr. Knights oversees the expansion of Jefferson’s services in New Jersey and manages clinical and administrative issues related to the medical staff. In addition to her leadership role, she sees patients within Jefferson’s growing Primary & Specialty Care Women’s Health practice.
“Health equity is a newer way to think about healthcare, quality and safety – which have always been foremost on my mind.”
“I’ve never let go of clinical work because it’s my first love,” says Dr. Knights, an assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University. “I’m still delivering babies, doing surgeries, office visits, the whole thing.”
At Jefferson Health, Dr. Knights ensures compliance with health regulations and leads efforts to enhance the quality and safety of patient care. She works collaboratively with the administrative team and clinical chiefs in matters of quality, patient care, resource management and physician performance. Her initiatives have been particularly directed at identifying and addressing healthcare disparities within the community, and emphasizing patient and family experiences.
“We are working with an equity lens, ensuring our outcomes improve for all patients,” she says. “This focus has also fostered a more inclusive environment for patients and staff.”
Among her initiatives, providing high-value prenatal and postpartum care, especially for Black and Brown women, has a strong track record. “We know that access to prenatal appointments is challenging,” she says. “We have changed our outpatient structure and protocols to increase access, and collaborated with the state to offer postpartum in-home visits for mothers in participating counties.”
“In the last year, we have received many accolades that acknowledge our improvements in patient care among populations that are typically underserved,” she adds.
Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Dr. Knights moved to the region for undergraduate studies at Princeton University. After medical school at UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, she completed her OB/GYN training at Drexel University (formerly MCP-Hahnemann University Hospital) in 2001.
When Dr. Knights joined Jefferson in 2021, the world was still grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19. Her previous role as Chief Medical Officer at CAMcare, a federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC), prepared her well for the challenge. During the outbreak, she collaborated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a mega-vaccination site in Camden.
“Taking Jefferson from the acute reaction of COVID to living with it has been a special challenge,” says Dr. Knights, who holds a certificate in executive leadership from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
“We continue to strive for hospital and process improvements, to stay on the cutting edge and ensure our patients get the best experience,” she adds.
Dr. Knights finds her Associate CMO role fulfilling as it encapsulates her diverse interests and passions. “It feels like it fits like a glove, because it takes everything I’m interested in and puts it in a nutshell,” she says. “Health equity is a newer way to think about healthcare, quality and safety – which have always been foremost on my mind.”
1-800-JEFF-NOW | jeffersonhealth.org
