Dr. Knebl is currently the Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians’ Endowed Chair in Clinical Geriatrics, Interim Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, and Director of the Center for Geriatrics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). She is a faculty member at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (TCOM) Institute for Healthy Aging and medical director for several local assisted living and memory care centers in the Fort Worth area. A nationally respected leader in treatment, research, and education related to Alzheimer’s and dementia, in 2019 Dr. Knebl received a $3.75 million, five-year grant from the Health Resources Services Administration’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program to fund the UNTHSC Workforce Enhancement in Healthy Aging and Independent Living program. This award-winning program is working to transform clinical training environments for health care professionals and caregivers to better meet the needs of local older adults, many of whom live in rural communities.
Dr. Knebl holds an impressive list of professional appointments. She serves as Board Chair of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)and sits on the National Quality Forum’s Geriatrics and Palliative Care Standing Committee. She is a former Chair of the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation and Alternate Negotiator the U.S. Department of Education to the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. At UNTHSC, Dr. Knebl holds positions on the TCOM Academy of Medical Educators, the TCOM Curriculum Committee, and the TCOM Executive Committee.
Dr. Knebl completed her undergraduate education at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and earned her DO degree from the Philadelphia Osteopathic College (now the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) in 1982, followed by an MBA from Texas Christian University in 2002.
After finishing a traditional rotating internship, Dr. Knebl completed an Internal Medicine residency at Geisinger Medical Center, a Geriatrics fellowship at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center/Medical College of Pennsylvania, and a Geriatrics elective rotation at St. George’s Hospital/Bolingbroke Hospital in London. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with added qualifications in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Recently, Dr. Knebl has emerged as a leading voice on how to help elderly people stay healthy – mentally and physically – during the COVID-19 pandemic, with several articles featuring her expertise running in Texas media outlets. She has previously conducted research examining the efficacy of drug therapies on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and screening for cognitive impairment, among others.
In recognition of a career dedicated to improving the lives of patients, students, and caregivers, the Foundation is honored to present the 2020 AOF Physician of the Year Award to Janice A. Knebl, DO.
