J. Chad Knight, MSHA, FACHE is the Chief Operating Officer for Rutgers UCHC. As COO, he is responsible for all statewide correctional healthcare contracts, managing an annual budget of over $175 million and 1100 staff and faculty. UCHC provides comprehensive healthcare services to inmates and residents of the NJDOC and NJJJC, as well as sex offender treatment services to federal probationers and New Jersey parolees.
Chad is an experienced healthcare executive with a career spanning over 20 years progressing from allied health professional to senior healthcare executive. Chad most recently served as CEO of a privately held physician network in Atlanta, GA with over 1500 providers specializing in correctional healthcare and workers compensation. Prior to his role as CEO, Chad served as Executive Director, Correctional Healthcare, with Augusta University. As Executive Director, Chad managed the interagency agreement with the Georgia Department of Corrections leading over 1100 employees across 60 facilities while managing a $215 million annual operating budget. Chad has held additional positions as service-line leader with multiple health systems across the Southeastern US.
Chad is an expert in healthcare strategy, operations, process improvement, partner and government relations, contract negotiations, and culture development. Chad is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) with a Master of Science in Health Administration from the University of Alabama - Birmingham. Additionally, Chad holds a Master of Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from Berry College. Chad has delivered presentations at national conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals, and served on multiple healthcare and community boards.