Samantha W. E. Knight, MD

Dr. Knight is a fellowship-trained pediatric and fetal surgeon who specializes in the care of babies and children with conditions that require surgery before or after birth. She provides compassionate, family-centered care for newborns, infants and children and works closely with parents to guide them through every stage of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Originally from Canada, Dr. Knight completed her medical degree in Ireland followed by general surgery residency training at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. She went on to complete advanced fellowship training in both Pediatric Surgery and Fetal Surgery, gaining expertise in the surgical management of complex congenital and neonatal conditions as well as minimally invasive and prenatal procedures.

At SIU Medicine, Dr. Knight partners with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists to provide coordinated care for families expecting a baby with a known surgical condition. She performs a full range of pediatric and neonatal surgeries, including treatment for congenital anomalies, intestinal and thoracic conditions and pediatric cancers.

As an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Dr. Knight is also dedicated to surgical education and research focused on improving outcomes in fetal and pediatric surgery. She is passionate about teaching, mentoring future surgeons and advancing research in pediatric surgical oncology and fetal therapy. She believes that caring for a child—or an unborn baby—requiring surgery begins with listening. She strives to ensure that every family feels informed, supported and confident in their child’s care plan.

Clinical interests:

• Fetal and neonatal surgery
• congenital anomalies
• minimally invasive surgery
• pediatric surgical oncology
• complex gastrointestinal conditions

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Knight enjoys spending time with her soon-to-be husband, traveling the world, reading, hiking, baking for the residents and learning to cook international cuisines.