Staff Bios
Thomas Knisely, D.O., and Carilion Student Health Medical Director
Dr. Knisely received his undergraduate education from Pennsylvania State University. From Pennsylvania State, Dr. Knisely continued onto medical school and graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999. Dr. Kinsely completed his residency in North Carolina at Womack Army Medical Center. Prior to starting with Radford University's student health in 2010, Dr. Knisely served as an Army physician for seven years and served four years as faculty for the Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Residency program. Dr. Knisely’s approach to medicine includes an appreciation of the interdependence of the many body systems, emphasis on healthy lifestyles, educating people on the nature of illness and empowering them to make appropriate medical and non-medical decisions for their health.
Judi Cox, D.N.P.
Judi has been with Radford University Health Services since 1998. She also teaches at the university as adjunct faculty in the School of Nursing teaching Pathophysiology. Judi graduated from Radford College with her B.S. in Nursing. She obtained a Clinical Specialist in Home Health Nursing and Gerontology with a Master’s Degree from Radford University. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification from University of Virginia and an ND (ABD) from Case Western Reserve University. She then graduated from Radford University with her D.N.P. She has experience as the head nurse on the post-operative and orthopedic units at Radford Community Hospital for seven years, manager at a urology practice for nine years and assistant professor in the School of Nursing for eight years. She continued hospital staff nursing part-time for more than 25 years. She loves her family, her faith, singing and scrapbooking.
Kathleen Elswick, D.O. General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr. Elswick obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech, and completed medical school at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014. She then went on to complete both her General Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Fellowship at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. During this time, Dr. Elswick was able to pursue her passion for providing compassionate, holistic care to children, adolescents and young adults. Dr. Elswick enjoys enhancing resilience, while learning about each patient’s specific interests and goals. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and exercising.
Meredith Peters, P.A.
Meredith graduated with a masters in Physician Assistant students from Shenandoah University’s in 2015, and has been working with Carilion Radford Student Health for 3 years now. Meredith enjoys the unique educational opportunities in college health. Some of her areas of special interest are women’s health, orthopedics, mental health, and lifestyle & preventative medicine. Meredith received her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training from Radford University. Radford is a place that feels like home and she’s proud to serve the students of Radford University. She grew up in nearby Giles County and loves the beauty of the New River Valley. Her personal interests include spending time with her family, cooking, historic architecture, photography, and traveling.