Laquanda Knowlin, MD

Bio

Laquanda Knowlin, MD, CHSE is a trauma surgeon at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA. 

Dr. Knowlin earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina Upstate and her Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed extensive postgraduate training, including general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 Trauma Research Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, and fellowships in pediatric surgical critical care and pediatric surgical simulation at leading institutions including Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. 

Her clinical expertise spans trauma, acute care surgery, and surgical critical care, with current roles including general surgery and trauma surgery positions in California. In parallel, she is an active consultant in neonatal and pediatric ECMO simulation and contributes to global simulation initiatives, including collaborations in the United States and internationally. 

Dr. Knowlin’s academic work centers on simulation-based medical education, pediatric trauma, and the integration of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality in surgical training. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and national presentations, and she is actively involved in federally and institutionally funded research exploring innovative approaches to resuscitation training and learner assessment. 

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Knowlin has delivered extensive didactic and simulation-based teaching across a range of pediatric and trauma topics. She is also committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in medicine through mentorship and service. Her professional affiliations include the American College of Surgeons, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.