Knipp is a 1976 graduate of the School of Medicine, one of his family’s eight graduates of the school since his great uncle in 1859. He is fourth in a line of five consecutive generations of graduates dating from his great-grandfather in the Class of 1887. His son David, in the Class of 2014, became the school’s only fifth consecutive generation graduate.

A diagnostic radiologist, Knipp was a founding board member of one of Maryland's largest medical practices, Advanced Radiology, and helped launch its subsequent national company. He is a past chairman of the Maryland state medical board and worked there in various capacities for 27 years, and is a former delegate and fellow of the Federation of State Medical Boards. A veteran of prior gubernatorial task forces and committees, he was one of a small group that helped institute licensure of radiation technologists in the state. A former president of the Maryland chapter of the American College of Radiology, he also has worked in its national leadership. 

He is a past chief of staff and board member at Carroll Hospital and is emeritus staff at UMMS St. Joseph Medical Center. A past president of the Medical Alumni Association and recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, Knipp remains active at UMB as current chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, chair of the editorial board of the Bulletin magazine, member of the Davidge Hall Restoration Committee, and member of the board of the Maryland Proton Treatment Center in the UM BioPark. He was the proud recipient of the school's Catalyst for Excellence award in 2019.

Knipp has served on the UMBF Board of Trustees since 2009. He served as Chair of the Board from 2018 to 2024.