Recent UF grad transforms women’s pelvic care in Jacksonville, raises awareness statewide

By Jill Pease

Paige Gibson (right) and Pamela Hess presented on occupational therapy’s role in gynecological cancer recovery at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association annual meeting in January.

When it comes to women’s pelvic care in Florida, occupational therapy hasn’t always been part of the larger treatment puzzle. But fall 2024 UF Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduate Paige Gibson is changing that, bringing more attention to patients with gynecologic cancer at UF Health Jacksonville and increasing awareness about women’s health statewide.

“Overall, this is a huge win for expanding the reach of occupational therapy services and establishing a presence within women’s health,” said Gibson, whose efforts have helped double the number of monthly occupational therapy hospital sessions for UF Health Jacksonville patients with gynecological cancers from 20 to 40. “Plus, securing new orders for this patient population in such a short period represents a major achievement.”

Gibson believes that adding occupational therapy to women’s care enhances recovery outcomes, as it helps address patients’ physical, emotional, mental, social, and sexual well-being.

“What Paige has done is open up opportunities for UF Health, UF occupational therapy students, and research,” said Pamela Hess, O.T.D., O.T.R., a clinical assistant professor in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions’ Department of Occupational Therapy. “And, most importantly, she empowers female patients by giving them a sense of hope and return of their locus of control.”

An idea is hatched

It all started when Gibson was reviewing data on UF Health Jacksonville occupational therapy consults for her final capstone project, an in-depth learning experience that prepares students to serve as clinician-scholars when they enter the workforce. In the data she saw something curious.

She noted that OT consults, which are typically generated automatically through the hospital’s system or a manual physician’s order, were common for patients with cardiological, vascular, neurological, and orthopaedic conditions, as well as those with trauma, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses. However, requests for occupational therapy treatment for “women’s services” (such as surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiation for gynecologic cancers, along with ectopic pregnancies and uterine fibroids) were dramatically lower.

To fill this gap, Gibson embarked on a yearlong project that included meeting with physicians, developing an in-service presentation for rehabilitation staff, creating a patient education packet, and spending 14 weeks working with gynecologic cancer patients at UF Health Jacksonville.

“Not only did our patients benefit from Paige’s thoughtful and thorough approach, but our therapy team also gained valuable insights and tools through her efforts,” said Laura Tuck, MOTR/L, the rehab manager at UF Health Jacksonville. “Paige educated therapists and developed resources that enhanced care during therapy sessions while also proving beneficial for patients seen by physicians in the outpatient surgery clinic.”

Making the case

Following her December 2024 graduation, Gibson is studying for her licensure exam and hopes to work in a hospital setting with a long-term goal of opening a private practice in pelvic health.

Gibson gave a presentation on the role of occupational therapy in acute care, pelvic health, and discharge planning. She emphasized how occupational therapy could reduce readmissions, minimize wound complications, and shorten hospital stays.

“The nurses on that unit were very quick to note how they loved to see their patients up and moving with therapy, learning new techniques for activities for daily living that they have otherwise been unfamiliar with,” said Lindsay Brenner, MOT, OTR/L, an occupational therapist at UF Health Jacksonville and Gibson’s capstone site mentor.

The gynecological cancer attending physician in Jacksonville also agreed to add the education packet Gibson created, with its “tips and tricks from an occupational therapist,” to the discharge folder for her patients. Gibson’s materials cover dressing, bathing, and toileting, as well as incision care, conserving energy, and pelvic floor exercises. She created three versions tailored to patients who have had a hysterectomy, vulvectomy, or nonsurgical gynecologic cancer care. Gibson also introduced a template she built for the hospital’s electronic medical records system to help therapists with consistent documentation of patient pelvic health education.

“Paige’s interprofessional communication within the hospital really stands out, along with her ability to communicate to physicians, nurses, and other clinicians the role of occupational therapy and pelvic floor interventions prior to discharge,” said Sanaz “Suny” Darcy, O.T.D., OTR/L, a UF clinical assistant professor of occupational therapy.

Gibson, who is currently studying for the occupational therapy licensure exam, hopes to ultimately secure a job in a hospital setting and potentially open her own private practice that specializes in pelvic health.

“I truly believe I have a unique ability to talk openly about personal, intimate topics, helping women feel comfortable in their bodies and empowering them to prioritize their health with confidence,” Gibson said. “Additionally, my experience as a caregiver showed me that many girls and women with disabilities were not adequately taught or fully understood the importance of self-care related to women’s health. This realization fueled my passion even more, especially as I came to see how deeply this aligns with occupational therapy’s focus on education, empowerment, and holistic care.”