Introducing the people behind #JWHPT. Meet Mary Dockter, the Senior Editor of the Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy (Based in Bismarck, ND)

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

I have a diverse clinical background working primarily in rural healthcare which constituted every arena! I fell in love with women’s health in the mid-1990’s having attended my first Pregnancy and Postpartum continuing education course. I began teaching full-time for the University of Mary’s PT Program in 1998 and have remained there since that time in the roles of faculty, director of clinical education, and currently as program director. I teach in a multiple areas including women’s health, professional practice issues, and geriatrics. It is a joy to find a vocation in which you are excited to go to work each day.

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER WITH JWHPT?

I was very unaware of all that the Academy (formerly called Section on Women’s Health) did when I first started with them in the late 1990s. I volunteered for a task force to set residency standards for women’s health (with little knowledge of what residencies were) and then moved into a task force to develop entry-level standards. I was then asked to run for the position of Director of Education and moved into that role just as the Section was gearing up for House approval of the Women’s Health Specialty Certification – what a learning experience that was! Since that time I have been fortunate to help write the original and revision of the Description of Specialty Practice which has kept me abreast of changes to women’s health clinical practice. I was looking for additional ways to keep connected to the Academy and knew and respected the current editorial team. Thus, when the position of Senior Editor became available, it was an easy decision to continue to stay involved.

HOW ARE YOU ADAPTING DURING THIS GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS?

Personally I have adapted to the global health crisis very well as I am extremely fortunate to be able to work from home and also have the added blessing of having my 2 adult children home with us for a short time. I continue my routine of early morning exercise (via zoom) or running and am extremely thankful our golf courses opened this spring! Professionally has been more of a challenge as directing a hands-on healthcare education program in a virtual manner is daunting. Thankfully we are all in the same boat and I have seen increased collaboration among our education community in sharing resources and ideas. This has certainly been a time to enhance our skills in grit, resilience, and flexibility.