Meet Patricia Nelson, PT, ScD, FNAP, OCS, Associate Editor

Introducing the people behind #JWHPT. Meet Patricia Nelson, PT, ScD, FNAP, OCS, one of our esteemed associate editors (Based in Belton, TX).

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

I have been a practicing physical therapist for 33 years, the last 12 spent primarily in academic positions. My start in women’s health was when a group of us developed a pelvic floor training program for a multi-specialty group practice. We brought in some of the top educators at that time to train us, then we became the trainers. My doctoral work also focused on women’s health in the area of chronic pelvic pain differential diagnosis and management. When the opportunity to join the journal arose, I felt it a great fit!

WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER WITH JWHPT?

I thought my organizing and communication ability could benefit the editorial team and wanted to give back in some way to the profession. I also had a desire to better understand research and publishing. Certainly there is no better way to learn than doing. I am grateful for the editorial team as we strive to continue the work started by the prior team- creating a valued communication tool about research important to women’s health and men and women with pelvic health conditions.

HOW ARE YOU ADAPTING DURING THIS GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS?

Moving abruptly to online teaching in a profession where performing physical exam skills is routine was certainly a challenge. One from which I, and my students, have learned a great deal. Zoom fatigue is a real thing- as I’m sure others have found. I am fortunate that I have a home office. To make it comfy, I set up spaces for my 2 small dogs who follow me around the house when home. As the weeks have gone by, they watch to see when we are going to ‘the room’! In addition, I have set up an exercise studio on my patio in the back yard and take frequent neighborhood walks. Despite this, some days I don’t close the ‘stand’ circle.

I, like others, am both excited and concerned about the global health crisis. I am concerned about rebuilding healthy communities as the cities and states ‘open up’ and hope we can learn to appreciate and trust one another. The opportunities for telehealth and collaborative practice are fantastic and hope they become routines for us.