Grove City Medical Center News

Jacqueline Gay, DPT, Receives Recognition for Research Work by Academic Journal, Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation

Jacqueline Gay’s intense thirst for knowledge has been the driving force behind most of her life’s choices. “I love the process of learning,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like I just can’t get enough.” 

After earning a degree in English from Clarion University, she returned to college and received a Bachelor’s Degree in criminology. As she considered her next course of action, whether it might be pursuing a career in law or another academic challenge, she worked as a nanny for a family who had a young child. While in their employ, the couple gave birth to a baby girl with severe physical disabilities and Gay was charged with taking her to physical therapy sessions. The experience had a profound impact on her, influencing a career decision that seemed very much like a calling. She enrolled in college again, attained yet another degree, this time in biology from the University of Pittsburgh, and then entered Slippery Rock University, graduating in 2003 from its Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

Though she had, at one point, contemplated becoming a physician, she decided against it. “Spending time with my family is extremely important to me, and I wasn’t willing to make that kind of commitment to such a demanding profession,” she said. “Physical therapy was the perfect choice for me.” 

These days, an impressive series of academic accomplishments behind her, Gay is fully immersed in developing a dynamic professional career working with the team of physical therapists at Grove City Medical Center, in what she refers to as “a truly amazing physical therapy department.” Still, she remains enthusiastic in her quest for learning. Recently, an article presenting the results of a collaborative independent research project in which Gay participated was accepted for publication in the academic journal, Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. Partnering with Dr. Barbara Billek-Sawhney, Ed.D, PT, of the Graduate School of Physical Therapy at Slippery Rock University, Gay studied the “functional reach test,” which is commonly used to assess fall risk in older adults.

The project represented a labor of love for Gay, who is particularly interested in the unique rehabilitative needs of the elderly. “I really appreciate working with older adults,” said Gay. “I think many seniors feel as though they’re part of a ‘forgotten population’ in many ways, which is a real shame.”  

Gay finds one of the most appealing aspects of working at Grove City Medical Center is the opportunity it offers to work with those patients who occupy its 20-bed Transitional Care Center. Nearly all of the patients who spend time in this unit are elderly, and are recovering from orthopedic surgery, strokes, heart attacks or complications of diabetes. “It’s very rewarding to be able to help these patients return to their normal activities of daily living,” she said.

Currently engaged in three other voluntary research projects, Gay is also a member of a newly formed ‘journal club’ at Grove City Medical Center, which meets bi-monthly to discuss research, advancements and breakthroughs in the field of physical therapy. Not surprisingly, she’s making plans to continue her education and achieve certification as a specialist in wound care, an area that she believes has much potential for growth. “I’d really like to help advance the science of combining physical therapy with other treatments to minimize the risks of deep wounds, especially for seniors or people with diabetes,” she said. 

Gay is quick to add that she has another, rather lofty, personal goal—to eliminate high fructose corn syrup from the market. “It’s a major contributor to diseases like diabetes and obesity and serves no useful purpose in our diets,” she said. “It’s awful.”