Karen R. Gilbert, PT – National Director of Oncology Rehabilitation
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Chances are, as you go through treatment, you will be concerned about loss of function and energy. Karen Gilbert and her oncology rehabilitation services team understand these feelings and are committed to helping you perform at your optimal level at all times.
As Director of Rehabilitation Services at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center, Gilbert leads an integrated team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and massage therapists.
A licensed physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist, Gilbert earned her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Michigan. She has participated in multi-center investigational rheumatology research on fibromyalgia. Gilbert also facilitates a lymphedema support group for breast cancer survivors.
Drawn to the whole-person philosophy of CTCA, Gilbert joined Southwestern’s Oncology Rehabilitation Department in 1997. According to Gilbert, “Keeping fit and functional while receiving cancer treatment is a multi-faceted task that realizes the best outcomes by focusing on the entire physiological, psychosocial and spiritual systems of our patients."
In January 2007, Gilbert was appointed to the position of National Director of Oncology Rehabilitation to assist CTCA in coordinating and enhancing oncology rehabilitation programs and services across the regional centers.
When asked what makes the oncology rehabilitation services at CTCA unique compared to other hospitals, Gilbert says “CTCA encourages our therapists to spend the time and resources that are required to treat our patients with individualized and innovative treatment.”
Most of all, Gilbert says, it is her patients who are exceptional: “Our heroic patients make the difference. Not only are they functioning at a high performance status and are capable of traveling to reach us, but they all want to live life to the fullest. They are the cream of the crop of cancer survivors and it is a privilege to assist them with their therapy,” she says.
Gilbert and her team assess patients’ current status, and work closely with them throughout their cancer treatment to help them regain their strength, energy and independence. They strive to help patients maintain the highest level of independent function while doing those activities they feel are valuable and important. “Patients desire to continue those activities that they feel give their lives meaning and that give them a since of autonomy and health. They want to continue their interaction with family and friends, to attend weddings and holidays. They want to be self-sufficient and continue making informed decisions concerning their health care,” Gilbert says.
In addition to traditional rehabilitation therapies, Gilbert and her team also offer therapies specific to patients’ cancer type, like Lymph Drainage Therapy (LPT) for breast cancer patients, and Neuromuscular Re-education with Electrical Stimulation for patients with head and neck cancer.
Since all departments work together under one roof, Gilbert and her team are able to interact regularly with a patient’s entire care team to make sure each patient is getting the individualized attention they deserve. “The Oncology Rehabilitation Department could not function without the clinical support of our physicians, nurses, care managers, social services, mind-body medicine, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, patient relations and information management,” she says.
Gilbert and her team also help patients anticipate changing functional needs as they prepare to leave the center— to ease the return to home life. “Our patients are decidedly motivated to keep healthy and not loose their confidence in their own ability to enjoy living,” she adds.
Overall, Gilberts says, her goal for patients is “to help them reach their personal goals of function and safety while partnering with our staff and their loved ones to improve their life quality.”