Spotlight on Sharon Gabison: From student to researcher to educator

From student to researcher to educator, Sharon Gabison (BScPT ‘95) has held many roles in the Department of Physical Therapy. 

Her journey began as a student in the physical therapy program – then a four-year Bachelor of Science degree. “I always had an interest in health and how the body works,” she says. “I learned that, as health-care professionals, physical therapists have the opportunity to build relationships with their patients to assist them with their health and well-being. We spend time getting to know people and understanding their needs.” 

Since graduating with a BScPT in 1995, Sharon has had a long career that includes clinical practice, returning to the University of Toronto to complete a Master of Science at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and a PhD at the Institute of Medical Science, as well as a research scientist at the KITE Research Institute. 

No matter where she is, Sharon has always felt our department to be her home. After graduating from the BScPT program, she worked initially as a teaching assistant and then as a lecturer before returning to her PhD studies in 2010. She has since worked as a professor, educating the next generation of physical therapists. 

Having once been a student in the program, Sharon has seen firsthand how the program has evolved over the past few decades. “When I joined the program, it was much smaller with fewer resources. We’re now in a beautiful building with more space for learning and research to advance the profession of physical therapy,” says Sharon. 

Inspired by both her professional and personal life, Sharon is a strong advocate for individuals living with disabilities.  

“I have two adult children, and my eldest lives with autism. Whether I’m working as a clinician, an educator or a researcher, I really try to embrace and appreciate the perspective of each individual I interact with,” she says. In the classroom, her focus is trying to understand how best to assist students’ learning and keep them motivated to continue to learn. “When in the clinical or research environment, I think about what patients’ needs are and what their families’ needs are if they come with a caregiver,” she says. “I can’t help it – it's embedded in who I am. I try to use my experience to inform how I teach, practice and do research.”  

Sharon has spent several years leading the advancement of rehabilitation technologies to prevent secondary complications of immobility – whether it’s technologies that individuals or caregivers can use, or educational technologies that inform their health and well-being. Pressure injuries and ICU-acquired weakness are common complications of immobility and her work helps individuals and their caregivers prevent and manage these conditions. 

In recent years, Sharon’s research has transitioned to studying educational technologies and how they can be used to educate physical therapy students. “For example, I incorporate virtual simulations and ‘AI tools’ to see if we can use AI in our program to enhance student learning,” she says. 

As an advocate for advancing her profession, Sharon has taken on the leading role of creating our PT Alumni Council, an initiative meant to build and strengthen relationships between the department, students and alumni through events, volunteerism, mentorship and educational opportunities.