Susan H. Oakley, M.D., FACOG, URPS

Education and Background

Dr. Oakley attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and completed a post-baccalaureate program. She received her Medical Degree from the Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, Israel in collaboration with Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. She completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and followed with a fellowship in Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati.

Dr. Oakley is from Pinehurst, NC, and traveled throughout Europe during her college years then completed Mission Work with her father in Malawi, Africa, before deciding to pursue a career in medicine. After training in Israel, she moved back to the states to pursue a fellowship in pelvic surgery and met her husband. The couple lives with their two daughters in Northern Kentucky. Both are elders at their church, and Dr. Oakley is a Girl Scouts Troop Leader.

Dr. Oakley hosts the “Lady Bod Pod” podcast, discussing women’s health topics.

Certifications and Memberships

Dr. Oakley is a member of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Urogynecologic Society, American Medical Women’s Association, and The Menopause Society. She has received board certification from the American Board of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also has received certification from NAMS (The Menopause Society).

She has received Center of Excellence recognition for Sacral Neuromodulator Implants for Urinary and Fecal Incontinence. She recently was an educator on Tibial Nerve Implantation at the American Urological Association conference in May 2026 and will co-host the 3^rd Annual Menopause Masterclass in Northern Kentucky in August 2026.

While working with St. Elizabeth Physicians (2014-2026), she was recognized for excellence in patient satisfaction and exceptional quality urogynecologic care.

Publications

Dr. Oakley’s research includes studies on pelvic floor disorders, acupuncture for sexual desire disorders, urogynecologic surgery, and implantable tibial neurostimulation systems. Her extensive research and presentations include:

• Oakley SH. International Medical Work. The Hills and the Springs magazine. Kenton County, Kentucky. 2018.
• Oakley SH, Ghodsi VC, Crisp CC, Estanol MV, Westermann LB, Novicki KM, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Impact of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy on Quality of Life and Function After Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jul-Aug;22(4):205-13.
• Oakley SH, Walter-Liu J, Crisp CC, Pauls RN. Acupuncture in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study. Sexual Medicine. 2016.
• Oakley SH, Ghodsi V, Crisp CC, Estanol MV, Westermann L, 
• Novicki K, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Impact of pelvic floor physical therapy on quality of life and function following obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASIS): a randomized controlled trial. Oral Podium Presentation at the American Urogynecologic Association PFD Week Annual Scientific Meeting 2015. Seattle, WA.
• Oakley SH, Crisp CC, Walter-Liu J, Pauls RN. Acupuncture in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire  disorder: a prospective cohort study. Poster presentation at the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting 2015. Disney World Resort, FL.
• Oakley SH, Ghodsi V, Crisp CC, Estanol MV, Westermann L, Novicki K, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Effects of Physical Therapy on pelvic floor symptoms and quality of life in postpartum women following severe perineal trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Research Day. Good Samaritan Hospital and Hatton Institute for Research and Education. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2014.
• Oakley SH, Crisp CC, Ghodsi V, Westermann L, Estanol MV, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Peri-operative Caregiver Burden in the Geriatric Urogynecologic Population. Oral Podium presentation (finalist) at the 14^th Annual J.Robert Johnson TriHealth Research Competition. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2014.
• Oakley SH, Estanol MV, Westermann L, Kleeman SD, Crisp CC, Pauls RN. Resident Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study Among Specialties after Implementation of the 2011 ACGME Duty Hour Restrictions. Oral Podium presentation (finalist) at the 14^th Annual J.Robert Johnson TriHealth Research Competition. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2014.
• Oakley SH, Crisp CC, Ghodsi V, Westermann L, Estanol MV, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Caregiver Burden of geriatric patients three months following urogynecologic surgery: a prospective cohort. Poster Presentation at the joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urogynecologic Society and International Urogynecological Society. Washington, DC. 2014.
• Oakley SH, Estanol MV, Westermann L, Kleeman SD, Crisp CC, Pauls RN. Resident Burnout: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study Among Specialties after Implementation of the 2011 ACGME Duty Hour Restrictions. Poster Presentation at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. 2014.
• Oakley SH, Crisp CC, Ghodsi V, Westermann L, Estanol MV, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Peri-operative Caregiver Burden in the Geriatric Urogynecologic Population: a prospective cohort. Poster Presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. Scottsdale, Arizona. 2014.
• Estanol MV, Oakley SH, Westermann L, Fellner AN, Ghodsi V, Crisp CC, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Effects of preoperative dexamethasone on postoperative quality of recovery following vaginal reconstructive surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Good Samaritan Hospital and Hatton Institute for Research and Education. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2014.
• Westermann L, Oakley SH, Estanol MV, Crisp CC, Kleeman SD, Pauls RN. Does Vaginal Packing Influence Patient Outcomes Following Vaginal Reconstructive Surgery?  A Randomized Controlled Trial. Good Samaritan Hospital and Hatton Institute for Research and Education. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2014.