What made you want to become a Podiatrist?
I didn’t set out to become a podiatrist, but I knew I wanted to work in a field that provides care to people, and involves a hands-on approach. Initially I completed an engineering apprenticeship and then after that went to university which is where I encountered podiatry for the first time. I transferred over based on the combination of technical work (making custom foot orthotics) and being face-to-face with people most of the time. It was a good decision.
Where did you study Podiatry?
I studied at La Trobe University in Melbourne. Initially I did one year of science but during that year I took an elective from the podiatry program called ‘Biomechanics of Human Movement’ which I thought was great. I then did the four-year podiatry degree, followed by a full-time PhD on a government scholarship – the main plantar fasciitis research got published in the BMJ because I had very good supervisors (Prof. Karl Landorf and Prof. Hylton Menz). I have also completed graduate studies (medical sonography) at Curtin University of Technology.
What do you enjoy about working in the country?
I think country towns like Colac make a lot of sense – there are lots of reminders that the everyday things are really what matter most. Country towns set a good example for how to work in healthcare too, and we are set-up to respond to whatever the foot/ankle needs are in the community here. I have some family history in Colac and Birregurra (through the Anglican church) which is nice.
What conditions or injuries do you like to treat?
Overall I probably like to meet people where their needs are and do something useful to help them – whatever the foot problem is. I do really enjoy making foot orthotics for children because kids with flexible flat feet (hypermobility) experience instability when running which can be off-putting for them and reduce their confidence. I have also seen a lot of people with severe forms of plantar fasciitis (heel pain) which can be a very resistant condition and can cause a lot of pain and disruption.
What’s the best thing about being a Podiatrist?
The best thing is probably the people we meet and the conversations we have. I’ve learnt so much from the people who have come to see me for help with their feet over the years. Podiatry is an interesting job because we specialise in a body segment – the foot and ankle – and what we are trained to do is quite diverse and rewarding.
