Podiatry 2024: Speakers A - E

Rob currently work as MSK lead for Podiatry in South Staffordshire, having held a long-standing interest in podiatric biomechancis. The main focus over the last 18 months has been developing the impact of this over the service as a whole, specifically focussing on offloading, prevention and patient care pathways of the wider caseload.

Having a history of various workplace injuries himself, in both this role and his previous career out at sea, Rob has a particular interest in workplace MSK health, this eventually being the subject of his MSc dissertation. He  enjoys developing and engaging staff training, and working in the orthotics lab, when permitted to do so by the technician(!).

Outside work Rob enjoys running and spending time in the mountains (especially when these are combined). He also enjoys sailing, having done this professionally for a number of years, specialising in Ocean passage making and teaching.

Dr Backhouse is an Associate Professor within the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick. He qualified from the University of Southampton and gained his PhD from the University of Leeds.

Mike now leads a programme of research to improve the quality of life for people with foot and ankle problems in people with long-term conditions with a primary focus in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.

Mike has held leadership roles with British Health Professionals in Rheumatology and the British Society of Rheumatology. He continues to advise the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology and the Royal College of Podiatry. 

Janine Booth is the leading neurodiversity trainer for UK trade unions. She runs workshops and courses for the Royal College of Podiatry, as well as for numerous other unions, professional associations, public sectors bodies, charities and more.

Janine is autistic, ADHD and has specific learning difficulties of a dyslexic type. She was previously active in the RMT trade union, including serving on its national executive.

Janine strongly believes that we need to go beyond 'awareness' and take action to make workplaces and services more inclusive of neurodivergent and other disabled people.

More here: www.redinthespectrum.co.uk

Diagnostic Radiographer by background, I started my ultrasound career in 2008. My areas of expertise include general ultrasound, head and neck, vascular and small parts.

The journey into musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound started in 2011 and my current role is MSK Lead Sonographer at a busy teaching hospital. I’m an associate lecturer on an MSK ultrasound post graduate course and an external examiner.

I have co-authored several MSK ultrasound publications and regularly present at MSK ultrasound study days and British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) conferences.

I’m a member of the MSK Specialist Interest Group and Professional Standards Group at the British Medical Ultrasound Society.

Monique Cleary recently graduated with First Class Hons from University of Southampton. She continues her studies at Southampton, embarking on PhD research in Innovations in the foot health workforce.

Monique had a prolific university experience participating and becoming alumni of: Clinton Global Initiative University class of 2023; Council of Deans #150 Students Leadership Programme 2023; and Founders Business Programme at UoS.

In addition to her PhD research Monique has a special interest in diversity and inclusivity, starting an EDI initiative PodPIIC.com and soon-to-be published research on reporting of racism from students while on study-based placements.

Nina is an experienced children’s podiatrist and Clinical System Pathway Lead at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

She is actively involved in population health management initiatives for long-term conditions and serves as Vice Chair of the Children’s Podiatry Special Advisory Group.

Nina emphasises evidence-based, patient-centred care and regularly presents at conferences, contributing to the advancement of children’s podiatry.

She has received the Diamond Award from the Royal College of Podiatry for her contributions.

Michael Edmonds is Consultant Physician at King’s College Hospital, London, with special interest in the care of people with diabetes complications. He developed a new model of diabetic foot care, the multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic, in 1981, to provide early, aggressive treatment to prevent rapid progression of diabetic foot problems. The clinic at King’s College Hospital achieved a 50% reduction in major amputations in people with diabetes.

He has recently jointly formed the ZAP Amputations group (Zero All Preventable ) Amputations of FDUK (Foot in Diabetes UK) which sets out to reduce  the number of amputations in people with diabetes.