Podiatry 2024: Speakers F - N
Rachel Forss
Senior lecturer in podiatry at Brighton University
Rachel Forss
Since 2013 Rachel has been working at the University of Brighton and is now the Course leader for the MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) course.
Rachel has research interests in wound healing, exudate viscosity and most recently how microgravity conditions affect wound healing.
Sally Gates
Podiatric Research Assistant
Sally Gates
Sally took a while to find her calling. After school she completed a degree in linguistics, then moved into a career in complementary therapy. It was reflexology that piqued her interest in feet and motivated her to retrain as a podiatrist.
Since qualifying, Sally has gained patient experience following complications from Covid, and has moved sideways into research where she is pursuing a PhD at the University of Southampton as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
She is proud to be chair of the College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group.
Alison Hall
Consultant MSK Sonographer
Alison Hall
I am a diagnostic radiographer by background and trained in ultrasound in 1996, specialising in musculoskeletal ultrasound in 2002.
Following a clinical and managerial career in radiology, I was employed as a Consultant Sonographer/Research Fellow at Keele University and clinically in two local rheumatology departments, developing musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound services in rheumatology, training appropriate health care professionals and facilitating research into the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease.
I have recently retired from this post but continue to provide clinical MSK ultrasound scanning and training for diagnostics and ultrasound guided injections on an independent basis within radiology, rheumatology, podiatry and physiotherapy around the Midlands and Northwest.
I am a regular speaker on diagnostic MSK ultrasound and guided injections and also work as an expert witness.
I am a co-editor and chapter author of How, when and why of musculoskeletal ultrasound, published by Elsevier in December 2021, and co-author of several published papers involving musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided interventions.
I am chair of the Independent Sonographer Special Interest Group and a member of the Professional Standards Group and MSK SIG at the British Medical Ultrasound Society.
Matthew Harris
Extended scope podiatrist
Matthew Harris
Dave James
Speaker coach and professional speaker
Dave James
Dave James is a speaker coach and professional speaker, known for helping professionals make their speaking more “you” shaped rather than speaker-shaped.
With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Dave now dedicates his career to empowering others to speak authentically and confidently. Drawing on his background in podiatry, public speaking, and stand-up comedy, Dave combines humour and insight to help people show up as their true selves on stage.
His keynote theme, How to Be a Happy Human, and his coaching sessions help individuals find their voice.
Find out more at davethecoach.co.uk.
Sina Kahen
Specialist in AI
Sina Kahen
Sina Kahen hails from the AI and medical tech industries with experience spanning strategy, design, and innovation across a decade in over 50 countries. He is also a successful author, having published a number of books, including Brief insights on medical robotics.
He is a thought-leader in conversational AI, and a keynote speaker on artificial intelligence, the pursuit of meaning, the future of healthcare, and the links between emotions and technology. With a professional journey spanning over a decade, Sina has built an impressive portfolio across product management, international sales, and R&D, and has consulted both established and start-up companies.
A qualified Biomedical Scientist with an MBA, Sina has authored influential books on robotics and philosophy. He led the commercialisation of one of the UK’s first robotic healthcare technologies and as co-founder and CEO of VAICE he advises organisations on disruptive trends, innovation strategy, and the future of work.
When Sina takes the podium as a speaker, or as a workshop leader, he brings his extensive knowledge and insight to topics like AI, healthcare, intrapreneurship, and the pursuit of meaning. He helps companies innovate and start-ups break out, and has worked with companies including Amazon, the BBC, Google, Imperial College, O2, Shell, and Novateur Ventures.
Dr Steven Kapp
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Portsmouth
Dr Steven Kapp
His research broadly considers the nature of autism and support for autistic people, conceptually; through participatory research with autistic people as community partners; and considering the perspectives of the autistic community.
A significant portion of his research has related to self-advocacy and the neurodiversity movement. As an autistic activist he has supported systems change work for inclusive employment and influenced the DSM-5 autism diagnosis.
He edited the free book Autistic community and the neurodiversity movement: Stories from the frontline.
Dr Nicky Keay
Sports and Dance Endocrinologist. Honorary Clinical Lecturer Medicine, University College London
Dr Nicky Keay
She lectures and researches in areas of exercise endocrinology, with awards and publications in this field. As a Research Fellow at St Thomas’ Hospital, Nicky was part of the international medical team that developed an anti-doping test for growth hormone.
Nicky’s clinical endocrine work is mainly with those navigating perimenopause/menopause and exercisers, dancers and athletes, with a focus on relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs).
Nicky is the author of Health hormones and human potential and her next book will explore the Myths of menopause.
Nicky is medical advisor to Scottish Ballet and a keen dancer herself taking four ballet classes per week.
Stephen Kriss
Podiatrist, and Council member of the Royal College of Podiatry
Stephen Kriss
Steve qualified as a podiatrist in 1982 in Manchester. On completion of his studies he moved to London taking up a post at City and Hackney District Health Authority. He took a keen interest in the diabetic and rheumatoid foot and became involved in a number of collaborative research projects. In 1982 he began a three-year part-time course in Traditional Chinese Medicine; he qualified as an acupuncturist in 1985 and practised for more than 20 years.
In 1985 he began a Masters research degree and established a multi centre clinical trial on plantar fasciitis. His thesis on Heel pain: an investigation into its aetiology and management was submitted and accepted by the Council for National Academic Awards for an MPhil degree in 1990.
In 1992 he was appointed as a part-time clinical tutor in podiatry at the University of Westminster. He also took a post at the Royal Free Hospital as podiatrist to the Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Departments. During this period he developed an interest in foot problems associated with Scleroderma and connective tissue diseases.
He started his surgical training in 1992 and in 1996 was awarded Fellowship of the Podiatry Association. In 2000 he was appointed as a Consultant Podiatric Surgeon. He is now retired from surgical practice.
He is an expert witness with the Parliamentary Clinical Ombudsman and continues to practise as a podiatrist seeing both NHS and private patients in the independent sector.
Emma Livingstone
Found and CEO of Up - The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement
Emma Livingstone
Emma qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist at Birmingham University in 1998 and has worked predominantly with children, running services for both pre-school and school-age children across London. More recently she has worked at City University supporting student speech and language therapists and also practices as a life coach. Emma is married and mum to three young and active children.
Emma was born with Cerebral Palsy and has seen a significant decline in her mobility in recent years leading to several surgeries and having to give up work. It was her frustration at the lack of knowledge and understanding of Cerebral Palsy as a disability affecting adults that spurred her on to begin campaigning. In 2018 she founded the charity Adult Cerebral Palsy Hub, now renamed Up – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, to campaign for better support and services and give voice to the adult Cerebral Palsy community.
Ffion Lloyd-Thomas
Specialist Podiatrist in Hywel Dda University Health Board
Ffion Lloyd-Thomas
Cutting out the middleman in arrythmia detection – an NHS project in Hywel Dda University Health Board attempting to streamline the process of diagnosis of atrial fibrillation through partnership with local cardiology arrythmia services to reduce primary care burden. A project hoping to use Kardia AliveCor technology and same day ECGs to improve timely confirmed diagnosis of cardiac arrythmias without the use of GPs.
Eryn London
Programme manager – Schwartz Rounds
Eryn London
Eryn London is the programme manager for Schwartz Rounds at the Point of Care Foundation. Additionally, she teaches pastoral care and chaplaincy in higher education settings.
Eryn is an ordained rabbi and board certified chaplain. She has experience working in various settings of care, such as senior residential facilities, hospitals and hospices.
Gareth McMullan
MSK Podiatrist
Gareth McMullan
My name is Gareth and I am an MSK podiatrist. I got my Bsc(Hons) in Podiatry at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2007 and then went on to study and gain a PgDip in Podiatric surgery at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
I got my PgCert with CASE accreditation in lower limb ultrasound at AECC University in Bournemouth.
Putting this into practice, I run my own clinic, Happy Feet NI, where I manage a caseload of wide-ranging lower limb pathologies of all age groups and work with sports teams both amateur and semi-professional in a wide range of sports.
I am a teaching clinic for several universities offering placements for their podiatry students and I also run a podiatry CPD company called POD CPD NI, that offers podiatry-specific training to podiatrists across Ireland.
I am a former member of the Northern Ireland Royal College of Podiatry Branch where I helped for several years.
Dr Veronica Newton
Lecturer in Podiatry at the University of Salford
Dr Veronica Newton
Dr Veronica Newton PhD, MSc, BSc, DPodM, PGCert, SFHEA, MRCPod is a Lecturer in Podiatry at the University of Salford. Her Senior Fellowship of Advance HE recognises her expertise and leadership in teaching.
Veronica has developed a special interest in hormone changes related to menopause and musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower limb. Her knowledge and skills support people in private practice, facilitated by the completion of additional training.
She has worked with the Royal College of Podiatry offering stakeholder feedback on NICE guidelines and is part of a University group supporting multi-disciplinary research across the life course.
Emma Noe
Head of Service for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Emma Noe
Emma graduated from University of Northampton in 2002. After a couple of years working for Scholl, she gained a graduate role in the NHS. Over Emma’s 20-year career she has worked in specialist high risk and wound care roles before venturing into the ‘dark side’ of operational management.
Emma is currently Head of Service for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) which provides podiatry services to the majority of North Yorkshire and York.
Emma also holds an AHP Lead role within HDFT that links into the ICB AHP strategic networks, holding a seat on the AHP Faculty.
Most recently Emma has been elected onto the Royal College of Podiatry Council and is really grateful to have been given the opportunity to support members and drive our profession forwards