Who are we?
The Podiatrist's Scope of Practice includes paediatrics, diabetes, wound care, sports injuries, structural problems (biomechanics), treatment of the elderly and general foot care. The complex mechanics of feet (52 bones, a network of muscles, joints and ligaments) and a wide range of foot problems (over 200 identified conditions) demand professional expertise. Podiatry is the medical science that deals with all things feet!
Mr Mike Curtin. B App Sc (Pod), B Ed (HMHE), MAPodA
Principal Practitioner
Mike's first degree was a Bachelor of Education majoring in Human Movement and Health Education from the University of Sydney. Following a stint as the rowing master at an independent school in Sydney, he travelled to Oxford in the United Kingdom and coached rowing professionally both at Oxford University Colleges and Headington School.
Mike later returned to Sydney and participated in further study, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Podiatry at the University of Western Sydney.
Mike has worked in a number of clinical settings throughout NSW, including 9 years working in private practice at The Foot Group (formerly Lane Cove Foot Clinic) on Sydney's lower north shore. His expertise in many varied sports has seen him work closely with high performance athletes in their training and preparation for competition as well as many club and school athletes in their pursuit of improved performance. He has done this through detailed application of biomechanical principals to improve efficiency and reduce injury. He has also played an active role in working with other health professionals rehabilitating injured patients and enjoys working as part of a health care team. Mike is one of a handful or practitioners Australia wide to be invited to complete his sports/biomechanics career framework, a testament to his professional contribution and expertise in the field.
Mike has varied interests in the field of podiatric medicine. Mike enjoys working in paediatrics, given his past occupation in education and the fact that he has three young children. He also gains satisfaction by giving patients a more permanent solution to their ingrown toenails through performing nail surgery under local anaesthesia. Mike has spent time working in high risk diabetic foot clinics and is also committed to improving mobility and activity through education and general foot care.
He is a member of the Australian Podiatry Association, Sports Medicine Australia, and Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australia (SEPA). Mike is currently serving on the board of SEPA and has the area of responsibility in regional health care and the Board's mentoring program. He is also leading in SEPA's integration and inclusion of Sport Podiatry New Zealand into SEPA.
He and his family are happy to call the Central West home and are actively involved in the community. Mike has served as President and Secretary of Bathurst Junior Rugby Club, has links to Central West Junior Rugby, and is currently serving as President of Bathurst Little Athletics Club.
Mrs Katie Middleton
Podiatrist
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) in 2007, from Charles Sturt University in Albury. Katie was born and bred in Bathurst and after finishing university went on to spend the next 11 years working at several private practices in Sydney. She has worked under the tutelage of Podiatric surgeons, diabetes and wound specialists. She started working at Central West Foot and Ankle Clinic in the second half of 2018.
Katie has worked in high risk placements at Wellington Hospital, New Zealand and rural high risk placements in regional west NSW. This is where she worked with feet at high risk of ulceration and amputation, such as those with Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease. She has also been placed at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne working with professional dancers (ABA) and AFL teams.
Katie is passionate about providing Podiatric Medicine to the communities of the Central West. One of the most important parts of the job is to improve and maintain mobility and comfort in her patients. This could be through regular foot-care and assessment, through to a surgical approach to problematic nails. Katie has a strong background in complex biomechanics and management of foot and ankle problems in both paediatric and adult patients. She is experienced in managing injuries from all type of sports has completed extra training in mobilisation, dry needling, taping techniques and worked with multiple orthotic laboratories throughout Australia.
Katie comes from a dancing background and suffered multiple injuries from this. She now has a passion for assessing, and managing dancers feet in the regional west. She has completed her Pointe Assessment training and is now the only Podiatrist in the Central West who conducts Pointe Assessments. Starting en pointe too early can result in the dancer developing chronic foot injuries that can cause ongoing issues in even the most competent dancer, therefore proper assessment and preparation is vital to a young student starting en pointe! There are many intricacies about dancing that differ to most other sports and Katie enjoys being able to help her young patients who’s needs may be quite different to other sports.
She is a member of Australia Podiatric Association (APA), Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australia (SEPA), and International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS).
In her spare time Katie loves practicing Pilates (and utilises this in many treatments)and Yoga.
Katie is looking forward to helping you achieve great outcomes for you and you legs and feet!
Mrs Robyn Brodie.
Receptionist and Administration Assistant
Robyn commenced working with Alignment Podiatry, now Central West Foot and Ankle Clinic, in April 2013. She has completed Certificate II Business Studies, Certificate III Business Administration and Certificate III Financial Services. Earlier this year she undertook further studies in Medical Administration which she has now completed.
Born in Bathurst, Robyn has lived here almost all her life. After marrying another local, they have raised two sons who are both studying at UNSW.
Robyn is our happy face at the front desk who is always available to help our patients with their questions. She is an invaluable member of the growing Central West Foot and Ankle Clinic family and she looks forward to greeting you when you need our help.