Debbie Owen (principal podiatrist) Dip Ap Sc Pod, MAPodA
Debbie Owen is the Director/Owner of Ashmore Podiatry and started the business in 1994 after graduating from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane in 1991. After 25 years of client facing, Debbie has now taken a side-step and her primary role is clinical mentoring.
Catherine Sharp (podiatrist) BHSc Pod, MAPodA
Catherine is originally from New Zealand and completed her degree in Wellington. She is a senior podiatrist who has 21 years’ experience in podiatry working in New Zealand, United Kingdom and finally Australia, moving to the Gold Coast in 2010.
With three years’ experience working in the Middlemore Hospital in Auckland within the diabetes unit, Catherine performs a detailed diabetic foot assessment. Educating patients with diabetes is most important so that they can recognise the early signs and symptoms of the diabetic foot.
Catherine is accomplished in many aspects of podiatry including skin and nail care, high risk feet, biomechanics and orthotics and ingrown toenail surgery.
Sarah Sandner (podiatrist) BHSc, M Pod Med, MSEPA, MAPodA
Sarah is originally from Newcastle, NSW and completed her combined degree in podiatry at Western Sydney University in 2014. She practiced in Kalgoorlie, WA for four years prior to settling on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Sarah is experienced in many aspects of podiatry including skin and nail care, diabetic and high risk feet, sports injury management, biomechanics and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Sarah is a member of the Australian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. As well as working in private practice consulting patients, Sarah also holds a certificate as a sports trainer and chooses to work with a local Australian Rules Football club in this capacity.
Lauren Whitehead (podiatrist) BHSc, M Pod Med, MAPodA
Lauren graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science, Masters in Podiatric Practice in 2020. Originally from Victoria, Lauren like many Victorians, has decided to make the move to the beautiful sunshine state.
Having gained valuable experience working in two different podiatry practices in Victoria after graduating, this has allowed Lauren to become skilled in all aspects of podiatry and taught her the importance of treating all patients as individuals.
After spending many years working at the Athlete’s Foot, Lauren has a strong interest in footwear. She knows the significant role footwear can play in a patient’s recovery.
Louise Durack (podiatrist) BPod, MAPodA
Louise has lived on the Gold Coast for 15 years, having relocated from London via Sydney with her husband and two daughters.
After deciding on a career change, Louise completed a Bachelor of Podiatry at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast in 2023 and joined the Ashmore Podiatry team in 2024.
Louise has a keen interest in all aspects of podiatry with a special interest in lower limb biomechanics, orthotic therapy, diabetic foot care and ingrown nail surgery. Louise enjoys managing a varied caseload of patients from general podiatry, sporting injuries and paediatric podiatry treatments to complex heel pain conditions such as plantar fasciitis and achilles tendinopathy.
Keeping up to date with the latest research and treatments is paramount for Louise to assist patients in achieving best foot health outcomes and being a member of the Australian Podiatry Association, enables her to do so.
Melanie Georgilopoulos (practice manager and policy officer)
Melanie has a wealth of Allied Health Physiotherapy & Podiatry management experience, commencing her position at Ashmore Podiatry in 2024 as Practice Manager.
Responsible for the daily operations and protocol of our Podiatry Practice and Front Desk patient management. Melanie demonstrates knowledge and the required experience to assist our patients with regards to all Medicare Chronic Disease Management Care Plans (CDM CRM Referrals), DVA & Private Health Fund, NDIS and Work Cover processes. Melanie also exhibits the highest attention to the needs of our patients and valued support to our podiatrist practitioners, facilitating multiple aspects of quality and proactive practice management.
As an Allied Health provider, it is imperative Ashmore Podiatry complies with all policy & procedure obligations including the regular updating of the sterilisation and infection control policy. Melanie plays a fundamental role with regards to this continued process, acting as the Ashmore Podiatry policy officer.
Our professional & friendly FrontDesk team are an integral part of our practice by consistently ensuring our podiatry practice operates smoothly, their objective is to ensure all our Ashmore Podiatry patients receive a welcoming experience. Melanie, together with our podiatrists, aim to provide positive outcomes with regards to all patient overall foot healthcare treatment.
Peita Richards (business manager) Adv Dip FP
Peita is an articulate financial professional with over 20 years of experience providing financial planning & business advisory services.
Peita has great satisfaction from interacting and engaging Ashmore Podiatry with Sector & Allied Health networks and is responsible for key account management to ensure our practice development milestones are achieved. Analytically strong and technically astute, Peita has the ability to handle complex information effectively, and is skilled in providing financial advice to businesses to understand their financial goals, simultaneously assessing current and future risks.
Peita has a proactive approach to engage with our valued Ashmore Podiatry patients and is skilled in community services, quality assurance, accreditation, medical health education and health care policy.