About Us

Debbie Owen is the director and owner of Ashmore Podiatry, which she established in 1994 after graduating from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane in 1991. With 25 years of patient-facing clinical practice, Debbie built Ashmore Podiatry into one of the Gold Coast’s most trusted private podiatry clinics—grounded in a patient-first ethos, clinical excellence, and strong community relationships.

While Debbie has stepped away from direct patient care, her leadership and vision remain central to the practice. Ashmore Podiatry’s clinical operations are managed by business development manager Peita Richards and practice manager Melanie Georgilopoulos, ensuring seamless, high-quality care and a consistently outstanding patient experience.

It’s a credit to Debbie’s passion and commitment that Ashmore Podiatry has developed enduring relationships with referring GPs and allied health partners. Her focus on excellent treatment outcomes continues to be delivered by our dedicated and highly valued podiatrists, serving the Gold Coast community with integrity and compassion.

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 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 graduated from La Trobe University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Masters in Podiatric Practice. Originally from Victoria, Lauren, like many Victorians, is a big Aussie Rules fan. She follows the Western Bulldogs from Victoria but has developed a keen interest in the Gold Coast Suns and often attends their games. Ashmore Podiatry welcomed Lauren to our practice in January 2023.

After gaining valuable experience working in two different podiatry practices in Victoria, Lauren has become skilled in all aspects of podiatry, including nail and skin care. She has a particular interest in relieving pain caused by ingrown toenails. If conservative treatment does not resolve the issue, she can perform permanent nail surgery. She enjoys seeing the long-term benefits of nail surgery and the visible patient satisfaction it brings.

During her university years, Lauren worked at the Athlete’s Foot, where she developed a strong interest in footwear. She understands the significant role correct footwear plays in a patient’s recovery and feels confident in providing footwear recommendations tailored to individual needs.

An outdoor enthusiast, Lauren enjoys swimming, cycling and running, which led her to train for occasional triathlons. Having experienced her own training-related injuries, she takes a special interest in helping patients with musculoskeletal issues. She is skilled in developing multi-faceted rehabilitation programs, incorporating strength and stretching exercises, orthotic therapy, and radial shockwave therapy when required.

Lauren has worked with patients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, strengthening her ability to provide care to both private patients and those funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

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 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.