Student Highlights
On the front foot for a new career in podiatry
Playing soccer professionally in Japan and the USA and being a member of the Matildas for almost 20 years, acting as Captain from 2003 till 2009 when she retired from the sport, Cheryl Salisbury knows too well the inside of a physio room.
Hanging up her soccer jersey but with a keen interest in how the body works, Cheryl began to explore her future career options within the field of sport. One day, she took her son to see a podiatrist to treat a foot issue and she was sold.
“After that consultation with the Podiatrist I began to seriously consider a career in podiatry.”
“It ticked my interest in how the body works, involves aspects of nursing, and provides a sense of caring for others,” she said.
Studying a Bachelor of Podiatry at Ourimbah campus, Cheryl had access to state-of-the-art podiatry and orthoses laboratories and had the opportunity to practice her skills at the student podiatry clinic at Wyong Hospital, in private practices and also during her final placement.
“Being able to practise my skills at the Student Podiatry Clinic at Wyong Hospital was an amazing experience,” said Cheryl, who was also privileged to work at a high-risk foot clinic treating complicated diabetic foot ulcers and amputations.
“To have worked my way through the degree and be able to have the skills and knowledge to treat patients is extremely rewarding,” said Cheryl.
On placement at the private practice, she saw a variety of patients from sports injuries, paediatrics, general treatments and everything in between. A highlight of her placement was never knowing what condition was going to walk through the door next.
Cheryl found that getting back into the books after 20 years away from study was indeed a challenge but was committed to getting outside her comfort zone.
“The world of medicine and health care is constantly evolving, and my learning will never stop,” she said.
“There’s no better way to get better at something than to actually practise each day, which is what I did as an athlete,” she concludes.
After graduating, Cheryl plans to find local employment as a Podiatrist and is keen in the future to spend time in rural and remote towns of Australia helping communities without access to quality health care.
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Cheryl Salisbury
Playing soccer professionally in Japan and the USA and being a member of the Matildas for almost 20 years, acting as Captain from 2003 till 2009 when she retired from the sport, Cheryl Salisbury knows too well the inside of a physio room.
After that consultation with the podiatrist I began to seriously consider a career in podiatry.
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