Heather Netscher is a registered Podiatrist who has 15 years experience in private practice. Heather is the only Podiatrist in Queensland who works exclusively with children. Heather is currently undertaking her Doctoral studies in the effects of foot orthoses on postural development in children with hypermobile joints. In addition to completing her university studies in Podiatry she is also a qualified Health and Physical Educator, and has completed her Masters Degree in Education. Heather has lectured at the School of Podiatry at the Queensland University of Technology for 5 years in the area of orthotic therapies.
The current Footlink Practice has been designed specifically by Heather to allow parents and children to feel welcome and at ease during their consultations. Heather believes that children need to feel comfortable for a correct and accurate diagnosis to be achieved. Children enjoy coming to Footlink Podiatrists and look forward to their visits.
Below is a brief summary of Heather's qualifications:
1997- Present Podiatrist in private practice - Paediatrics only.
1991-1997 Podiatrist in private practice - General podiatry.
1989-1990 Health Management Consultant - Mutual Community Health Society (S.A.)
1988-1989 Injury Rehabilitation Instructor- Adelaide Sports Sciences Centre
1984-1987 Secondary School Teacher- Qld. Department of Education
(Health and Physical Education/ Mathematics)
Qualifications
Diploma of Teaching (Secondary Health and Physical Education/ Mathematics) -Brisbane C.A.E 1983.
- Bachelor of Education- Brisbane C.A.E. 1989.
Diploma Applied Science Podiatry- Uni. of S.A. 1990.
Master of Education (Research): The Professionalisation of Podiatry: Recognition of the need for participation in Continuing Professional Education - QUT. 1998.
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate- preparing thesis for submission November 2006.
Thesis Title: The effects of foot orthoses upon posture and gait in children with joint hypermobility.
Location: Research Concentration for Physical Activity and Disability - School of Human Movement Studies, Queensland University of Technology.
Academic Awards
TG Mitchell Prize Awarded for excellence in Podology (the study of the human foot) awarded by the Australian Podiatry Association South Australia) in conjunction with the University of South Australia.
Professional Appointments
- Journal Reviewer for the Australasian Journal of Podiatric Medicine: 2003 - Current
- Podiatrists Panel of Assessors: Queensland Government: Current (2005-2010)
- State Trustee of the Australasian Academy Podiatric Sports Medicine: 2000-2005.
- Lecturer in Orthotic Therapies: Queensland University of Technology: 1996-2000.
- Board Member: The Podiatrists Board of Queensland: 1993-1997.
- Vice President: Australian Podiatry Association (Qld. Inc.) 1992.
- Council Member: Australian Podiatry Association (Qld.Inc.)-1991-1993.
- Scientific Committee Member: International Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport: 1994.
- Podiatrist for the World Gymnastics Championships, Brisbane: 1994.
Other
- Life Member: Sports Medicine Australia.
Some Significant Recent Conference Presentations
2000 Invited speaker: South Australian Podiatry Association State Conference.Presentation Titles: o Balance in Children.o Plaster cast Modification Technique for Children's Orthotic Devices: Application of plaster expansion to the medial aspect of the calcaneus.
2000 Invited speaker: Pre-Olympic Congress 2000- International Congress of Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education. Presentation Title: Symposium on Orthoses verses exercise therapy in the treatment of foot conditions.
2000 Invited to chair a keynote presentation at the Pre-Olympic Congress 2000- International Congress of Sport Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Education.Presentation Title: McPoil, T. The use of static foot angle to predict dynamic foot pressure during running.
2001 Invited speaker: Child Health Nurse Clinical Meeting, Wesley Hospital.Presentation Title: Postural Development: An amazing feat.
2001 Presenter: Australasian Podiatry Conference, Canberra.Presentation Titles: o Assessment of Joint Hypermobility in Children: Theoretical update and clinical implications.o Orthosis Design for the Paediatric Hypermobile Foot: Medial plaster expansion technique.
2001 Invited speaker Child Health Nurse State Conference, Emerald.Presentation Title: Foot conditions in Children.
2002 Presenter: University of Queensland/ Queensland University of Technology Postgraduate Conference, North Stradbroke Island.Presentation Title: Joint Hypermobility: Methods of Assessment and Classification.
2003 Presenter: University of Queensland/ Queensland University of Technology/ Griffith University Postgraduate Conference, North Stradbroke Island. Presentation Title: The effectiveness of foot orthoses for children with joint hypermobility.
2004 Presenter: Australian Podiatry Association (Qld) Inc. Conference, Brisbane.Presentation Title: Children's foot Problems: What's Normal and what's not: Will they or won't they grow out of it?
2004 Presenter: Child Health Nurse State Conference, Toowoomba.Presentation Title: Foot problems in Children: Will they or won't they grow out of it? What's Normal and what's not?
2004 Presenter: SMA conference Alice Springs.Presentation Title: Heel pain in Children.
2004 Invited speaker: Child Health Nurse Clinical Meeting, Logan Central.Presentation Title: Foot problems in Children: Will they or won't they grow out of it? What's Normal and what's not?
2005 Invited speaker: Nestle Child Health Symposium, Brisbane.Presentation Title: Foot problems in Children: Will they or won't they grow out of it? What's Normal and what's not?
2005 Invited speaker: Nutricia Child Health Symposium, Brisbane.Presentation Title: Foot problems in Children: Will they or won't they grow out of it? What's Normal and what's not?
2005 Invited Speaker: Australian Podiatry Association (Qld) Inc. Continuing Professional Education Paediatric Symposium.Presentation Title: Children's foot conditions and Footwear: Facts and Fables.
2005 Presenter: 21st Australasian Podiatry Conference, Christchurch NZ.Presentation Title: Quantification of factors that influence joint mobility and stability in children, and identification of the differences between children with joint hypermobility, and age and gender matched controls.
2005 Invited Speaker: Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Health, Podiatry.Presentation to final year podiatry students on Paediatrics.
2005 Presenter: 13th Annual Child Health Conference, Gladstone.Presentation Title: Musculo-skeletal pain in children: Why should they suffer?
2006 Invited Speaker: Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Health, Podiatry.Presentation to final year podiatry students on Paediatrics.
