Principal Podiatrist

BAppSc (Pod), MPH, Grad Cert HPE, ACNEM (Fellowship candidate).

With over thirty years of professional experience as a podiatrist, St Johns Foot Clinic Director, Virginia Bower has worked as a podiatrist in Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and Singapore.

Before founding St Johns Foot Clinic, Virginia established the first podiatry department at the Singapore General Hospital and was the Chief Podiatrist at Royal Perth Hospital before changing career to become an academic. Virginia’s last academic position was Associate Professor of Podiatric Medicine at the University of Western Australia where she coordinated the undergraduate podiatric medicine research units and the Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine Honours course.

Virginia enjoys all aspects of podiatry but has extensive experience in chronic disease, particularly the management of diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. Virginia is also a certified Barefoot Rehabilitation Specialist with the Evidence Based Fitness Academy in New York and believes that foot pain must be addressed from both a biomechanical and neuromuscular perspective. In 2023 Virginia enrolled as a student with the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental medicine and is currently studying toward becoming a Fellow of the college. Virginia believes that good nutrition, exercise and sleep are key to managing all our health issues including foot and lower leg problems.

Podiatry Assistant

Ellen embodies a myriad of exceptional qualities that are essential to our practice at St Johns Foot Clinic. Ellen’s gentle demeanour is perfectly aligned with the demands of healthcare, with her background also adorned with valuable experience. Her extensive tenure in the disability sector, nurturing children with special needs, followed by her dedicated service in the aged care sector as a compassionate care assistant, has endowed her with a comprehensive skill set tailored to the care of vulnerable individuals.

Within our practice, Ellen assumes a pivotal role in delivering hands-on clinical care and providing invaluable assistance during procedures. She’s also entrusted with the overarching responsibility for the well-being of our clients. Collaboratively with her peers, Jaimy and Matt, Ellen diligently upholds the standards of our sterilising room, ensuring a safe and sanitised environment for all.

What truly sets Ellen apart is her unwavering composure, even amidst our busiest days or when faced with challenges posed by difficult situations. She serves as a steadfast pillar of support, readily available to aid both our team and patients alike whenever the need arises.