All about Hubert
What inspired you to study podiatry and where did you study?
From a young age, I was always interested in the science subjects, therefore my mind was set on a career within healthcare. I planned on leaving high school in 5th year therefore I applied for a variety of healthcare courses through UCAS and randomly came across Podiatry and the profession; never having heard of it before. After careful consideration and looking into the profession, I decided to pursue my career in Podiatry, involving the diagnosis, treatment and management of the lower limb, foot and ankle. I completed my studies at Queen Margaret University outside Edinburgh. Looking back, my experience of deciding on my career was very spontaneous however I am very pleased with my choice.
What subject did you enjoy most at uni and why?
This is a super difficult question as I thoroughly enjoyed multiple subjects at University, however I particularly enjoyed the theoretical and practical aspects of local anaesthesia and nail surgery. I really enjoyed these subjects within the course as I found it interesting to learn about the procedure of using local anaesthetics and nail surgery as it is a specialised and frequently performed treatment within our professional scope of work.
How was studying in a pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect on my studies and began during the second semester of my first year. I found it had many advantages and disadvantages. At the time, I was using both train and car to travel to campus and one of the biggest benefits was being able to attend online theory classes from the comfort of my house. This meant I could save on travel costs and save time on travelling. Unfortunately, the down side of COVID was that I did miss out on many practical sessions and classes on campus and the social aspect, missing the interactions with my friends.
What made you apply for the job at Grant Podiatry?
Following my graduation in 2023, I began my career in a private practice. In early 2024, I was seeking a new challenge which was closer to home and I came across the job advertised at Grant Chiropody and Podiatry, and decided to apply for the position. I was aware that the clinic was family owned, very well known, highly reputable and established for a long time. The clinic had to offer a graduate mentorship scheme with support that I had a lack of as a new graduate. All of these factors were very appealing and I knew I wanted to become a part of the team. After receiving a job offer I spent a day shadowing my (now current!) colleagues to experience how both they and the clinic work on a daily basis.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I absolutely love all aspects of my job, each day is different which means I am always looking forward to my caseload and the day ahead, interacting with new and existing patients, ensuring people are at ease and comfortable during treatment. The most rewarding part is building a strong, positive rapport with patients and being able to help and provide them with relief from any experienced foot pain. It is satisfying to know that I am making a small but meaningful difference to a person and their foot health. I enjoy working across both our clinics in Falkirk and Bo’ness.
Is there an area of work you’d like to specialise in so far?
I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of aspects of Podiatry, however I am most interested in biomechanics and the musculoskeletal system of the lower limbs. I enjoy problem solving and assessing an area of pain followed by the management process. I am hoping to specialise in this area with time. Additionally, I am particularly interested in nail surgery, dermatology, routine care and the circulatory system of the lower limbs. I continue to develop and update my professional skills and knowledge by attending online and in person courses, reading newly published research, journal articles and the bi-monthly edition of The Podiatrist newsletter.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In regard to my personal time, I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my partner, and, my friends and family. I enjoy travelling and exploring new places, trying out new restaurants and sometimes just relaxing. The past few years I have developed an interest in cycling and attending the gym. I am enjoying regularly partaking in my hobbies as working closer to home, I have a better work/life balance, which also has a positive impact on my work.
