Yvonne Buckley

Podiatrist (Biomechanics)

I graduated from NUI Galway Podiatry with a 1^st Class honours in 2016. I immediately commenced working for Firefly Foot and ankle clinic in Galway and Sligo. This is a biomechanical clinic and is a provider of foot orthoses in Ireland and the UK. I worked there for 2 months part-time, during this time I began to hone my skills at biomechanical assessments and orthotic prescription. I decided to take a job in South Tipperary General Hospital in August 2016. I spent 7 months there as part of the Diabetes team. I wanted to gain as much exposure to different areas of podiatry. Working independently in a busy hospital was brilliant experience. From learning about the referral system to working as part of a Multi-disciplinary team.  Dealing with complex wound cases daily was challenging and rewarding. I had the opportunity to implement the skills I had learnt in college into practice.

In February 2017 I moved to Dublin to commence working in Mary Moore Podiatry and part time with Firefly Foot and Ankle Clinic. In Mary Moore podiatry there is a strong emphasis in solving biomechanical issues. We treat both Private and public patients, using exercise, taping acupuncture, laser, and foot and ankle orthotic therapy. In October 2017 I began working with Mary Moore Podiatry full time. The company expended to include 3D motion analysis allowing a more in-depth assessment. This really opened my eyes to the different variables that one can analyse and the different aspects of movement that can predispose one to injury. It was following this that I decide to commence my Masters in Motion Analysis through University of Dundee in January 2019. It is a distance learning part time course, which allows me to continue working and implement the new knowledge I am gaining. I always wanted to do some further studies and I felt that this masters with an emphasis in dynamic movement and a grounding in scientific principles would be the perfect masters to enhance my current knowledge.

I really enjoy my job, I get to meet new people every day, some of who are the most interesting characters. Every patient has different needs and requirements, there is no one size fits all. I get to put in an intervention and see a result. I help people every day which is very rewarding. I’m really glad I studied Podiatric medicine at NUI Galway.