Podiatry Graduate Story: Dr Mahitha Naidu
Dr Mahitha Naidu has recently graduated from the MSc Podiatry (Pre registration) course at Health Sciences University. She came to study at HSU in Bournemouth, having previously worked in a vascular surgery department in India. As one of HSU’s first group of graduates from the Podiatry course, Mahitha gives her view on the course, together with her recommendations for future Podiatry students.
Mahitha’s Background
“While working in India in the vascular surgery department, I treated numerous venous and arterial ulcers. At that time, I realised how limited awareness of podiatry was in India.
“Treating those ulcers sparked my interest in learning more about the lower limbs, particularly the feet. I was fascinated by how much people take their feet for granted and was surprised at the number of conditions and issues that can arise in this often-overlooked part of the body. This passion for understanding foot health drove me to pursue podiatry.”
Highlights of the Podiatry course
“One of my favourite aspects of studying podiatry was the clinical experience, particularly during our Thursday clinics, and my placements in both private practice and the NHS.
“Having experience in both NHS and private practice placements was invaluable. It gave me a clear understanding of the differences between the two settings and helped me appreciate the range of specialities podiatrists can develop.
“Whilst my background and primary interest are in vascular podiatry, Dr. Ivan Bristow’s teaching made me fall in love with podiatric dermatology, which opened my eyes to a whole new area of fascination within the field.”
How The Course Placements Helped Mahitha’s Learning
“My placements were an incredible part of my learning experience. Applying the theory that I learnt in class to real-life situations was extremely exciting and gave me a deeper understanding of podiatry.
“I was fortunate enough to work with podiatric surgeons, which gave me the chance to observe surgeries, an experience that was both fascinating and inspiring.
“My placements in Swindon were particularly memorable. I had the opportunity to work with diabetes-specialist podiatrists, community podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and within the emergency department. It was such a rewarding experience, and it helped me secure a band six specialist job there even before graduating!
“I truly believe that placements are a crucial part of the learning process. They allow you to explore different aspects of podiatry and help you decide which path you want to pursue in the future.”
The support at Health Sciences University
“One of the highlights of this course is the incredible staff we get to learn from; amazing minds like Michelle Spruce and Simon Otter have been a source of inspiration. As an international student, settling into a new country was a challenge, but they made the transition so much easier and made it feel like home.
“Even though this is a relatively new course for the university, HSU did a fantastic job at providing us with all the equipment we needed in the clinic rooms. I can’t forget the incredible support, and informal conversations I received from HSU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Lesley Haig. Knowing she was there to support me meant a lot.
“This course has truly been a unique and rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.”
The Benefits of Studying at Health Sciences University
“First and foremost, its location near the beach was a bonus!
“I was also excited by the idea of being part of the first cohort for this course and getting to see it evolve from the ground up. It felt like a unique opportunity to contribute to something new and watch it grow.
“What I appreciated most about the course was that it wasn’t just about working alone. We frequently collaborated with other specialities, like rehab, lower limb clinics, and dietetics clinics, through referrals, and vice versa, which gave us a true sense of interdisciplinary care.
“The group size in our class was another big plus as it was easy to bond, encourage each other, and learn from everyone’s unique health backgrounds. Everyone brought something different to the table, which was a great way to broaden our perspectives.
“Another factor was the January intake. Not many universities offer this, and it fitted perfectly with my plans. Although I didn’t have the chance to visit the university beforehand, as I was in India during my application process, I was really impressed with what I learned online, especially the facilities and the campus building.
“Looking back, I feel lucky to have chosen this university. It’s been an exciting and rewarding experience.”
Recommendations for Future Podiatry Students
“I would say ‘go for it!’ Podiatry is an incredibly satisfying and rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“One of the best things about podiatry is the variety of specialities you can choose from, such as diabetes, vascular, dermatology, rheumatology, podiatric surgery, and even forensic podiatry. If you’re interested in teaching or research, there are plenty of opportunities to explore those areas as well.
“It’s also a secure career choice as podiatrists are in high demand.
“If you’re passionate about healthcare and want a career that offers both challenges and rewards, podiatry could be the perfect path for you!”
Mahitha’s Ambitions for the Future
“I’m particularly interested in vascular and dermatology podiatry, so I aim to pursue development courses or a master’s degree to specialise in these areas.
“I plan to dive deeper into vascular podiatry, as I feel there could be more awareness made around Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
“I hope to contribute to the field by researching, publishing papers, and raising awareness. I would love to organize initiatives like pop-up clinics and create educational posters to help people better understand PAD and its risks. I’m passionate about this cause, and excited to make an impact in this area.”
You can find out more about the MSc Podiatry (Pre registration) course here.
