Meet Podiatry MSc graduate Hilina
Hilina Woldegeorgis is from Ethiopia and has just completed the Podiatry (Pre-Registration) MSc at the University of Brighton. Alongside studying, Hilina delivered training sessions to Ethiopian health care staff to screen for diabetic foot disease.
We caught up with Hilina to chat about her time at Brighton and her plans.
About me
I’m an international student from Ethiopia.
I graduated as a medical doctor in Ethiopia in 2018 and worked as a general practitioner close to five years before deciding to join the Podiatry (Pre-Registration) MSc course.
I realised the impact podiatry can have in peoples quality of life from a personal experience in my family and how it can change the lives of many if introduced to my country. I wanted to be part of that positive change.
Why I chose to study at Brighton
Brighton had the shortest path to become a podiatrist with my health background – I was also interested by the fact its the first podiatry schooling the UK.
Placement learning
I had an internal placement at the university’s clinic and three placements at private practice (Active Life Podiatry and Excellent Care Podiatry). I also had two NHS placements at Guy’s and St. Thomas’, and Epsom and St Helier, and a leadership placement at the university.
The university clinic placements really gave us a solid foundation in hands-on experience and practical skills. I felt ready and confident going into the external placements, knowing what to expect.
The clinical tutors were awesome at preparing us for what we’d face and how to deal with unusual situations. I did hit a few bumps along the way, like when a couple of my placements cancelled on me last minute. Luckily, the placement team was great at helping me sort it out and found me an alternative placement quickly, so I didn’t fall behind.
Overall, it all went pretty smoothly!
My dissertation
The dissertation module was super engaging for me because it focused on a topic that hasn’t received much attention in my experience. I didn’t expect there to be so much to learn about wound dressings.
As I got into the research and read a ton of papers, I discovered all sorts of interesting materials and techniques that really impact how wounds heal. It was great to explore something so relevant and practical.
The whole process got me excited about healthcare innovations and boosted my confidence in my research and writing skills. I was genuinely interested in learning more as I went along. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that opened my eyes to a field I really want to keep exploring!
Working in Ethiopia
I was invited to deliver training sessions to health care staff in Ethiopia.
The first time, I led a diabetic foot screening campaign where I trained a few local healthcare staff ( doctors and nurses) and helped screen over 400 patients. It was the first podiatry-led initiative of its kind in the country, so it was a significant moment for me.
The second time, I went back with the intention of exploring the bigger picture, to get a sense of what’s happening more broadly when it comes to diabetic foot screening in the healthcare system. Particularly around awareness of diabetic foot complications and screening practices.
I spent time speaking with clinicians, visiting facilities, and just getting a feel for what’s currently being done. From that, I identified a gap that really stood out, which is the need to understand healthcare practitioners’ knowledge, attitude, and practice around diabetic foot screening.
So now I’m planning to start a small research project to explore that properly. It feels like a really important first step if I want to design training and interventions that actually work in that context.
After graduation
After graduation, my immediate plan is to focus on building my clinical experience in the UK, particularly in diabetic foot care and MSK podiatry. I’ve accepted a podiatry position, which I’m excited about, and I see it as a chance to keep growing as a practitioner while working in a multidisciplinary setting.
But alongside, I hope to return a few times a year to support diabetic foot screening and education in Ethiopia, and to explore more ways to help get podiatry formally recognised there – especially for people who desperately need care but have nowhere to turn.
Longer term, my vision is much broader. I’d like to help adapt the full podiatry profession to Ethiopia, where foot health is still an overlooked area. I’m especially passionate about establishing a podiatry training school there , not just to improve diabetic foot outcomes, but to build a sustainable workforce that can fill a clear gap in the healthcare system.
I really believe podiatry can make a huge difference in preventing disability and improving quality of life, and I want to be part of shaping that change where it’s most needed.
My advice if you’re considering studying podiatry
If you have the opportunity, I’d definitely recommend shadowing a podiatrist to get a feel for the daily realities of the job. I didn’t have that chance since podiatry isn’t available where I come from, but if you can, do it!
Also, explore the various podiatric specialties to see if any interest you. If it all resonates with you, I’d say go for it! Everything else you need to know, you’ll learn along the way.
Interested in becoming a podiatrist?
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Kerry Burnett • 03/09/2025