Chiropodist Megan Grantham works at Omni Foot Clinic and The Cleveland Clinic, using a multidisciplinary approach to help everyone, from seniors to children to professional athletes, get back on their feet. 

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

I am a terrible morning person, so usually I wake up at about 8 am, shower, get ready and have my English muffin, banana and latte to go. I then hop in my car and begin my commute from East York to Burlington at 9 am to get to work for about 10 am.

Every day is different in terms of the types of patients I see. On any given day I will see athletes, seniors, kids and professionals, treating everything from warts to ingrown toe nails, and definitely a lot of patients requiring Orthotics. 

For every patient I see there are usually an additional 20 minutes of paperwork.  Billing, charting and writing reports to doctors usually fills up the majority of time not spent with patients.

Other days, I visit different clinics.  Typically I work with a sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist who refer patients with lower limb problems, where we then take a multidisciplinary approach to managing their injuries.

Typically I work until about 6:30, but depending on the day I can sometimes finish earlier, sometimes later.  It always depends on our patients and their appointment times. 

So, I am home at about 7:30, quickly fix myself something to eat and get ready to watch my stories: Community, Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock.  I then make my lunch for the next day and usually head to bed for 11.

What was your first job out of school?

This was my first job! I had this job lined up before graduating school, with a combined Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, and an advanced diploma in chiropody from the Michener Institute. I was recruited and didn’t even have to work on a resume.  Two short weeks after my final exams I was registered, insured and started working.

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Excellent communication skills- you need to be able to communicate effectively to patients regarding their treatment options as well as to other professionals regarding shared patients.

Time management- I need to make sure I am using my time effectively so I don’t run behind schedule and keep up to date with all charts.

Staying Neutral- not only do I hear complaints about feet but also medical problems of all other body parts and personal issues.  There is no ‘too much information,’ I hear it all and must keep a neutral reaction and mind instead of getting embarrassed, being judgmental or laughing.

What do you love most about your career?

I love my job because I help people.  A patient will present with extreme pain and then leave thanking you and pain free.  There is no better feeling than knowing you took away someone’s pain.   

Do you have any warnings?

Being a health care professional carries a lot of responsibility.  The wrong treatment can result in infection, limited mobility and, with diabetics, loss of limbs.  It is also so easy to burn out in health care, there are a lot of patients and there can also be a lot of politics when communicating and treating with other professionals.

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

Personal Shopper or Food Critic.  I love shopping and eating delicious food.