Dr. Deb Schoen is a Lecturer in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in the School of Health and Clinical Sciences at the University of Western Australia. Holding a PhD awarded on 13 September 2019 titled 'Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of evidence-based guidelines for the Diabetic Foot in rural and remote Western Australia using the World Health Organisation Framework,' a Master of International Health awarded on 17 December 2010, and a Diploma of Applied Science (Podiatry) from Curtin University awarded on 13 December 1991, she brings extensive clinical and academic expertise. Her career encompasses 20 years in rural podiatry care in the Wheatbelt region, specialization in high-risk foot management at Royal Perth Hospital, and private practice. At UWA, she has taught units including Integrated Podiatric Medicine 1 [PODI4212], Integrated Podiatric Medicine 2 [PODI4213], Podiatric Medicine 3 [PODI4201], and Podiatric Medicine 4 [PODI4206]. She currently supervises higher degree by research students and is involved in projects such as 'Assessing the Quality of Life and patient satisfaction at the RPH Multidisciplinary Foot Ulcer Clinic' (2023-2028) and 'High Risk Foot Model of Care' (2010-2012).

Dr. Schoen's research specializations include high-risk foot conditions, diabetic foot complications in rural and remote areas, digital health, and health promotion. Key publications comprise 'Diabetic foot disease management in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a scoping review protocol' (2025, Epidemiologic Reviews), 'Removable and non-removable offloading devices: A plantar pressure analysis' (2025, Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association), 'Early diagnosis of Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy using MRI and its effect on patient outcomes: A seven-year retrospective audit' (2024, Diabetes Epidemiology and Management), 'Improving rural and remote practitioners' knowledge of the diabetic foot: findings from an educational intervention' (2016), 'Temporal trends in initial and recurrent lower extremity amputations in people with and without diabetes in Western Australia from 2000 to 2010' (2015), and 'Diabetes foot care education movies for Aboriginal people: Bran nue leg' (2015). She has received the Metropolitan-based Bush Champion Award from Rural Health West (9 April 2021) and UWA Student Choice Awards (13 September 2018). Her scholarship, with over 200 citations, advances podiatry practices, rural health education, and diabetic foot care outcomes in Western Australia.

Professional Email: deborah.schoen@uwa.edu.au