President, Canadian Foot Care Association & Ontario Foot Care Association | CEO, Health for Life Wellness Centre and Feet & Life Medical Foot Care | Barrie, Ontario | Nurse (RPN) | Registered PodOrtho™ Foot Specialist | Educator |Published Author | Entrepreneur www.healthforlifewellness.ca
Ms. King is a highly respected healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience in clinical practice and development, education, and organizational leadership within the field of Advanced Medical Foot and Lower Limb Care. Her post graduate continuing education programs are recognized nationally for her contributions to the advancement of medical foot and lower limb care standards and education for nurses and various other healthcare providers in Canada. She is the President of both the Canadian Foot Care Association (CFCA) and the Ontario Foot Care Association (OFCA) formerly the Ontario PodOrtho Nursing Association (OPNA)—two leading professional bodies dedicated to supporting healthcare providers, Registered PodOrtho™ Foot Specialists through advocacy, education, and professional development.
Erin was the first ever nurse in Canada to open her very own physical clinic, unheard of in her day. Early in her career many nurses approached her to teach them how. She developed and designed the curriculum for Georgian College’s Advanced Foot Care Nurse program and now offers specialized training through her private education platforms both Online and through clinical placements across Canada. Her vision through her education programs focus on empowering healthcare professionals, female entrepreneurship, elevating practice standards, and improving access to high-quality foot care services across Canada that recognizes the significant and essential need given our rapidly growing and aging population. She supports her students to develop their own independent scope of practice (ISOP) through offering an innovative, positive and professional learning environment.
She is the CEO and Director of Care of Health for Life Wellness Centre and Feet & Life Medical Foot Care., where she leads a multidisciplinary team offering evidence-based medical foot and lower limb care, holistic and wellness services. In addition to her clinical work, she is a published author of Feet & Life: Advanced Foot and Lower Limb Care, a comprehensive educational resource for her training programs offered across the country. She has authored many practice documents and also writes for “The Critical Thinker” publication on topics related to healthcare concepts in the field of medical foot and lower limb care.
As President of the CFCA/OFCA she has recognized there has been a lack of understanding with respect to scopes of practice (SOP), independent scopes of practice (ISOP), and legislation therefore, she has been highly focused on research in this area to ensure her students and members best understand their role within a complex healthcare system. She promotes all members to be well represented in the field of medical foot and lower limb care through the development of their independent scope of healthcare practice and has been the driving force behind encouraging health insurance providers to recognize and cover the care her members provide for their clients.
She brings to the board experience in entrepreneurship, practice and protocol development, curriculum design, research, public speaking, and leadership.
Ms. King believes “every individual should be the author of their own storey and journey” and feel empowered through that process to become a whole and independent person professionally and personally. Gaining self-worth in one’s professional career and throughout life is a staple in her belief system. All healthcare providers if they so choose should be afforded opportunities to obtain new knowledge, skills and competencies, within their profession, enjoy work-life-freedom and independence that she has enjoyed throughout her career in the field of medical foot and lower limb care and entrepreneurship.
“One’s worth should not be determined by external forces but discovered through trail and error, reflection and action”. (King E.D, 2025)
Erin was a former national level competitive gymnast who at a young age understood the power of the human frame and significance of the feet and lower limbs that led her to the field of foot and lower limb care early in her nursing career. She appreciates the value of sport for young woman as a former competitive girl’s volleyball coach. Erin believes female sports at an early age plays a pivotal role in one’s recognition of self worth that builds confidence, resilience, discipline and independence. She enjoys spending time traveling with her family and outdoor activities. She is active in politics and the promotion of female entrepreneurship.
Deborah Waywell, RPN |Vice President, Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA) | Registered Podortho® Foot Specialist | Wound Care Specialist | Educator | Clinic Owner - Owner, Nurse My Feet | Windsor, Ontario
Deborah Waywell is a dedicated healthcare professional with decades of experience across multiple nursing disciplines, including sports medicine, mental health, long-term care, and primary care. As Vice President of the Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA), Deborah brings her clinical insight, leadership, and advocacy to support the advancement of foot care nursing and the professional growth of association members across Canada.
Deborah is the founder and owner of Nurse My Feet, a respected foot and lower limb care clinic based in Windsor, Ontario. A Registered Practical Nurse, Podortho® Foot Specialist, and Wound Care Specialist, she combines advanced clinical skills with a compassionate, whole-person approach to care. She is known for her commitment to active listening and thorough assessments to guide evidence-informed, multidisciplinary treatment plans.
Throughout her career, Deborah has remained committed to lifelong learning. She has pursued extensive post-graduate training in foot and lower limb care and wound care, ensuring she remains at the forefront of clinical advancements. In addition to her clinical practice, she has served as an educator at St. Clair College, sharing her expertise in foot care nursing with future healthcare professionals.
Deborah has also contributed internationally, joining medical missionary teams to deliver nursing care to underserved communities in Guatemala, where she worked alongside physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to provide vital treatment to Indigenous Mayan villagers.
Previously serving as Director of Public Relations for the Ontario Foot Care Association, Deborah has been a strong advocate for the role of nurses in community-based foot care and the need for increased access to care in underserved areas. Her leadership as Vice President of CFCA-OFCA reflects her commitment to enhancing professional standards, fostering collaboration, and empowering nurses to work to their full scope of practice.
Deborah continues to build strong relationships with physicians and allied health professionals in her community, ensuring her clients receive comprehensive, quality care that keeps them mobile, independent, and healthy.
RPN | Registered Podortho® Foot Specialist | Educator | Owner and Director of Care for Northern Home and Foot Comfort, Advocate for Advanced Nursing Practice Board Member, Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA) www.northernhomefootcare.ca
Danielle is a Registered Practical Nurse and Podortho® Foot Specialist committed to advancing the standards of care in foot and lower limb health across Ontario and beyond. With a strong foundation in clinical nursing and specialized foot care, Danielle is dedicated to promoting excellence in practice through education, collaboration, and professional development.
Danielle is the owner and director of care for Northern Home and Foot Comfort and brings a forward-thinking and collaborative mindset to her role on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA). She is passionate about uniting like-minded, regulated healthcare professionals and resource care partners who are focused on expanding their knowledge, skillsets, and clinical competencies within the scope of Podortho® Foot Care. Through her involvement with the association, Danielle advocates for continuing education as a core component of professional practice, empowering nurses and foot care providers to work to their full scope in alignment with best practices and regulatory standards.
She is an enthusiastic supporter of interprofessional collaboration and believes in the power of multidisciplinary care teams to deliver effective, client-centered outcomes. Danielle values the role that strategic partnerships—with educators, researchers, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders—play in enhancing the quality and accessibility of foot care services across communities.
In her role with CFCA-OFCA, Danielle supports the development and execution of initiatives that foster knowledge-sharing and innovation within the profession. She plays an active part in helping to plan and promote the association’s annual conferences, which provide a valuable platform for education, networking, and engagement with the broader healthcare community. She welcomes interest from industry professionals, exhibitors, and expert speakers who wish to contribute to these events and support the advancement of Podortho® Foot Specialist practice in Canada.
Danielle’s dedication to the profession is reflected not only in her clinical practice but in her desire to see every nurse and foot care specialist equipped with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive. Her vision aligns closely with CFCA-OFCA’s mission to strengthen the role of regulated health professionals in community-based foot and lower limb care, promote safe and effective care delivery, and improve patient outcomes across the lifespan.
Danielle is proud to serve alongside a progressive team of educators, clinicians, and leaders within CFCA-OFCA and is committed to elevating the voice and visibility of Podortho® Foot Specialists within the broader healthcare system.
Director of Communications and Outreach, Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA) Co-Founder, Natural Sole Wellness Centre | Ottawa, Ontario Business Strategist | Public Relations Specialist | Health Care Advocate
Frederic Parent brings over two decades of experience in marketing, communications, customer service, and business operations to his role as Director of Communications and Outreach with the Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA). With a strong academic background in business administration—specializing in marketing and public relations—Frederic combines strategic expertise with a passion for community health and education.
As the co-founder of Natural Sole Wellness Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Frederic helped launch the city’s first RN- and Podortho® Foot Specialist-led wellness clinic. In his role as Director of Operations and Marketing, he has played a key part in building a clinic model focused on holistic, patient-centered care, while also enhancing public understanding of the importance of foot and lower limb health.
Frederic is a dedicated advocate for Podortho® Foot Specialists and the essential role they play within Canada’s healthcare system. He is inspired by the advanced, client-focused care these professionals provide and believes strongly in the need to expand awareness around their contributions to preventative health, mobility, and overall quality of life. He works tirelessly to educate the public about the importance of foot health and the critical role that Podortho® Foot Specialists fulfill in their communities.
In his position on the CFCA-OFCA Board of Directors, Frederic is responsible for leading communications and outreach initiatives that enhance the association’s visibility and strengthen its network of partners and stakeholders. He collaborates closely with board members and external organizations to develop strategies that promote the value of Podortho® Foot Specialist care and encourage ongoing professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Through digital marketing, public relations campaigns, and outreach events, Frederic works to amplify the voice of CFCA-OFCA members and highlight the impact of their work in healthcare settings across the province and beyond. He is also actively involved in organizing the association’s annual conferences and welcomes engagement from industry professionals, exhibitors, and guest speakers interested in supporting and contributing to these events.
Frederic remains committed to ensuring that Podortho® Foot Specialists are recognized as vital healthcare providers and that they are equipped with the tools, resources, and public support needed to grow and sustain their practices.
Director of Podortho® Foot Specialist and Personal Support Worker Advocacy, Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA) Founder & Owner, Caring Hands Foot Care & Respite | B.A Gerontology | Gerontology Specialist | PSW | Registered Podortho® Foot Specialist |Reflexologist | Advocate | Entrepreneur
Erin Hill-Thompson brings a rich and diverse background in gerontology, personal support, and specialized foot and lower limb care to her role as Director of Podortho® Foot Specialist and Personal Support Worker Advocacy for the Canadian Foot Care Association – Ontario Foot Care Association (CFCA-OFCA). With a career rooted in compassionate care, Erin is a passionate advocate for both clients and healthcare providers, especially those in non-regulated yet essential roles like Personal Support Workers (PSWs), who contribute significantly to community wellness and aging-in-place strategies.
From a young age, Erin demonstrated a natural inclination for caregiving—volunteering in a seniors’ hair salon as early as seven years old and continuing to support residents in long-term care homes and hospitals as a teenager. She later formalized this passion through education in gerontology and healthcare, earning an Activation Coordinator/Gerontology diploma from George Brown College (2006), a Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology from Laurentian University (2007), and a Personal Support Worker certificate from Georgian College (2014). In 2024, she expanded her clinical scope by completing her Advanced Foot and Lower Limb Care Certificate.
Erin’s professional experience is extensive and multidisciplinary, including roles such as Activation Assistant in long-term care, Program Manager, Activity Director, and Adult Day Program Coordinator. She has also provided in-home respite and recreation services through her own business and supported individuals with special needs as a PSW. Today, she is the founder and owner of Caring Hands Foot Care & Respite, offering mobile foot care services throughout rural Ontario, with a brick-and-mortar clinic set to open in Markdale in July 2025.
As an entrepreneur, Erin embraces both the rewards and challenges of independent practice. She takes pride in setting the tone for exceptional client service, advocating for individuals often underserved by traditional systems, and building meaningful relationships within the community. She believes deeply in validating the physical and emotional experiences of her clients—soothing both discomfort and stigma associated with foot and lower limb issues. Her goal is to offer expert, dignified care rooted in the values of compassion, skill, and integrity.
In her role with CFCA-OFCA, Erin champions the unique perspectives and contributions of Podortho® Foot Specialists and PSWs, working to elevate awareness of their roles, foster interprofessional collaboration, and advocate for access to training, recognition, and resources across Ontario. She is especially committed to representing practitioners in rural and remote communities who often face barriers in startup, equipment access, and digital infrastructure.
Erin brings to the Board of Directors a strong voice for frontline care providers, along with lived entrepreneurial experience, a deep understanding of gerontological care, and an unwavering commitment to client-centered service. Her work supports CFCA-OFCA’s mission to build inclusive, innovative, and collaborative networks that serve both healthcare professionals and the communities they support.
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