At the new Newey Foot Clinic, Dr. Sarah Newey practices the art and science of treating feet

By Patricia Nugent

You’ll just have to take every preconception you’ve ever had about foot doctors and toss them out the window.

After visiting Newey Foot Clinic, you’ll appreciate that this is an entirely different level of care.

Your first clue comes when you walk through the door of the ultra-rustic, chic space. It looks like the “after” of any HGTV renovation show…gorgeous reclaimed wood, hand-made Edison-bulb light fixtures, and a roaring fireplace surrounded by stunning artwork.

Your next clue comes when the charming lady behind the front desk warmly shakes your hand and introduces herself simply as Sarah.

Meet Dr. Sarah Newey
What you won’t find at Newey Foot Clinic is staff. That’s right. Dr. Newey does everything herself, from answering the phones to running the office and treating patients.

Her trajectory began with an undergraduate degree in communications from Oklahoma Christian University, where she met her husband and they married shortly afterward. Dr. Newey then went on for a master’s degree in health administration.

“Once I was immersed in the healthcare arena, I realized I wanted to actually treat patients and become a doctor,” she says. This led her to attend medical school and pursue a career as a podiatrist. Meanwhile, Dr. Newey’s husband started his career trajectory to become a critical care neurologist.

Married for nearly 17 years, Dr. Newey and her husband supported one another through their post-graduate education and medical training and produced two adorable children, now six and nine years old. The family moved to Richfield in 2017.

She favors a more conservative means of care, working to uncover the root cause of foot issues and healing them through measures other than surgery.

“There’s an advantage to being on my own as a doctor, not working for one of the major health systems, which provide care that can be impersonal,” she says. “I’m on my own clock and I can spend as much time with each patient as I feel is needed.”

One of the many things that makes Dr. Newey different from other podiatrists is the spirit of inclusive care she offers.

“Patients should be educated on the issues at hand, not just given a diagnosis that they don’t understand,” she explains. “I provide treatment options and include the patient in the decision making.”

Offering Diabetic Foot Care
“Most diabetics do not realize the importance of a regular foot evaluation to help monitor and prevent complications,” she says. “Since many diabetics often suffer from neuropathy and have little sensation in their feet, they cannot feel pain, and important issues could go undetected.”

The clinic’s diabetic shoe program is a nice addition to the services it provides because it allows qualifying patients to get a pair of good quality shoes with accommodative inserts to alleviate plantar foot pressures on areas that need it, and decrease risk of skin breakdown and wound formation. Most insurances cover one pair of accommodative shoes with inserts every year.

The Benefits of Orthotics
Dr. Newey says that no matter your age, an orthotic shoe insert can benefit you. In fact, she confesses to wearing them herself.

“They alleviate pressure and strain while supporting the foot,” she says.

She fits patients with a state-of-the-art digital scanner to register their steps.

Other issues she treats include toenail fungus, heel pain, ingrown toenails, skin biopsies, corns and calluses.

Routine Footcare: Preventing Complications
“Many people as they age find it challenging to just bend down and reach their feet, let alone see well enough to safely trim their toenails,” she says.

“Most insurances will cover regular foot exams and nail care every nine weeks. It is a great thing to take advantage of for patients who truly need the assistance, because poorly or improperly trimmed nails can lead to a whole host of complications, including infections and wounds, and could potentially lead to hospitalizations.”

Another preventive measure for any age is choosing the best quality of shoes or boots.

“I’m not saying you can’t have a pair of high heels or flip-flops in your closet,” she says, “but keep them for special occasions rather than everyday wear. And with flip-flops, there are different levels of quality out there. Try to opt for the most supportive.”

Whatever the level of care, Dr. Newey takes pride in her career, especially the fact that she “makes a real difference in patients’ lives, and they walk out of the clinic feeling better than when they walked in.”

Newey Foot Clinic is located at 3451 Granger Road, in the Ghent area of Bath Township. Call 330-623-6680 or visit NeweyFootClinic.com to make an online appointment or find more information.