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About Us

Looking for a Total Foot Care Clinic in Ottawa ? Look no further! You came to the right place. At Healthy Steps, our goal is to achieve positive outcomes and provide you with the ability to improve your health and quality of life through pedorthic and nutrition services. Our team of certified experts offers everything from nutrition guidance and meal planning to custom orthotics created specifically for you.

Our Team

Derek Gilmer

Derek Gilmer

Derek is the founder and owner of Healthy Steps Pedorthic clinic, established in 2009. With over 15 years of experience, Derek is a certified pedorthist exclusively trained in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit, and modification of custom-made orthoses (orthotics) and footwear with the goals of alleviating and managing pain, discomfort, and disabilities in both the legs and feet. Derek maintains qualifications through the following associations:

  • Certified Member of the College of Pedorthics of Canada
  • Canadian Certified Pedorthist
  • Canadian Certified Pedorthic Technician
  • Completed Graduate Program in Pedorthics, The University of Western Ontario
  • Honors Degree in Kinesiology, UWO
  • Certified Medical Compression Therapy fitter

Derek has a special interest in treating diabetes and arthritis-related foot problems, and in designing sport specific orthotics. In his personal life, Derek loves spending time and staying active with his wife and three children. You’re also likely to find him playing hockey or taking the field for a game of softball.

Alia Khudhair-Gimer

Alia Khudhair-Gilmer

Alia is a registered dietitian with the College of Dietitians of Ontario with over 13 years of clinical nutrition experience. Her passion is to help others reach their health goals through evidence-based nutrition counselling and education. Alia’s qualifications include:

  • 4-year Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, UWO
  • Completed 1-year internship and masters courses at State University of Buffalo
  • Certified Diabetes Educator and member of Diabetes Canada
  • Member of Dietitians of Canada
  • Member of the Obesity Network of Canada

When Alia is not working with clients to support their health and nutrition, you can find her enjoying group fitness classes or yoga at the gym, cooking with her children and spending time with her family.

Jonathan

Jonathan Hoffman

Jonathan is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist who is happy to help you in French or English. He started in the pedorthic field in 2014 as a lab technician, manufacturing foot orthotics, while completing a bachelor's degree with honors in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. He then completed a diploma in Pedorthics at the University of Western Ontario and obtained his C. Ped (C) designation. Jonathan also has experience fitting patients with compression stockings as well as over-the-counter and custom orthopaedic bracing. He grew up playing hockey, where an injury to his knee sparked the desire to help other individuals suffering from different injuries, diseases and conditions. When out of the clinic, Jonathan likes to spend his time with family and friends, training at a strength and conditioning center, playing hockey, softball, golf or snowboarding.