I am Kate, the founder of this company. I am a bit of an adventurer and i started this business and amazing journey in 2016 when i was 50 years old.
I did it in part out of self preservation – i wanted a mission and purpose in life; I wanted something that was secure (as in the only person who could outsource or fire me would be me), and i wanted something that i could really lean in to learning and making a difference. I also wanted to inspire others to team together and to adventure. At this writing, July 2025, we are a company of 47 and see about 2800 consumers a month as home visits and in clinics. In this quiet corner of caring for feet, i have found my heart and purpose and so much more.
I recently reached some personal milestones and, in an effort to inspire i am sharing.
In 2013 i graduated nursing school and i knew that my body could not pound concrete floors for ever. So i set my heart on a PhD and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice because while i love to learn and grow as a person, i felt very strongly that science and clinical practice could be married in the care of feet space.
This year Graduation (DNP) and 60th birthday presented an opportunity to do something to celebrate. To make a dream hapen took over a year of planning, working and saving. On my bucket list of things to do in my life was swimming with schooling hammerhead sharks. Agreed, it is not on everyone’s to-do list. Inspired by Jacques Cousteau, I have been scuba diving since I was 18. Cocos island, 500 km off of Costa Rica, is known for its big Pelagics and schooling Hammerheads and I wanted to experience it for myself.
We all have dreams and like all of you, I work hard to make my dreams a reality. I also try really hard to go with the flow of what is, and not stay tied to what I think things should be. My mantra for the last 30 years has been “there are no problems, just solutions to be found.”
The crossing was rough. Big rolling pacific seas sent most people to their beds. It was hard to read or watch a movie, and trying to eat was an exercise in toss and catch, so napping was a really great option. Sometimes we all have to just learn to be patient and persistent so that we can get where we want to go.
The diving involved current, and hanging on to rocks. The fish life was incredible and without current to bring the nutrients up for the fish to eat there would be no sharks. Current moves back and forth in the sea, and urchins and bitey things also occupy the rocks, so strategic placement in the flow to observe the sharks takes some work. It may seem exotic to go shark diving, but there are applicable lessons everywhere.
I was not disappointed with the location, or the trip. A hammerhead is not a small creature and to see 20 or 30 cruising by is magnificent. I also swam with dolphins, saw a whale shark, and got caught up in giant schools of fish. What I love about scuba is the only thing that you can really hear is your breath. For me it is a place where the mind can be still. A still mind allows for creative thought. I went to open up my mind to things that are possible in our world.
Sometimes life throws opportunities and at other ties it throws curveballs. The 8-day trip was cut short by a rogue wave that sunk one of our dive boats. The team that were on that boat drifted at sea for almost 2 hours before being rescued. Scared and angry they struggled. They used words like “prisoner” and “captive”and became quite aggressive accusatory towards the crew. Trauma and fear are hard feelings to process and so their attitudes and experience changed the whole nature of our trip. Sometimes the right thing is to pivot. Our small group had no intention of making them uncomfortable, so we said we would be ok going home.
Home is typically where the heart feels safe. However I came home to discover that those I thought were my family were moving on. As adults we have all experienced sudden loss. It rocks our word and changes us. Grief is heavy and to get through it is a process. It is also an opportunity for reflection. My patients felt it, and i felt the care. The staff that works at FootCare by Nurses could not have been more wonderful and supportive.
At FootCare by nurses we are human and we are also a family united by our nursing mission. The mission of FootCare by Nurses has always been about preventing falls and amputations from happening. Patients love our care and our falls rate is 1/4 of the national average. We are good at what we do, we are unique in this space and we should be proud of what we accomplish (even when it feels like we are swimming in the weeds).
The question that I have always asked us is how can we say “no” to the next person that asks for our help knowing that our work makes a huge difference? My answer – we can’t.
We have our story. FootCare by Nurses was born out of wanting to do something. In the hospital world I took care of patients with recent amputations and I hung the bag of IV antibiotics. I also watched the orthopedic surgeon remove a toe. I could not help but think how much of this suffering was unnecessary and how great nurses could use their assessment and teaching skills to help people understand health and wellbeing better. And, in doing so, could prevent unnecessary suffering. And so, in June 2016 (we are 9 years old) I lit the flame, because the amputated toe was caused by a shoe rubbing and I said, (and you all have said) “not on my watch or the watch of my FootCare by Nurses nursing team” (admin +nurses).
I may have had my trip of a life time shark trip cut short, but quite honestly it was Ok. I read some great books, and a few days of sleep (the boat trip was 36 hours there and 36 hours back) was probably what i needed the most to reenergize our mission of prevention and our passion of caring.
If you, or someone you know, needs help with their feet or would like to come and join our mission team please reach out. resumes and letters of interest can be sent to hr@footcarebynurses.net and the contact form is for those who would like help with their feet.