Steffi Casimir calls herself “the Black girl podiatrist” in her TikTok bio, where she details her life in medical school, as well as one very unique extracurricular: Taking care of homeless people’s feet.
Studying to be a foot and ankle surgeon, it’s not far off from the work she will be doing once she graduates from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California.
Plus, she said, it’s often an overlooked part of helping people experiencing homelessness.
“Foot problems are one of the most common reasons homeless people end up in the ER. Providing free care … gives them relief, dignity, and a chance to walk forward with less suffering,” she shared in a TikTok.
“For those experiencing homelessness, feet are their only transportation. Walking miles each day without proper shoes or medical care leaves them vulnerable to wounds, infection, and pain. I volunteer to protect that foundation.”
Casimir volunteers with a local church that has a “mobile response unit” for homeless individuals, where they can access food, housing assistance, and healthcare in one place. Casimir sets up a makeshift “office” under a tent in a parking lot, with folding chairs and a table full of supplies.
Here, she provides a full pedal assessment, cleaning and dressing of wounds, trimming and cleaning of toenails, and taking care of calluses, corns, and any other issues that pop up.
Then, patients are given lotions and anti-fungal creams, wound care and first aid supplies, and sometimes even walkers or boots to heal injuries. She also gives out brand-new socks and sneakers.
“Our patients often have unstable, open-toed shoes, so they are extremely grateful for a brand new pair of sneakers they can walk comfortably and effectively in,” she said.
And they aren’t just any shoes. Casimir and her team of volunteers always make sure they are the right size, using the Brannock device to get the right measurements for each patient.
Many of the supplies shared with patients are donated through an Amazon wish list that Casimir shares with her social media followers. After a recent video went semi-viral in the TikTok algorithm, strangers completely cleared the list.
“You guys bought out my entire Amazon wish list for the podiatry clinic,” she posted in a new video.
“You don’t know what this means to me or what it will mean to my patients this month. Our organization just lost the funding for supplies earlier this year. I will be adding more items, so my team can make hygiene kits for everyone that comes by the clinic.”
In addition to items specifically for the podiatry clinic, there are also essentials to include in a care kit for homeless folks, including snacks, gloves, combs, hand sanitizer, deodorant, and much more.
“A pair of socks, a snack, or even a toothbrush may seem small, but to someone in need, it’s comfort, dignity, and hope,” Casimir added.
And, on top of the care she provides, it can be life-saving.
“Homeless individuals often face diabetes, vascular disease, and neuropathy without access to regular care,” she explained in another video. “By treating their feet, I am not just easing pain; I’m preventing limb loss and potentially saving lives.”
She added that these folks also encounter conditions like fungal infections, ulcers, nail overgrowth, and painful skin breakdown without access to proper hygiene items and care.
“When you don’t have a home, every step is survival,” Casimir said. “Healthy feet mean mobility, independence, and the ability to seek food, shelter, and opportunity. That’s why I show up every month.”
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