Volunteers are hard at work during the four-day free foot care clinic to help residents of St. Kitts.

It takes a special group of people to donate time, services, and money for the health of feet. The North American School of Podology (NASP) recently went beyond the call of duty to make a difference to the feet of almost 900 people living on the island of St. Kitts. From January 21 to 24, NASP — along with its graduating class of 2014 — offered a unique free four-day foot care clinic to help Kittitians with skin- and nail-related foot problems.

Under the leadership of NASP founder Dr. Katharin von Gavel, a dynamic group of 60 dedicated doctors, nurses, estheticians, pedicurists, and support staff took their wealth of foot care expertise to St. Kitts. Thirty-two members of the team were graduating students from NASP who were completing their residency program for the prestigious degree, Bachelor of Science in Podology (BSc Pod). The organization has returned to the island four times in the last eight years.

 The students, educators, and support staff are gathered.

The graduating students once again attracted long lines by offering foot care for diabetics and a host of other conditions, including extreme rough and dry skin, painful cracked heels, and severely thickened toenails. Part of the service included education on home care and proper footwear.

After two year of study, a happy bunch celebrates the completion of their BSc. Pod.

“I can’t believe how many people we helped while in St. Kitts, plus what a difference it made in the lives of the islanders and our students. This is truly a life-changing experience,” says NASP president Vicki Malo. “We had so many generous companies donate product and time to our cause, plus several of the locals volunteered their time to help with cleaning/disinfecting, hauling water, and generally making the event run as smooth as possible. This was my fourth time going to the island and it just keeps getting better each time.”

For additional information and to view the range of courses being offered by NASP, visit www.northamericanschoolofpodology.com.

— Judy