By Justin Engleka, RN, CRNP
For many seniors in the Pittsburgh area, a visit from Pittsburgh Mobile Footcare means much more than having their nails trimmed or a foot assessment. It’s a friendly face, a meaningful conversation, and often one of the few personal interactions they look forward to that week.
Now entering its third year in business, Pittsburgh Mobile Footcare LLC has grown steadily since its founding in 2023—serving hundreds of older adults across the Greater Pittsburgh area. What began as a one-nurse service based in Monroeville has evolved into a trusted name in home-based foot health and senior wellness, reaching clients in private homes, senior apartments, and assisted living communities throughout the region.
Yet for founder Justin Engleka, a dual-certified Geriatric and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, the heart of the work has always been about more than foot care. “When I visit a client, I’m not just there to perform a procedure,” Engleka says. “I’m there to listen, to share a laugh, to hear about their lives. Those stories are just as important as the care itself.”
Loneliness and social isolation affect nearly one in three older adults, according to the National Institute on Aging. For many clients, a nurse’s visit may be one of the few times they experience conversation, companionship, and genuine human connection. “Sometimes, the best part of the visit isn’t the foot care—it’s the conversation,” Engleka shares. “I might be the only person they’ve seen all week. That human connection can make all the difference.”
One of those meaningful relationships is with Michael (not his real name), a local senior and retired blue-collar worker who exemplifies the hardworking, family-centered spirit of Pittsburgh. After scheduling his first appointment, Michael called the morning of the visit and asked, “What do you like on your pizza?”
“I was a bit taken back,” Engleka recalls. “I told him I usually like pepperoni—and asked him why he wanted to know. He said he was ordering dinner and would have it ready when I came.”
True to his word, Michael greeted his nurse with pizza that evening—and every visit since. “Now, he insists on ordering pizza each time, and he won’t take no for an answer,” Engleka laughs. “It’s become our tradition. Moments like that are what make this line of work so special. It’s more than a visit—it’s a friendship.”
Over the past three years, Pittsburgh Mobile Footcare has had the privilege of caring for people from every corner of Pittsburgh’s diverse community—across all backgrounds, ethnicities, and income levels. From retired steelworkers and veterans to lifelong educators, artists, and small business owners, each client has a story worth hearing.
“I’ve heard incredible memories about the steel mills in Homestead, Pirates games at Forbes Field, and the early days of Kennywood,” Engleka says. “Every visit reminds me that I’m not just caring for feet—I’m connecting with people who helped build this city.”
That trust and personal connection lie at the core of nursing. For more than two decades, nurses have consistently ranked as the most trusted profession in America, according to Gallup polls. It’s a distinction earned through compassion, reliability, and integrity—values that Engleka says guide every interaction with his clients.
“Earning someone’s trust, especially in their home, is an incredible responsibility,” he adds. “People let you into their world, and that’s something I never take for granted.”
As Pittsburgh Mobile Footcare continues to grow, its mission remains rooted in compassion, dignity, and respect for all clients—regardless of age, background, or circumstance.
“Every client has a story, and every story deserves to be heard,” Engleka says. “That’s what keeps me passionate about this work. It’s more than just foot care—it’s about connecting, listening, and honoring the people who make Pittsburgh what it is.”
For more information or to schedule a visit, please visit www.pghfeet.com or call (412) 357-8998.
Twenty-five years ago, Justin began his career as a hospice RN, providing care for Western Pennsylvanians suffering from terminal illnesses. Several years later, he completed his master’s degree and obtained dual certification as a Geriatric and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner. Since that time, he has cared for thousands of patients with serious and chronic illnesses. This includes caring for patients in their own homes, hospitals, and nursing facilities. Justin realized that there are many gaps in healthcare today, especially for our vulnerable seniors at home. He founded Pittsburgh Mobile Footcare with the vision of providing high quality routine footcare to patients in need. In recent years, insurance regulations and the lack of home podiatry services have made adequate foot health challenging for many individuals. As chronic care shifts to the home, we are focused on providing a valuable service to seniors and other clients who prefer their care in the home, or other convenient settings. On a personal note, Justin was raised and currently lives in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He enjoys time with family and friends, visiting the Laurel Highlands, volunteering with local youth sports groups, and watching all Pittsburgh sports.
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