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Local Nurse Cures Off the Clock

When asked to describe her work responsibilities, Crystal Bauer will explain her daily routine as something everyone would expect, meeting her requirements. But to friends and co-workers, she’s changing countless lives in the greater Wheeling area through expert medical care and humanitarian efforts.

Bauer is a registered nurse for Youth Services System, where she is responsible for the health care of children in the foster care system, including those who have recently been removed from the home due to a complaint or investigation. She oversees a staff of 30 and administers health evaluations and medications to children in need.

“These kids that come to us have often lost a lot and have been moving from placement to placement without stability, leading to trust issues” Bauer said. “Because of these placement changes, several health issues can fall though the cracks, so my main concern is making sure we get those issues addressed here. I want them to know that someone cares about them and will be there for any of their concerns.”

Bauer’s nursing efforts don’t end at work, however. When she isn’t spending time with her husband Ron and Yorkshire terrier Bella, Bauer also is involved with the Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless, where she works with displaced residents to find housing and medical supplies. She often uses Facebook to reach out to social connections for donations and apartment supplies for the homeless in Wheeling.

“I’ve always been a community-oriented person but I had never been overly interested in volunteering until I met real people going through these struggles. When various members of the homeless population found out I was a nurse, they began telling me about chronic health conditions they were living with,” she said. “During the colder months, I began working with the winter freeze shelter residents and asking them what medical concerns they had. When the weather warmed up, I began looking for people under bridges and making sure I followed up on their medical needs.”

One such instance involved a diabetic homeless woman who needed testing materials for insulin.

“I went on Facebook and asked if anyone had any extra supplies, even if they were expired, I could use them,” she said. “I was able to provide the woman with 500 test strips, all from donations, which she is still using.”

Bauer also works with the coalition to establish permanent housing options for the homeless, although the venture has not been an easy success.

“I also used Facebook to help a homeless couple in need of housing last year. We were able to secure an apartment, bed linens and complete furnishings, but they were only able to maintain it for six months due to mental illness,” she said. “It was a learning experience for me that sometimes the issue is so much bigger than homelessness, and that’s something we must address as a society.”

Bauer started her charity work in 1999 when her autistic nephew was taken from his home by authorities. Bauer never saw him again.

“At the time I lived in Pittsburgh and went to an autism walk and wanted to start something back home in Wheeling,” Bauer said. “I started the first walk for autism 11 years ago locally and I remain active in it.”

According to Monica Robinson, a psychometrician for Youth Services System, Bauer is an inspiration to her co-workers.

“Crystal does everything with a giving heart and she never says no,” Robinson said.

“She is much more than a nurse and inspires everyone she meets to do more.”

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