John F. Bauer accepts the Senior Service Excellence Award from Diane C. Miller, CKHS vice president of Senior Health Services and vice president and chief operating officer of Taylor Hospital.
As a sign of its appreciation and gratitude for the many services he has provided to the senior citizens of Delaware County, Crozer-Keystone Health System’s Senior Health Services Department awarded its inaugural Senior Service Excellence Award to John F. Bauer, director of the Delaware County Department of Human Services, on Thursday, May 20, 2004.
The Crozer-Keystone Senior Service Excellence Award was created to recognize an individual who has had an impact on the aging community in Delaware County. This individual is recognized for his or her contribution to the health and welfare of the senior population of Delaware County and embodies the philosophy of CKHS Senior Health Services, which is “to meet the needs of the senior community with respect and dignity to enhance quality of life.” The award is presented on a yearly basis.
“I was honored and humbled to be recognized for my efforts in improving the quality of life for older adults in Delaware County,” Mr. Bauer says. “Over the past 30 years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of committed individuals and organizations to develop and enhance services and programs that benefit older adults and their families. Crozer-Keystone has always been at the forefront of those efforts and has been a valuable partner in the development of home- and community-based services for the elderly. Because Crozer-Keystone is recognized as a leader in geriatric services, I was especially pleased to receive the Senior Health Service Award.”
“I have known Mr. Bauer for several years, since my arrival in Delaware County,” says Barbara Alexis Looby, MSWAC, LSW, administrative director of Senior Health Services for the Crozer-Keystone Health System. “He is respected and admired by many, especially those in the aging community. Mr. Bauer is extremely professional, treats those around him with dignity and respect, and is frequently referred to as a visionary.”
Mr. Bauer received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Scranton in 1964 and a master’s of Social Work, specialty in policy and planning, from the Temple University School of Social Administration in 1972. He served as administrator of the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) from 1975 until April of 2001.
During his tenure at COSA, Mr. Bauer was responsible for administering an office of county government and an area agency on aging that provided direct and contract community services to more than 10,000 elderly residents of Delaware County. He was primarily responsible for the development of new programs for the elderly in response to federal and state directives and in response to local needs identified through community planning efforts. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a budget of $20,000 and two staff members to a budget in excess of $11 million and more than 70 staff members.
Mr. Bauer’s achievements with COSA include the implementation of a program to meet the requirements of the Older Adult Protective Services Act of 1987; the development and implementation of a sliding-scale fee-for-service plan; the development and implementation of the Options pre-admission assessment program, which determines the medical need for nursing home care for 1,500 medical assistance applicants per year; the development and implementation of the Options Community Services Program, which provides intensive care management and in-home services for consumers found eligible for nursing home care but choosing to remain at home; and many additional achievements.
In addition to his work with COSA and his current position as director of the Delaware County Department of Human Services, Mr. Bauer is a member of several professional groups, including the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Community Transit of Delaware County, the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc., the American Gerontological Society and the National Council on the Aging.
“Mr. Bauer has dedicated his career to assisting the elderly population of Delaware County,” says Diane C. Miller, CKHS vice president of Senior Health Services and vice president and chief operating officer of Taylor Hospital. “Crozer-Keystone Health System is honored to present him with its inaugural Senior Health Service Award as a sign of our appreciation for all he has done for our community.”
In nominating Mr. Bauer for the Senior Service Excellence Award, colleagues praised his leadership and innovation. “Mr. Bauer developed the aging system into a coordinated, comprehensive delivery system,” wrote a colleague who nominated him for the award. “Under his tenure, senior centers, nutrition, transportation, employment, information and referral, geriatric training, mental health and long-term care services were developed and implemented in Delaware County. It was Mr. Bauer’s direction that afforded COSA a reputation of innovation, creativity and quality services.”