From PCI to Africa: The Incredible Journey of Rebecca Crouch

Nurse Becky Crouch has spent the last 23 years mastering her field. The Dialysis Unit at Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI) has been supported by her diligent work for over two decades. Taking on an average of eight patients a day, Crouch works closely with doctors and other nurses to monitor offenders on dialysis — but her dedication to the job isn’t confined to the fences of PCI.

When the state of Ohio acquired new, innovative dialysis machines for the PCI unit, the old machines were sent abroad as a donation. A technician from a unit in Africa, eager to learn from staff here, traveled to Pickaway. At the end of a day spent teaching nuances of the dialysis machinery, Crouch was asked to fly overseas and share her knowledge with the Nigeria dialysis unit.

Crouch spent three weeks of her personal vacation time with nurses and doctors in Africa, working patiently until 1:30am each day.

“The people were very, very friendly — and just so excited about what was happening,” Crouch shared.

She went on to tell us that most patients in Nigeria must travel to India just to get care. With the operation of the new machines, more families can afford treatment for their loved ones.

Prior to her work at Pickaway, Crouch never had any dialysis training. She has learned everything she knows inside institution walls and mentioned how grateful she is for the education she has received at PCI.

“It was an opportunity for me to give back something that’s been given to me,” Crouch said with a smile. “I was just excited to give back to people that needed it.”

After touring local hospitals and seeing living conditions in Nigeria, she reflected on how different life is in the states. Nigeria has no electricity without a generator, they don’t use air conditioning or shower with hot water.

“What we have — we just take for granted.”

Crouch left a lasting impact on the Nigerian community, and her experience had a profound effect on her life. Her work goes above and beyond what is asked of her, using her skills and passion to better society.