Ruby Puryear Hearn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby P. Hearn, Ph.D.
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Hearn in 2011
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| Born | April 13, 1940 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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| Alma mater |
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| Spouse(s) |
Robert Hearn
(m. 1960) |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biophysics |
| Thesis | Thermodynamic Parameters in the Ribonuclease-S System (1969) |
Ruby Louise Puryear Hearn, born on April 13, 1940, is an American scientist. She is a biophysicist who has spent her life working on health policy. This means she helped create plans to make healthcare better for everyone.
Her work included projects for mothers, babies, and children. She also worked on programs related to AIDS and helped more minority students get into medical schools.
Contents
Ruby Hearn's Early Life
Ruby Louise Puryear was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1940. Her family later moved to the Atlanta area. She is African-American.
Ruby went to Skidmore College from 1956 to 1960. She studied biochemistry there. As a senior, she wrote to her college newspaper. She spoke out against a student group for not supporting Black students. These students were protesting at Woolworth's stores.
Ruby was a very good student. She often made the dean's list, which means she got excellent grades. She graduated in 1960 with the highest honors. Ruby was one of only twelve students in her class who went on to study more after college.
Ruby married Robert Hearn in December 1960. They have two children together.
Her Career in Science and Health
Studying Biophysics
Ruby Hearn continued her education at Yale University. There, she earned both a Master of Science (M.S.) degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biophysics. Her Ph.D. paper was about "Thermodynamic Parameters In The RNase-S System."
She was also a Yale Corporation Fellow from 1992 to 1998. This role involved helping to guide the university.
Working for Better Health
During the 1970s, Dr. Hearn worked on programs to improve the health of children who were at risk. These programs aimed to help kids who needed extra support to stay healthy.
In 1980, she started working at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This is the largest organization in the United States that gives money to improve healthcare. She helped the Foundation connect with other non-profit groups.
From 1983 to 2001, Dr. Hearn was a Senior Vice President at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Even after she retired, she continued to help as a Senior Vice President Emerita.
Serving on Important Boards
Dr. Hearn has been a part of many important groups and committees. In 1995, she was on the executive committee for the board of directors of the Special Olympics World Summer Games. This event helps athletes with intellectual disabilities compete.
She also served on the Science Board of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA makes sure our food and medicines are safe. She was also on the governing Council of the Institute of Medicine.
Dr. Hearn served on the board for Children, Youth, and Families for the National Academy of Medicine. She also worked on the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy for the National Academy of Sciences.
In 2015, the New York Academy of Medicine gave Dr. Hearn a special award. It was called the Academy Medal for Exceptional Service. This award recognized her more than ten years of great work on the Academy's Board of Trustees. They also thanked her for being a key leader in helping the Academy grow.
Honors and Awards
- Honoree, 1998, National Academy of Engineering
- Distinguished Alumni, 2013, Skidmore College
- Academy Medal for Exceptional Service to the academy, 2015, New York Academy of Medicine
See also
In Spanish: Ruby Puryear Hearn para niños
