Ruby Puryear Hearn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruby P. Hearn, Ph.D.
|
|
|---|---|
Hearn in 2011
|
|
| Born | April 13, 1940 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
|
| Alma mater |
|
| 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 April 13, 1940) is an American biophysicist. She has spent her career working on important health topics. Her work has helped with the health of mothers, babies, and children. She also worked on helping people with health challenges and supporting healthy choices.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ruby Louise Puryear was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on April 13, 1940. Her family later moved to the Atlanta area. She is African-American.
College Years
Ruby went to Skidmore College from 1956 to 1960. She studied biochemistry. While in college, she spoke up about important issues. As a senior, she wrote to the college newspaper. She shared her thoughts on how a student group should support Black students. These students were protesting at Woolworth's Department Stores.
Ruby was a very good student. She was often on the dean's list, which means she earned high grades. She graduated with top honors in 1960. Ruby was one of only twelve students in her class to go on to graduate school.
Ruby married Robert Hearn in December 1960. They have two children.
Career in Health Policy
Hearn continued her education at Yale University. She earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. She also earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in biophysics. Her Ph.D. research was about "Thermodynamic Parameters In The RNase-S System." She was also a special member of the Yale Corporation from 1992 to 1998.
Improving Children's Health
During the 1970s, Hearn worked on programs to make children healthier. These programs focused on children who needed extra help. In 1980, she started working at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This foundation is the largest group in the United States that gives money to improve healthcare.
Hearn spent most of her career at this foundation. She helped plan programs for many important health areas. These included the health of mothers, babies, and children. She also worked on helping people with health challenges and supporting healthy choices. She also connected the foundation with other non-profit groups. From 1983 to 2001, Hearn was a Senior Vice President at the foundation. Even after retiring, she continues to advise them as Senior Vice President Emerita.
Board Memberships and Recognition
Hearn has been part of many important groups and committees. In 1995, she was on the main committee for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. She also served on the Science Board of the Food and Drug Administration. This group helps make sure our food and medicines are safe.
She was also on the governing Council of the Institute of Medicine. She served on the board for Children, Youth, and Families for the National Academy of Medicine. She was also on the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy for the National Academy of Sciences. In 2015, the New York Academy of Medicine gave 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 their Board of Trustees. It also honored her role 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
