Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund
India
The Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund was established as a Division of Overseas Ministries endowment fund in 2004 at the request of Ruth May Harnar’s brother, Richard K. Harnar, and other family members who wish to remember Reverend Dr. Harnar’s life and ministry. The distributions from the Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund are used to benefit the Jarvis/Harnar Nursing School,JackmanMemorialHospital, BilaspurIndia.
Reverend Dr. Ruth May Harnar, born May 31, 1919, made it her life’s work to train Indian nurses and village health workers for work in mission hospitals as a missionary for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Reverend Dr. Harnar was born and grew up inIndia, being herself the daughter of missionaries. From the age of twelve Ruth knew she was called to be a medical missionary inIndia. After completing her undergraduate and nursing education atHiramCollege,JohnsHopkinsHospital, andTransylvaniaCollege, she returned toIndiaas a missionary in 1944. In 1952 she received her Master in Science at the Frances Bolton School of Nursing atWestern ReserveUniversityand in 1974 she received her Ph.D. in Nursing Education atColumbiaUniversity. Christian Theological Seminary conferred an honorary doctorate to Ruth May Harnar in 1985. In 1998 she received the Emily Holmquist Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indiana University School of Nursing.
Reverend Dr. Ruth Harnar served many missionary terms until her retirement, offering leadership to nursing institutions inIndiaincludingJackmanMemorialHospitalin Bilaspur, theGraduateSchoolfor Nurses atIndore, the India Nursing Council, and the Voluntary Health Association of India. She also served programs inNepalandPakistan.
Reverend Dr. Harnar had a special connection with the JackmanMemorialHospitalin Bilaspur, India, as she served many years there as nursing superintendent and, for a time, as acting director. The nursing school at JackmanMemorialHospitalwas inactive for a period of time, but in 2002 the program was revitalized and the buildings were renovated. The nursing school was renamed for Reverend Dr. Harnar and Mrs. Mary Gregory Jarvis. It is now known as the Jarvis/Harnar Nursing School. It is here where the distributions from the Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund are used.
Contributions may be made to the principal of this Fund at any time. Gifts for the Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund should be directed to:
Global Ministries
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis,IN 46206-1986
Questions regarding the Ruth Harnar Memorial Fund are welcome. Please contact the Global Ministries Resource Development Office at 317-713-2555 or gifts@dom.disciples.org.