John N. Hurty

The genesis of public health throughout Indiana lies in the efforts of John Hurty, M.D., the original Hoosier Health Officer. Dr Hurty, who served seven consecutive terms as secretary of the State Board of Health, is considered to be one of the most outstanding health officers ever to have served in this or in any state. It was more than a hundred years ago that Dr Hurty began his career as a tenacious fighter for sanitation standards, clean water, pure food and drugs, and disease prevention.

In 1899, Dr. Hurty wrote a bill that became the first comprehensive food and drug legislation to be enacted in the United States. It was not only used as a model by other states, but the Federal Law of 1906 is taken almost word for word from Dr. Hurty's bill.

A century ago, Dr. Hurty denounced the use of tobacco and the abuse of alcohol, not on moral grounds, but because he believed quite correctly that these practices damaged the body.

For more information on John N. Hurty and the award named after him, click here.