Dr. H. John Barkay D. O.
May 20, 1926 - June 29, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we the members of the founding chapter of the Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund mourn the loss of their founding father, Dr. Barkay. In Michigan, Dr. Barkay devoted 44 years of his life as a general practitioner in private practice as he served many patients in all walks of life. He was a devout Catholic and practiced his faith as a caring community and international leader by supporting many medical charities both at home and across the border to the mountains of Mexico.
In Mexico, on a medical mission of mercy, he met and worked with Fr. Luis VerPlanken to improve the health and well-being of the Ramauri Indians at the Santa Teresita Medical Clinic. When he returned to the United States he was compelled to start a charity with the intent to improve the living conditions and health of these primitive people. Thus, the Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund was born sometime in the 1960s. In August, 1976, the Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund became a registered 501(C)3 charity. We are now known as the Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund of Michigan and have expanded to Oregon and Louisiana.
Over the years, Dr. Barkay has been the leader of many caring committee members, who have helped one single Jesuit priest improve the quality of life for many who were eager to learn new methods of caring for themselves. We are sure he is smiling in heaven as he watches many mission, clinic leaders and TCHF volunteers continue to guide and teach the Indians how to improve their quality of life. God blessed us with a loving founder. You will be missed......