Kugler Hospital and Dr. Anna Kugler

Founded on June 22, 1897 by Dr. Anna Kugler, the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission Hospital on the 18 acre campus was considered one of the best during her tenure. Dr. Kugler was the first woman medical missionary sent by the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United States. She ministered to the spiritual and physical health of the people in Guntur region for 47 years. No patient left the walls of the hospital without having heard of the grace and mercy of Jesus of Christ, the Savior. The Mission Hospital, which was renamed after her as Kugler Hospital has been a prominent landmark in Guntur.

Anna Sarah Kugler was born in Ardmore, Pennsylvania; graduated from Friends' Central High School in Philadelphia. She attended the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1879. She interned for two years in the Women’s Department of the Norristown State Hospital. She was moved by a sermon of an old missionary that described the suffering of Indian women for the lack of medical aid, and decided to do medical work for the women in India. In 1882 Dr. Kugler applied to the Board of Foreign Missions of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in America for sponsorship. As the Mission was not ready for medical work, she was initially sent to India as a general missionary to assist the Zenana work.

Dr. Kugler arrived in Guntur on November 29, 1883. In addition to her general missionary duties, she worked on secondary responsibilities as doctor. Recognizing the need, she was appointed a medical missionary in 1885, and a new dispensary for women and children was opened on February 15, 1892. A corner stone was laid for the hospital building in 1893. Eventually American Evangelical Lutheran Mission Hospital became operational in 1897, which was mostly administered by women. Dr. Kugler worked tirelessly as a doctor as well as raising funds for the need. Over time, the hospital was equipped with surgical facilities, maternity and children wards and a nursing school. A chapel was erected in the campus with the generous donation from Mrs. Sophia Zimmerman, President of the Woman's Missionary Society of the First English Lutheran Church, USA. The Women’s Convention in Pennsylvania donated much needed amount to rebuild the maternity and surgical blocks, and a children’s ward was donated by Mrs. Mary Hencken of New York in 1911.

For the yeoman services rendered by Dr. Anna Kugler, the British government in India awarded her the Kaiser-i-Hind Medal twice in 1905 and 1917. She was a devoted, consecrated, self-sacrificing worker in the missions cause and an accomplished, admirable and highly honored missionary. Her autobiography titled “Guntur Mission Hospital” is considered a great inspiration to the medical servants and others as well. Dr. Anna Sarah Kugler died of pernicious anemia on July 26, 1930 and was buried in Guntur. Though her name was deeply graven in the hearts of people, a bust and a tablet were installed at the entrance to the hospital in 1983, which will continuously remind the great services of this noble woman.