National Jewish Hospital (U.S.)
Dates
- Usage: 1926 - 1964
Biography
In the late nineteenth century, Denver, Colorado, faced a severe social problem when hundreds of people severely ill with tuberculosis converged on the city, attracted by the reputation Denver had already acquired as the "world's sanatorium." Because of the onslaught of consumptives, beds for patients in city and state general hospitals were so scarce that the poor were frequently left to their own devices, often dying in the streets. One of the first people to conceive of a free hospital for the indigent tuberculosis victims in Denver was Frances Wisebart Jacobs. She launched a relentless campaign to arouse public awareness on behalf of the indigent consumptives, seeking the support of business people and political leaders to raise funds for a new hospital. Jacobs found an ally in a young rabbi, William Sterne Friedman. Rabbi Friedman enlisted the financial support of some of the trustees of his congregation, Temple Emanuel, insisting that concern for the sick and indigent had always been a vital tenet of Jewish tradition. The original hospital, the Frances Jacobs Hospital, was not completed because of the silver panic of 1893. The hospital received financial assistance from the International Order of B'nai B'rith. This vital support came mainly through the efforts of Louis Anfenger, a local Jewish citizen who was also a founder of both Temple Emanuel and the Denver chapter of B'nai B'rith. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH) opened its doors to Jews and gentiles alike in 1899 as the first sanatorium in Denver for tuberculosis victims. Samuel Grabfelder of Louisville, Kentucky served as president from 1899-1920; Seraphine Pisko was executive secretary (Director) from 1911-1938. Some of the physicians associated with the hospital included Dr. Saling Simon, Dr. Robert Levy, and Dr. John Elsner. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest.
As a result of national support, NJH introduced a revolutionary concept to tuberculosis treatment by offering free services to indigent consumptives. The motto was, "None can pay who enter, and None who enter can pay." Only patients with incipient tuberculosis, where treatment could be most effective, were to be admitted to NJH, and the length of stay was limited to six months. These conditions reflect the medical opinion of the time and the scarcity of hospital beds for consumptives. It was commonly thought that attempting to treat advanced cases only wasted time and money that could be more profitably directed toward patients who had a good chance of recovery. National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives changed its name several times, subsequently being known as National Jewish Hospital (1925-1964) and later becoming National Jewish Hospital and Research Center (1965-1977), National Jewish Hospital/National Asthma Center (after merging with National Asthma Center in 1978), and National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine (1986-1996). In 1997, the organization changed its name to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and focused on lung, allergic and immune diseases. It was renamed National Jewish Health in July 2008. The facility continues to treat patients from throughout the country, using cutting-edge medicine and research.
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Aerial View of National Jewish Hospital, circa 1997
Campus of National Jewish Medical and Research Center. The campus sat on 14 acres and had 12 buildings, which was approximately 500,000 square feet at the time this photograph was taken in 1997. It is located at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Denver, Colorado.
B'nai B'rith Building at National Jewish Hospital, 1961
Exterior of the B'nai B'rith building on the campus of National Jewish Hospital. This building was located at 3800 East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado. Initially it was an infirmary for adults but later became the Department of Pediatrics. A gymnasium, two classrooms, recreation and rehabilitation facilities were later added.
Chest Research Laboratories at National Jewish Hospital, 1961
Exterior of the Chest Research Laboratories on the campus of National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Exterior of Lewisohn Chapel, between 1930-1940
Exterior of the Lewisohn Chapel, on the grounds of National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Lewisohn Chapel, National Jewish Hospital, between 1906-1950
Exterior view of the Lewisohn Chapel; Chapel established in 1906 for patients at National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colo.
Lewisohn Chapel, National Jewish Hospital, between 1906-1950
Exterior view of the Lewisohn Chapel; Chapel established in 1906 for patients at National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colo.
National Jewish Hospital, between 1900-1930
Three buildings of National Jewish Hospital can be seen across a road. The largest building has a banner which says "National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives."
National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives Postcard, circa 1915
A postcard with a drawing of a "Birdseye view of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, Denver, Colorado, A Free Hospital for the Poor Consumptive" from around 1915. Traffic of horse drawn wagons, cars, and a trolly are shown on Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado.
National Rehabilitation Center at National Jewish Hospital, 1961
Exterior of the National Rehabilitation Center on the campus of National Jewish Hospital. Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists worked there to help patients reshape their lives.
Post Card, circa 1915
Contains 1 postcard with drawing of the campus National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, showing 9 buildings.