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National Jewish Hospital (U.S.)

 Organization

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 605 Collections and/or Records:

Box 185, between 1925-1990

 File — Box B005.04.0185: Series B005.04; Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020748123]
Identifier: B005.04.0185
Abstract

Five folders with administrative materials out of 18 folders.

Dates: between 1925-1990

Box 185 (PR, Physicians and Staff), 1905-2000

 File — Box B005.04.0185: Series B005.04; Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020748123]
Identifier: B005.06.0185
Scope and Contents

13 folders with historic documents out of 18 folders.

Dates: 1905-2000

Box 201 (Biographies), 1899-2009

 File — Box B005.06.0201: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020756867]
Identifier: B005.06.0201
Abstract

Inactive biographies, A-F Inactive Biographies, A-F

Dates: 1899-2009

Box 216 (Annual Dinners), 1949-1989

 File — Box B005.06.0216: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020757017]
Identifier: B005.06.0216
Abstract

Annual Dinner Journals, invitations and dinner related materials; audio reel of 1974 Diamond Jubilee Dinner honoring trustees

Dates: 1949-1989

Box 220 (Historical Information), 1900-1950

 File — Box B005.06.0220: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020757059]
Identifier: B005.06.0220
Abstract

Historical Information, Correspondence, David May background, Stationary from S. Pisko, Interviews.

Dates: 1900-1950

Box 222 (NJH Week and Solicitations), 1920-1940

 File — Box B005.07.0222: Series B005.07 [Barcode: U186020757075]
Identifier: B005.07.0222
Abstract

(2) Scrapbooks - NJH Week 1930, Solicitation letters

Dates: 1920-1940

Box 233 (NJH Week Scrapbooks), 1928-1929

 File — Box B005.06.0233: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020757180]
Identifier: B005.06.0233
Abstract

(2) bound Scrapbooks - NJH Week Scrapbook, 1929; NJH Week Scrapbook, 1928.

Dates: 1928-1929

Boy Playing Table Tennis at the National Asthma Center, between 1973-1985

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0006.00003
Abstract Henry DeCocteau playing table tennis at the National Asthma Center. The National Asthma Center's history began in 1907 as the Denver Sheltering Home for Jewish Children, which was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver. In 1953, the name changed to the Jewish National Home for Asthmatic Children at Denver and the...
Dates: between 1973-1985

Boy Playing Table Tennis at the National Asthma Center, between 1974-1979

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0021.0001.00036
Abstract A boy plays table tennis at the National Asthma Center (NAC) The NAC encouraged asthmatic children to participate in physical activities. The child was a patient at NAC. The NAC's history began in 1907, when it was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. At that time it was known as the Denver Sheltering Home. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver. In 1953,...
Dates: between 1974-1979

Boys at the National Asthma Center, 1947 May

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0001.00001
Abstract Group of boys from the National Asthma Center (NAC) sit on the steps of a building with two unidentified nurses. The Center's history began in 1907 as the Denver Sheltering Home for Jewish Children, which was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver. In 1953, the name changed to the Jewish National Home for Asthmatic...
Dates: 1947 May