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 605 Collections and/or Records:
Eleventh Annual Report of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives: Medical Supplement, 1911
The collection includes annual reports, correspondence, limited patient records, meeting minutes, financial statements, reports, scrapbooks, photographs, sound discs, and objects from 1899 to 2009. The items reveal patient demographics and characteristics as well as detailed information regarding the early treatment of tuberculosis.
Elmer A. Hamburg
The collection includes annual reports, correspondence, limited patient records, meeting minutes, financial statements, reports, scrapbooks, photographs, sound discs, and objects from 1899 to 2009. The items reveal patient demographics and characteristics as well as detailed information regarding the early treatment of tuberculosis.
Emil Friedlander , June 1954
One (1) large format black and white negative of Emil Friedlander.
Employee Handbooks, between 1950-1990
Folder contains Emplohyee Handbooks.
Entertainers for King Cole Night Club at NJH, November 13, 1954
Six (6) large format black and white negatives of musicians playing the drums, cello, and accordion at National Jewish Hospital. Negative envelope says King Cole Entertainers.
Eugene Connely, tenor with Denver Symphony Orchestra , October 18, 1954
Two (2) 8x10 black and white photographs of Eugene Connely a tenor with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. Three (3) large format black and white negatives of him interacting with children in what appears to be a nursery. One (1) black and white negative of him in front of the B'nai B'rith building at the National Jewish Hospital. Six (6) large format black and white negatives of him at Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Executive Committee, 1977
Correspondence to and from Richard Bluestein regarding executive committee, minutes
Exterior of B'nai B'rith Building, between 1970-1982
Exterior of the B'nai B'rith Building at National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado. The doors seem to be boarded up with wood and some of the letters are missing on the building.
Exterior of Lewisohn Chapel, between 1930-1940
Exterior of the Lewisohn Chapel, on the grounds of National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Exterior of Shoenberg Building, between 1900-1950
One of the buildings on the National Jewish Hospital at Denver's campus. The inscription on the architrave of the building reads, ''Joseph E. Shoenberg Memorial.'' Built in 1912, the building housed the vocational training school and other classrooms for the National Jewish Health.