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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:

Robert Levy Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B372
Abstract Dr. Robert Levy (1864-1945) began attending the University of Denver in 1880. Most of the signatures in the autograph album date from when he was a student at the university. He started practicing medicine in Denver in 1884 after training at Bellevue Hospital. He helped found National Jewish Hospital and Gross Medical College. He served as president of the Denver and Colorado medical societies. Publications in the collection by Dr. Levy are on medical education and on the effect of climate...
Dates: 1881-1945

Secretarial Training at National Jewish Hospital, 1961

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0003.00010
Abstract

Two women part of the secretarial training at National Jewish Hospital. The training was part of a vocational training program for patient rehabilitation at the hospital.

Dates: 1961

Senator Gary Hart at the National Asthma Center, 1977 February 14

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0012.00001
Abstract Colorado Senator Gary Hart stands at a press conference 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...
Dates: 1977 February 14

Seraphine Pisko, c. 1930

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0011.00001
Abstract Seraphine Eppstein Pisko sits at a desk at National Jewish Hospital (NJH). She served as the president of the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society (renamed the Jewish Relief Society in 1901) and as president of the Denver Council of Jewish Women. She also helped organize the Denver Jewish Settlement House and a free kindergarten to benefit the Eastern European Jewish immigrants on Denver's west side. Pisko became a fund-raiser for the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, and in 1911 she...
Dates: c. 1930

Seraphine Pisko 75th Birthday Program, 1936 January 5

 Item
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002.00002
Abstract Program for Seraphine Pisko's seventy-fifth birthday anniversary dinner held by the board of managers of the National Jewish Hospital at Denver. The Dinner was held at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado. Rabbi William S. Friedman was the toastmaster and a number of people spoke on Seraphine Pisko's career. Seraphine Eppstein Pisko (1861-1942) began working at National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives as a field secretary, fund raiser, in 1900. In 1911 she became the...
Dates: 1936 January 5

Staff Lists, between 1947-1975

 File
Identifier: B005.06.0185.0003
Abstract

Brochures with lists of staff from 1947, 1949, 1953-1957, 1963, and a two pages of short biographies of new physicians from 1975.

Dates: between 1947-1975

Staff Phone Directories, 1979, 1982

 File
Identifier: B005.06.0185.0010
Scope and Contents

National Jewish Hospital telephone directories (1978-1979, 1982) in alphabetical order on computer print-out sheets.

Dates: 1979, 1982

Stained Glass Window, 1909

 Item
Identifier: B005.07.0243.00001
Abstract

Star of David leaded stained glass window from the Lewisohn Chapel at National Jewish Hospital. The window was removed from the Chapel before it was demolished in 1973.

Dates: 1909

Steve McCree Jumping Over an Object at the National Asthma Center, between 1973-1985

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0006.00004
Abstract Steve McCree jumps over an unidentified object 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...
Dates: between 1973-1985

Stewart T. Ginsberg of Marian, Indiana, c.1950

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0099
Abstract

One (1) 3x3 black and white photograph Stewart T. Ginsberg of Marian, Indiana.

Dates: c.1950