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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:

Girls of the National Asthma Center, between 1970-1980

 Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0009.00005
Abstract Group of unidentified girl patients from the National Asthma Center smiling for a photograph. 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...
Dates: between 1970-1980

Golda Meir and the Korngolds, 1914

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0021.00003
Abstract

Future Israeli prime minister Golda Meir (center) stands with her sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Sam Korngold, and their daughter, Judith. The formal portrait was taken in Denver, Colorado.

Dates: 1914

Gov. George Craig of Indiana, c.1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0023
Abstract

One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph of Gov. George Craig of Indiana with signature on photograph.

Dates: c.1955

Group of Men at National Jewish Hospital, circa 1934

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0041.00018
Abstract

Ten men stand in a row at National Jewish Hospital. Left to right are Earl Morris, Dr. Louis Adelman, Alfred Grauman, Dr. Charles Kaufman, Milton Guldman, Rabbi W.S. Friedman, Ed Johnson, Jacob Wolff, Walter Appel, and Sam Schaefer .

Dates: circa 1934

Growing up in Early Colorado: The Lives of Jewish Children, 2012

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00011
Abstract

Brief biographies of Jewish men and women who grew up in Jewish communities in Colorado. Contains historical photographs and interviews with people describing their childhoods.

Dates: 2012

Gustave Frankel , c.1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0082
Abstract

One (1) large format black and white negative Gustave Frankel National Jewish Hospital trustee and and Chairman of Milwaukee Co.

Dates: c.1955

Harry Field, Lou Slotnick, Lou Martle, March 4, 1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0068
Abstract

One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph of Lou Slotnick, Harry Field, and Lou Martel standing in front of B'nai B'rith building at National Jewish Hospital. Two (2) large format black and white negatives. First one is of the same photo. Second is Harry Field standing in front of plaque.

Dates: March 4, 1955

Health Brochures, circa 1980

 File
Identifier: B005.06.0185.0006
Abstract

Contains a U.S. Department of Health and Human Service bulletin on High Blood Pressure, a Naitonal Jewish Hospital and National Asthma Center brochure on Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, and a brochure from the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine on Understanding Immunology.

Dates: circa 1980

Heart Surgery at National Jewish Hospital, 1961

 Item
Identifier: B063.03.0003.00011
Abstract

A heart surgery in progress at National Jewish Hospital. The cardiac surgery program was started in 1948 and discontinued in June of 1968. This program was one of the first in the West to perform the heart valve operations, mitral commissurotomy in the late 1940s. Even though the program had produced pioneering work in open-heart and lung surgery, it became too expensive to maintain and was no longer considered unique.

Dates: 1961

Hector Escabosa, c.1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0060
Abstract

One (1) 8x10 black and white portrait photograph of Hector Escabosa.

Dates: c.1955