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 17 Collections and/or Records:
Growing up in Early Colorado: The Lives of Jewish Children, 2012
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.
Joseph Cohen, c.1955
One (1) black and white large format negative of Joseph Cohen.
Mr. A.B. Cohen, c.1955
One (1) negative of Mr. A.B. Cohen. Writing on his lapel reads Kim S Thoughts[illegible] A.B. Cohen.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kline Cohen, 1955
Four (4) negatives with two images on each. In the negatives there are four individuals but they are not specifically identified. It's known that two of the individuals are Mr. and Mrs. William Kline Cohen. In some, they are standing in front of the plaque recognizing contributers to the B'nai B'rith building of the National Jewish Hospital.
National Council of Jewish Women, 1936 July 24
Several unidentified men and women pose in front of a car in Eldorado Springs, Colorado during a Denver Section Council of Jewish Women picnic for adults of National Jewish Hospital. Many of them are eating popsicles.
Rabbi and Mrs. Fox visit NJH , July 30, 1954
One (1) large format black and white negative Rabbi and Mrs. Fox visiting National Jewish Hospital.
Rabbi Henry Cohen of Galveston , c.1955
Two (2) black and white photographs of Rabbi Henry Cohen from Galveston. One photo is 4x3. One photo is 3x3.