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 268 Collections and/or Records:
Heart Surgery at National Jewish Hospital, 1961
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.
Indiana Pacers with Children of the National Asthma Center, between 1970-1980
Interior and Exteriors of JCRS, NJH, and Denver Buildings, circa 1915
Contact prints of 35 millimeter roll of film. Images are of the various people and buildings of National Jewish Hospital, JCRS, and Denver, Colorado.
Invitation to Dedications and Banquet, 1922 June 23
Isidor Bronfin, M.D. Papers
Jewish Benevolence, Panel 1, 2001
One of 12 exhibit display panels from the exhibit "Blazing the Trail: Denver's Jewish Pioneers." Panel titled "Jewish Benevolence" features more historical information and includes National Jewish Hospital, Francis Wisebart Jacobs, and JCRS.
John Elsner, M.D. Papers
John Kirkland Throws Frisbees at a Benefit for the National Asthma Center, between 1973-1978
Lewisohn Chapel, National Jewish Hospital, between 1906-1950
Exterior view of the Lewisohn Chapel; Chapel established in 1906 for patients at National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colo.
Lewisohn Chapel, National Jewish Hospital, between 1906-1950
Exterior view of the Lewisohn Chapel; Chapel established in 1906 for patients at National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colo.