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 54 Collections and/or Records:
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Gerson of N.Y., March 7, 1955
One (1) large format black and white negative Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Gerson of New York standing in front of National Jewish Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Feifer, August, 1955
One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Feifer at B'nai B'rith. One (1) black and white negative with two images of same photo.
Mr. and Mrs. Finger, Houston TX, August, 1950
One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph Mr. and Mrs. Finger of Houston, Texas sitting with children who are eating. Two (2) large format black and white negatives of same photo.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Falstein, August 23, 1954
One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph Mrs. Harold Falstein visits National Jewish Hospital and interacts with child eating. Four (4) large format black and white negatives. The first is of the same photo. The second is Mr. and Mrs. Falstein standing in front of plaque. The third is Mr. and Mrs. Falstein sitting in front of NJH. The fourth is Mrs. Falstein is in what appears to be a lab.
Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Fred of Waco, TX , c.1955
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.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Dreyfus, Chicago , c.1955
One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Dreyfus of the Chicago Women's Division standing in front of plaque at National Jewish Hospital at Denver's Honor Roll plaque. Two (2) large format black and white negatives. One of the same photo and one of them in a kitchen.
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Fisher B'nai B'rith San Antonio, TX, July, 1953
One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Fisher of B'nai B'rith of San Antonio, Texas. One (1) large format black and white negative of same photo.
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.
Mrs. Archie Coleman , c.1955
One (1) large format black and white negative of Mrs. Archie Coleman weighing a child on a scale in what appears to be a nursey. Photo is similar to B005.07.0238.0009.
Mrs. E.G. Comingore of Washington DC, September 03, 1953
Two (2) 8x10 black and white photographs of Mrs. E.G. Comingore of Washington D.C. interacting with children in a nursery. Four (4) large format black and white negatives of her interacting with children. Two (2) of the negatives are of the photographs.