Dates
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 206 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0001.00001
Abstract
Group of boys from the National Asthma Center (NAC) sit on the steps of a building with two unidentified nurses. The 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:
1947 May
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0003.00001
Abstract
Group of boys from the National Asthma Center (NAC) walking outside on a cool day. The NAC'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 the...
Dates:
between 1970-1990
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0021.0001.00062
Abstract
Two boys jump on a trampoline at the National Asthma Center (NAC) in Denver, Colorado. The NAC encouraged asthmatic children to participate in physical activities. These boys were patients of the NAC. The NAC's history began in 1907, when it was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. At that time it was known as the Denver Sheltering Home. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for...
Dates:
between 1974-1979
File
Identifier: B005.01.0007.0004
Abstract
Correspondence regarding the San Bernardino, California federation
Dates:
1960-1969
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0004.00002
Abstract
An unidentified child makes a piece of pottery on a pottery wheel at the Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital. 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...
Dates:
between 1970-1980
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0021.0001.00055
Abstract
Child playing tetherball at the National Asthma Center (NAC). The NAC encouraged asthmatic children to take part in physical activities. The NAC's history began in 1907, when it was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. At that time it was known as the Denver Sheltering Home. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver. In 1953, the name changed to the Jewish...
Dates:
between 1974-1979
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0021.0001.00032
Abstract
An unidentified boy inhales on an inhaler while an unidentified man watches. The child was a patient at the National Asthma Center (NAC) in Denver, Colorado. The NAC's history began in 1907, when it was a refuge for lower-income children whose parents were being treated for tuberculosis, or had passed away from tuberculosis. At that time it was known as the Denver Sheltering Home. In 1928 the institution changed names to the National Home for Jewish Children in Denver. In 1953, the name...
Dates:
between 1974-1979
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0004.00003
Abstract
An unidentified group of children eat watermelon at the Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital. 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...
Dates:
between 1957-1973
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0009.00004
Abstract
Two unidentified boys from the National Asthma Center perform gymnastics. An unidentified woman watches them while kneeling on the floor with exercise mats. 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...
Dates:
between 1970-1980
Item
Identifier: B089.12.0020.0009.00003
Abstract
Three unidentified boys from the National Asthma Center play football. 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 the...
Dates:
between 1970-1980
