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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 24 Collections and/or Records:

Invitation to Dedications and Banquet, 1922 June 23

 Item
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002.00001
Abstract Invitation to building dedications and a banquet and dance by the trustees of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. The dedications were of the Louis D. Beaumont Home for Nurses and The Hofheimer Children's Building at the hospital, both built largely through the efforts of Seraphine Pisko. A banquet and dance was held at the Albany Hotel. Seraphine Eppstein Pisko (1861-1942) began working at National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives as a field secretary, fund raiser, in 1900. In...
Dates: 1922 June 23

Jean and Milt Morris Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B275
Abstract Milt Morris was born in Cleveland in 1915 and his family moved to Denver to find a cure for his mother's asthma at National Jewish Hospital. He graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1939. Milt Morris served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He taught business law at DU for eleven years. He practiced law in Denver for many years and was a partner in Feder, Morris, Tamblyn and Goldstein where he specialized in real estate law. In 1941, Jean Wohlegarth married her...
Dates: 1888-2007

Mr. and Mrs. William Kline Cohen, 1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0008
Abstract

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.

Dates: 1955

Mrs. Archie Coleman , c.1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0009
Abstract

One (1) 8x10 black and white photograph of Mrs. Archie Coleman of Bozeman, Montana holding the hand of a small child on a scale in what appears to be a nursery.

Dates: c.1955

Mrs. Archie Coleman , c.1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0012
Abstract

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.

Dates: c.1955

Mrs. Samuel Cohen and Mrs. Beth Rosenthal, March 14, 1955

 File
Identifier: B005.07.0238.0007
Abstract Four (4) 8x10 black and white photographs. The first photo is of Mrs. Samuel Cohen of Minneapolis and Mrs. Beth Rosenthal of Los Angeles standing in front of the B'nai B'rith building of the National Jewish Hospital. The second photo is of Mrs. Samuel Cohen standing in front of a plaque recognizing contributers to the building campaign. The third photo is of Mrs. Samuel Cohen shaking hands with Phil Houtz. The fourth photo is of Mrs. Beth Rosenthal shaking hands with Phil Houtz. Four (4)...
Dates: March 14, 1955

National Council of Jewish Women, 1936 July 24

 Item
Identifier: B063.04.0037.00087
Abstract

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.

Dates: 1936 July 24

National Jewish Hospital Records

 Collection
Identifier: B005
Abstract In 1899, the Jewish community erected the non-sectarian National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives (NJH), the first sanatorium in Denver, Colorado, for tuberculosis victims. With the financial assistance of the International B'nai B'rith fraternal organization, patients from all over the U.S. were admitted free of charge. The NJH adopted a program that emphasized the benefits of fresh air, proper nutrition, and rest. The hospital was founded by a group of Jewish residents of Denver who were...
Dates: 1892-2017

Organizational Letterhead, Invitation and Program, between 1922-1942

 File
Identifier: B242.02.0001.0002
Abstract The folder contains materials created by two organizations with which Seraphine Pisko was affiliated: National Jewish Hospital and National Council of Women. Included are two pages of blank letterhead (1925) from the National Council of Women and one page of blank letterhead from National Jewish Hospital (undated), which feature Pisko's name and titles in the margins. In addition, there is a 1922 National Jewish Hospital Trustees' invitation to a dinner dance and the dedication of the Louis...
Dates: between 1922-1942

Plaque for Frances Wisebart Jacobs Statue, circa 1987

 Item
Identifier: B063.08.0039.00052
Abstract

Metal plaque mounted on wood and engraved with ''Frances Wisebart Jacobs; After her death in 1892, the Frances Jacobs Hospital was erected on this site. It was the forerunner of the present institution, and was established through the love and gratitude of the people of Denver to memorialized a noble pioneer, Denver's 'Mother of Charities'''.

Dates: circa 1987