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National Jewish Health (U.S.)

 Organization

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 10 Collections and/or Records:

Box 178 (Research Studies), 1930-1949

 File — Box B005.05.0178: Series B005.05 [Barcode: U186020748050]
Identifier: B005.05.0178
Abstract

''Contributions to the Study of Tuberculosis'' NJH Research Studies, Vols. 10-18, 1930-1949.

Dates: 1930-1949

Box 212 (Press Book Releases), 1963-1965

 File — Box B005.06.0212: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020756972]
Identifier: B005.06.0212

Box 221, 1899-circa 1950

 File — Box B005.01.0221: Series B005.01 [Barcode: U186020757067]
Identifier: B005.01.0221
Abstract

Historical information, Correspondence, B'nai B'rith information.

Dates: 1899-circa 1950

Collins, Grabfelder, and Pisko Correspondence, 1911 July-September

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0002
Abstract

Collins, Grabfelder, and Seraphine Pisko correspondence.

Dates: 1911 July-September

Grabfelder and Pisko Correspondence, 1911 October-December

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0004
Abstract

Correspondence related to Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, and Samuel Grabfelder, President of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1911 October-December

Grabfelder and Pisko Correspondence, 1912 January-June

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0005
Abstract

Correspondence related to Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, and Samuel Grabfelder, President of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1912 January-June

Grabfelder and Pisko Correspondence, 1913 January-April

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0007
Abstract

Correspondence related to Samuel Grabfelder, President of the National Jewish Hospital for Cosumptives, and Seraphine Pisko, Secretary of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1913 January-April

Grabfelder Correspondence, 1910 July-December

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0001
Abstract

Samuel Grabfelder correspondence.

Dates: 1910 July-December

Grabfelder Correspondence, 1911 January-June

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0001.0003
Abstract

Correspondence related to Samuel Grabfelder, President of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives

Dates: 1911 January-June

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