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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 5 Collections and/or Records:

Bea Asherman Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B343
Abstract Bea Asherman was a longtime volunteer for National Jewish Health, beginning when she joined the New York Auxiliary Chapter of the National Home for Jewish Children, later the National Asthma Center. She became president of the New York auxillary, and then a national auxiliary board member and trustee. She continued to volunteer after the National Asthma Center merged with National Jewish Hospital. She helped establish 17 auxiliary chapters in New York. Collection contains photographs,...
Dates: 1924-1998

Bernard S. Fellner Digital Essays

 Collection
Identifier: B423
Abstract Bernard S. Fellner wrote “The Confessions and Convictions of a Conscientious CFO” about his nearly 18 years as the chief financial officer of National Jewish Hospital from 1980-1997. He helped make NJH solvent during the transition of National Jewish Hospital from inpatient to outpatient treatment of asthma. National Jewish Hospital began as a tuberculosis sanitorium and was free to all patients. When Bernard Fellner arrived in 1980, NJH had only recently begun to charge for treatment and...
Dates: Other: February 2020

Box 43 (Reading Room Exhibit Materials), 2014 - 2018

 File — Box B297.02.0043: Series B297.02 [Barcode: U186023293355]
Identifier: B297.02.0043
Abstract Box contains 57 reading room exhibit labels and reproduction photographs from the Beck Archives collection mounted on foam core boards. labels and photos cover a variety of individuals, families, and organizations. Some of those included are the Hornbein family; The Anfenger family; Rabbi William S. Friedman; The Jewish Consumptives Relief Society; Temple Emanuel; Peryle Hayutin Beck; Channah Milstein; Jesse Shwayder; Frances Wisebart Jacobs; Seraphine...
Dates: 2014 - 2018

Legacy of Healing Exhibit (History Colorado)

 Collection
Identifier: B437
Abstract

In 2019, The Legacy of Healing exhibit was installed at the Colorado History museum. Professor Jeanne Abrams, Curator of the Beck Archives at DU University Libraries, and her staff and History Colorado staff created and installed the exhibit. The collection consists of exhibit panels, wall images and labels, planning documents and digital images.

Dates: 2019-2020

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