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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 1395 Collections and/or Records:

RO 33 - Houston, 1970

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0012.0055
Abstract

correspondence related to the Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc.

Dates: 1970

RO 46 - Atlanta, 1970

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0012.0056
Abstract

correspondence related to the Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc.

Dates: 1970

R.O. Directors, 1968 December 15-18

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0023.0006
Abstract

Correspondence related to the Melvin H. Schlesinger Dinner

Dates: 1968 December 15-18

RO Newsletters, 1964-1965

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0011.0030
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

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.

Dates: 1964-1965

Room Reservations, 1950-1960

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0014.0025
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

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.

Dates: 1950-1960

R.O's - Correspondence to all R.O's, 1970

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0012.0041
Abstract

correspondence related to the Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc.

Dates: 1970

Rosalind Farnam Dudden Transcript

 Collection — Box B422.01.0001: [Barcode: B186023258290]
Identifier: B422
Abstract Rosalind (Roz) Farnam Dudden was interviewed by Margaret Bandy in May of 2019 as part of the Medical Library Associations (MLA) Oral History Project. She received her MLS from the University of Denver in 1970. Roz Dudden directed two libraries in Denver, Mercy Medical Center, a Catholic general hospital, (1971-1986) and at National Jewish Health (1986-2011). She is recognized for leading collaborative efforts with hospital librarians in Colorado and the Medical Library Association for...
Dates: 2018-2019

Rosh Hashana, 1964-1965

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0009.0027
Abstract

memo regarding rosh hashona foods

Dates: 1964-1965

Rosh Hashanah (1), 1962

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0011.0031
Abstract

news clippings and materials regarding Rosh Hashanah

Dates: 1962

Rosh Hashanah (2), 1962

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0011.0032
Abstract

news clippings and materials regarding Rosh Hashanah

Dates: 1962