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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:

Grant Request for Clinical Research Building, 1970

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0012.0026
Abstract

fundraising events, schedules of events

Dates: 1970

H, 1971-1972

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0026.0027
Abstract

Correspondence related to persons and companies starting with the letter ''H''

Dates: 1971-1972

He, 1971-1972

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0026.0028
Abstract

Correspondence related to persons and companies starting with the letters ''He''

Dates: 1971-1972

Historical Information, Public Relations and Staff Materials, 1900-2007

 Series
Identifier: B005.06
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: 1900-2007

Ho, 1971-1972

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0026.0029
Abstract

Correspondence related to persons and companies starting with the letters ''Ho''

Dates: 1971-1972

Honorable Samuel A. Weiss, 1952-1972

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0024.0029
Abstract

Correspondence related to Samuel A. Weiss

Dates: 1952-1972

Hortense Libman Foundation, 1952-1972

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0024.0013
Abstract

Correspondence related to the Hortense Libman Foundation

Dates: 1952-1972

Hospital Rankings and "Breathe Easy" Article, 1997-2003

 File
Identifier: B005.05.0306.0018
Abstract

File contains U.S. News rankings of hospitals that treat pulmonary disease showing National Jewish Hospital as number 1 in 1998, 2001, and 2003. The file also contains a 1997 Life article, "Breathe Easy," that features National Jewish.

Dates: 1997-2003

Hospital Structure, 1981-1982

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0036.0033
Abstract

Correspondence to and from Richard Bluestein related to hospital organizational structure

Dates: 1981-1982

Houston - R.O. 33, 1968

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0010.0009
Abstract

Memorandums and letters regarding the Houston office, news clippings

Dates: 1968