Academic History (Page 1 of 2)
As a leading institution in the treatment and research of
respiratory, immune and related disorders, National Jewish Health* has
always been dedicated to educating future generations of healthcare
providers and its patients.
In 1925, the organization began its medical education program for
physicians. That year, the Colorado Medical School designated National
Jewish as the training center in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and
chest medicine for its students. Courses were held at National Jewish
and taught by the hospital’s own medical and scientific staff.
Throughout the years, the hospital also held major conferences to
learn and disseminate knowledge on certain diseases. For example, in
1955, National Jewish held the world’s first conference on the problems
of TB in children, the International Symposium on Tuberculosis in
Infancy and Childhood. Because of the original and much-needed
contributions the experts at the conference made, the full proceedings
of the symposium were published and distributed to every pediatrician,
TB specialist and medical school in the United States.
Patient Education
By the early 1930s, only 50 out of 600 or more sanatoriums in the
United States offered educational and vocational training to its
patients. National Jewish, however, had been providing that service
since the early 1900s, in order to equip patients, who often came from
lives of poverty, to function more effectively in the world outside of
the hospital. National Jewish offered a variety of classes, including
English, drafting, electrical wiring and automobile repair.
The school was progressive for its time, and instruction was
individualized according to varying learning needs and physical
capabilities. The emphasis was on learning through doing, encouraging
the student to think for himself.
Kunsberg School
In 1932, an in-hospital school opened on the National Jewish campus
for the youngest TB patients. Kunsberg School (as it's called today) is
a fully accredited day school for chronically ill children in
kindergarten through eighth grade whose illnesses prohibit their
attendance in a normal public school. From its inception, students have
received individual and structured education programs to assist them in
achieving academic and physical excellence and to prepare them to
become independent, self reliant and responsible.
NEXT: Professional Education and Training
Page 1, 2
*Over the years, the National Jewish Health name has evolved to
better communicate our mission. However, all names have included a
common component –the words National Jewish. Therefore, the name
National Jewish is used in all references to our institution throughout
this history overview.
