Our History
Tuberculosis is the most common infectious cause of disease in the world, credited with the death of 2 to 3 million people annually. In the United States TB epidemics have been eliminated, but, 75 years ago it was a leading cause of death in America, as well.
Looking
at the number of people infected with TB in the Boston area in the mid-1920s,
Dr. Moses Stone asked, "where are those too poor to pay going to
get care?" He was passionate in his desire to help, and he instilled
this passion in a group of local Jewish women. Through their efforts the
Jewish Tuberculosis Sanatorium was incorporated by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts in October 1927 in Rutland, Massachusetts. Upon its opening
Dr. Stone served as the Chief of Staff.
Eva Blender, Bella Doxer, Fannie Bocholtz,
and Dora Lukatch where at the forefront of this project, rallying
a large group of community women to raise money in support of establishing
the sanatorium. In the days when few women worked at paying jobs
outside the home, these women embraced fundraising as their vocation.
They gave their talent and time and creativity and commitment -
working ceaselessly to establish and run the Rutland facility. A
brochure from those early days, gives us a picture of the sanatorium
and the care provided: for almost a quarter of a century, tuberculosis-racked
poor, almost without the will to live, turned in desperation to
the haven of hope the sanatorium offered.
And their trust was not misplaced, for the hospital did a yeoman service in the herculean task of transforming despair into hope, ill health into physical well-being. Modern facilities, expert medical attention and sympathetic nursing care were combined with congenial environment, attractive surroundings and wholesome food, thus facilitating the patients' fight for spiritual as well as physical recovery.
Over the years, health was restored to over 800 poor people who were victims of tuberculosis. Expert medical care was provided by the resident physician and nursing staff as well as a corps of visiting doctors and dentists who contributed their services. A vital link in the battle to control TB, the sanatorium provided modern therapy and pioneered the use of new drugs and surgical techniques. It was one of the first places in the country to pioneer the use of streptomycin. By the early 1950s the facility was experiencing growing pains and plans for a new hospital were under way.
"The
long awaited opening of the New England Sinai Hospital in Jamaica Plain,
as New England's sole charitable tuberculosis center, is a fitting tribute
to the work and progress of Sinai since its inception as the Jewish
Sanatorium,"
wrote reporter Bruce Mann in a September 23, 1954 issue of the Jewish
Advocate. The new 18-bed, three story hospital was equipped with an
X-ray department, modern laboratory, dental clinic, chapel, library,
day rooms for occupational therapy and a kosher kitchen. A scientific
research board was established to investigate cause, prevention and
cure of TB and the complete rehabilitation services provided also included
research in improved methods and advanced techniques for treating the
disease. As medical science progressed and new drugs made it possible
to control tuberculosis, Sinai directed its focus to the care of patients
with chronic diseases and those needing complex medical care.
In
1967, the board again was faced with the need for a larger facility. Seeing
a population shift to the south of Boston, a decision was made to find
a new property south of Route 128 on which to build a hospital. After
a three year search, a 28.5 acre site was purchased in Stoughton and with
Development Committee chairman Archie Kaplan at the helm, fund raising
began in earnest. Following the move to Stoughton in 1976, he served as
president and chairman of the board.
Today, Sinai is a 212-bed free standing, not-for-profit long-term acute medical and rehabilitation hospital. It is recognized as a premier regional specialty hospital, delivering quality physical rehabilitation, pulmonary and complex medical care as well as ambulatory services.
Sinai
is a major teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine and
the home base of the residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Tufts-affiliated pulmonary physicians and fellows keep Sinai at the forefront
of pulmonary medicine.
Recognizing a growing need for outpatient rehabilitation services, Sinai opened the Feldberg Ambulatory Care Center in 1992. Focused on patient care and convenience, it offers patients the highest quality of specialized outpatient services with out the difficulty of traveling to Boston. The center is home to the Richard A. Field Diabetes Center, the most comprehensive diabetes program in southeastern Massachusetts.
In 1997, Sinai opened a 20-bed inpatient satellite at New England Medical
Center, which was expanded to a 30-bed facility in 1999. In 1998, Sinai
opened a second 20-bed satellite at Waltham Hospital, Waltham. Waltham
Hospital closed in June 2004 necessitating the closure of Sinai's inpatient
satellite.
Since 1927, many people have had a role in the Sinai story: the dedicated
caregivers - physicians, nurses, therapists, and technicians - and those
who support their efforts through administrative and ancillary services,
as well as the families, volunteers and members of the community who,
through their support, have made Sinai a place that has no equal.