Opinion: Depression spurs Erlanger into future

Contributed Photo / The 1938-1939 addition to Erlanger Hospital is pictured.
Contributed Photo / The 1938-1939 addition to Erlanger Hospital is pictured.

(Editor's Note: Last in a series)

As news of the stock market crash in 1929 spread across the nation, local communities faced challenges as businesses and banks faltered, families faced uncertainty as employment was no longer guaranteed, and churches stepped forward to provide additional services. It was a difficult time for local governments, and Erlanger Hospital, already struggling with inconsistent funding, faced uncertainty.

And yet the national crises accompanying the stock market collapse did not dampen Chattanooga's enthusiasm. The opening of Children's Hospital in 1930 buoyed spirits. The sparkling new facility received full accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, and the Baroness Erlanger Hospital School of Nursing became affiliated with the children's center.

The total operating budget for the first year of operation was $71,299.25, and the administration finished the year within the budget, with approximately one-half of the budget allocated to medical staff. The average length of stay for Erlanger's youngest patients was 15 days at a cost of $5.12 per day.

Although Erlanger's funding during the 1930s wavered drastically, often threatening its continued operation, each time the administration and local community leaders were able to divert disaster with public appeals for financial support and good stewardship of available funds.

As the 1930s drew to an end, Chattanoogans gathered for the ribbon-cutting at a new addition to the Baroness, funded with a combination of local dollars and Public Works Administration allocations. The crowds paused in "awe" at the beauty of the new lobby, which according to a local newspaper featured unique construction techniques using "seven types of wood, in addition to aluminum, steel, terra cotta and precast art marble."

One of the lobby doors drew special attention as it had been carved to follow the curves of the building. The telephone booths in the lobby were constructed of unfinished oak panels, inlaid with maple and ebony. One interesting feature was a new tea room off the lobby to be operated by the Woman's Hospital Auxiliary. Profits would be used to fund special hospital projects and needs. Newspaper comments included the claim that the hospital's new entrance was "as glittering ... as New York's famed World Fair," while another reporter asserted the new information desk looked "like a movie set." Visitors to the hospital were intrigued by bronze inlays in the floor, learning that each symbol duplicated an ancient medical insignia.

The new patient rooms were described as "modern, beautiful and [an] extremely efficient center of medical care." Board Trustee T. Allen Lupton, who also served on the building committee, had used his tremendous influence to persuade friends to underwrite patient rooms and furnishings at a cost of $500 per room. His friends responded, and more than $40,000 was donated. Donors were recognized, with names engraved on bronze plaques placed on the doors of the rooms. Instead of the old buzzer system, new noiseless call lights had been installed.

Medical and support staff also were excited about the new addition. The new central supply room made disbursement of linens and other necessary items easier, while the introduction of two large autoclaves facilitated "germ extermination." A staff cafeteria, rooms for resident physicians and interns, four operating rooms with more than 100 new sterilizers, a new medical library and other features were welcome additions. One staff member commented to the press that "4,800 keys opened and locked the new facilities."

Erlanger had doubled its capacity from 225 to 500 beds, and one journalist noted, "Baroness Erlanger would have been proud of her new hospital." And indeed she probably would have celebrated the new addition, which had cost more than $1.3 million and had been welcomed with such public acclaim.

Over the next 90 years, Erlanger would weather many storms balanced by expansion, increased highly skilled medical staffing, technological improvements and the addition of new service lines. First came the supply shortages and polio epidemics of the 1940s along with the loss of staff as members joined the fight in the Europe and Pacific war theaters. Then came the 1950s, which witnessed the amazing decrease in the mortality rates for tuberculosis, syphilis, whooping cough and other illnesses due to the introduction of "new wonder drugs" [antibiotics] and new medical procedures. The next six decades brought their own challenges, and yet Erlanger, always confronted with inadequate funding as it continued to care for all of Chattanooga's citizens, stands.

In 1991, Erlanger physician and current board member Dr. Phil Burns wrote, "Erlanger will do well forever because this hospital's heart is in the right place ... ."

Linda Moss Mines, the Chattanooga and Hamilton County historian, is an Erlanger trustee. Visit chattahistoricalassoc.org for more information.

  photo  Contributed Photo / A close-up of one of the carvings in the entrance to the 1938-1939 addition to Erlanger Hospital.
 
 

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