76
Chapter 5: Troubled Waters
Above: Presbyterian Hospital,
Gold Avenue
Presbyterian Healthcare Services Photoarchive
1933
Below: Southwestern Presbyterian
Sanatorium birth certificate, Sidney Ash Courtesy: Sid Ash
1928
cannot assist this year. Write me in 1932.” One headline read, “Hundreds send regrets.” Patients couldn’t afford their $65 per month fees, but no one was about to put them on the street. Much of the institution’s money was invested in real estate contracts and rentals, and debtors fell delinquent in payments. Foreclosure was necessary to recoup the property, but doing so contradicted the San’s giving philosophy and was emotionally difficult. Previous plans to build a real hospital went forward. Dr. Cooper felt the need was great and the monies already earmarked. Despite later criticism, meeting the demand for general health care was urgent. Mrs. Van recalled that beds in the halls were “always a fact of life.” Babies were delivered in mothers’ rooms in the main building. Albuquerque native Sid Ash was born there in 1928, and ironically, his mother died in the same building decades later. Every iota of space was always ingeniously used.
PHS_100.indb 76
9/23/08 11:20:56 PM