Colorado’s Leading Lung Doctor

By Jack Saroni

John Isadore Zarit

June 6, 1900- December 16, 1970

“My challenge to you is that we be granted the serenity of accepting what we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can change, and the wisdom to know the difference.” [1]

Dr. Zarit, pictured second on the left, with fellow professionals, 1954 [2]

A man who dedicated both his professional and military career to the study of medicine, Dr. John Isadore Zarit was a leading specialist in the treatment of lung disease. Having served in both World Wars and achieved the rank of Major, Dr. Zarit was well suited for the many responsibilities that awaited him in civilian life. These included terms as President of the Colorado Medical Society and St. Anthony’s Hospital, as well as a seat on the Colorado Governors Commission on Aging. The Zarit family was also heavily involved with the burgeoning Zionist movement in the United States, as John’s wife Edith helped coordinate the relocation of Holocaust refugees through the Hadassah chapter in Denver. [3]

Early Life and Education

John Zarit was born on June 6th, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, to Meyer and Edith Zarit. The previous year, Meyer and Edith emigrated from their homeland of Russia to the United States, where the couple settled in Brooklyn, New York just as John was born. In the years following their arrival to America, the family name was shortened from “Zaritsky” to “Zarit,” Both native Yiddish speakers, John’s parents were unable to read or write in their first two decades of American citizenship. [4] However, after living and working in the United States for years, the couple became fluent in English by 1920. [5]

Meyer quickly found employment as a tailor, a trade he likely practiced in his homeland, and opened his own shop. While in Brooklyn, the Zarit’s had an additional three children: Katie, born 1904, Ceclia, born 1907, and finally Yetta in 1909. Both Meyer and Edith are buried together at Rose Hill Cemetery, a prominent Jewish burial ground in North Denver. [6]

The Zarit family relocated to Denver around 1915, the reasons for the move being unclear. Meyer Zarit found more opportunity as a self-employed tailor, continuing to support his family of five as Edith stayed home and watched the children. [7] John graduated from North High School in 1918, and attended the nearby University of Colorado, Boulder (CU Boulder), where he studied pre-med. While at CU Boulder, John was an active member of the Menorah Society, an on-campus Jewish organization. Throughout his life, John maintained a strong connection to his religion, with both him and his wife dedicating time and energy towards the Jewish faith. In 1919, John helped organize an “elaborate dance and party” as a fundraiser for the Society, which reportedly was “well-attended.” [8]

Military Service and Family Life

John was 17 when America entered the First World War, and thus waited to register for enlistment until the following year when he was of age. By this time, the war was almost over, and John likely never deployed to France, due to his status as a college student. As a future senior officer, his education proved more important in the long term to national security. After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1919 following the Treaty of Versailles, John moved back to Denver and continued his education at the University of Colorado. Zarit would earn his M.D. from Boulder in 1923, soon establishing a private practice of his own in 1926. [9]

As he slowly grew his new business, utilizing skills and knowledge gained in the military, John soon met Rose Cain, and the two got married in March of 1930. [10] Perhaps not so coincidently, Rose also came from a family of Russian and Jewish immigrants, with the Cain family settling in Iowa in the late 1890’s.

The newly formed Zarit family began renting a house on Grant Street in 1930, as John continued his private practice to support his wife and children. [11] The couple had their first child, Norlin Bryce Zarit, a year after their marriage, followed two years later in 1934 by their daughter, Mozelle Zarit. Both children attended East High School in Denver. Norlin ran on the track team, while Mozelle played in the concert band. [12]

The Second World War loomed large as John and Rose raised their young family during the interwar period. When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, John Zarit once again enlisted in the Army to serve his country as a doctor. [13] However, instead of being a mere teenager, Dr. Zarit was armed with two decades of knowledge and experience under his belt. John went on to serve in the North Africa campaign, and while specifics of his actions are unknown, it is more than likely that he oversaw or assisted in the administration of vital Army field hospitals. Following his discharge from the US Army at the rank of Major in July of 1945, John continued his dedication towards serving others, and quickly took up residency at St. Anthony's hospital in Denver. [14]

St. Anthony’s Hospital in 1940, photo courtesy of Denver Public Library. [15]

Over the course of his 40-year career practicing medicine in Colorado, Dr. Zarit was renowned throughout the medical community for his knowledge of tuberculosis treatment and hospital administration, or as The Jewish Transcript described in 1957, “Dr. Zarit is considered to be a guiding force in the reduction of Tuberculosis in Colorado and in the development of facilities for the care of other long-term illnesses.” [16] Following his discharge from the military, John served in several prestigious positions throughout Denver: Medical Director of the tuberculosis ward at Denver General, Medical Director of the Sands House, as well as president of both St. Anthony’s and Beth Israel hospitals. In addition, while holding those offices, Dr. Zarit consulted for the Colorado Department of Public Health and served as an advisor to the White House Commission on Aging. [17] John’s success in the medical field can be contributed to his tremendous work-ethic and dedication towards helping the public.

Despite the many high positions that he held throughout his career, John Zarit’s legacy is best preserved through the Annual Aspen Lung Conference, which he helped establish in 1958.[18] What started as a symposium of lung specialists and doctors has evolved into one of the largest gatherings on the subject, and "is made unique by its multidisciplinary format and international scope.”[19] John’s medical career is also significant for the visionary ideas that he proposed and lobbied for regarding treatment of lung patients in nursing homes. In a speech given the same year as the First Annual Aspen Lung Conference, Dr. Zarit addressed the Colorado Nursing Home Society, and stressed the importance of “first class nursing homes to alleviate the patient loads of hospitals throughout Colorado.”[20] In the 60 years since he made these remarks, the message is just as important given the current climate of COVID-19.

John Zarit displayed his ability to push the boundaries of the medical profession again during his time as President of the Colorado Medical Society. In 1959, Dr. Zarit and the President of the Colorado Bar Society published a paper that detailed the need for a stronger integration between the medical and law fields. The two presidents of their respective societies pitched the idea of an inter-professional code to be adhered by both doctors and lawyers, which stressed that, “a recognition that each profession can serve best through an enlightened and tolerant understanding of the other”. [21] Nothing of this sort had been proposed prior to 1959, making John’s contribution even more significant for its revolutionary scope regarding patient treatment.

Helping others was a quality that ran in the Zarit family, evidenced not only by John and his wife, but also by their children. Most notable was Mozelle Zarit’s time as a hospital worker and nurse in Panama. [22] Like her father, Mozelle attended CU Boulder, and was working in the medical field when she volunteered to help the people of Panama by spreading awareness of hygiene and other medical practices. Even with her efforts, she remembered the feelings of hostility that she felt while in Panama City, “A small country, any country doesn’t forget. These people don’t forget.” What Mozelle is referencing and the reason for the hostility was the tensions between the Panamanian people and the United States. This tension had been brewing for decades, starting in 1903 with the signing of the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, allowing American control of the land around the Panama Canal. [23]

Years of anger and resentment of US domination culminated in student riots in January of 1964, the same time that Mozelle was living in a town called David. Recalling her experiences to the Denver Post, she and fellow American nurses sought the safety of her friend's house and were relocated to Colombia for the week. The riots reflected the broader dynamics of the uneven relationship between Panama and the United States, as Panamanian students rebelled against the Americans or “Zonians” that had greater privileges than them. This resulted in the destruction of American businesses in the Canal Zone, as well as fights in-between both American and Panamanian students.

While her husband John served the country through his medical knowledge and expertise, Edith Cain Zarit worked diligently with the Denver Chapter of Hadassah to help Jewish refugees of the Holocaust. Even prior the outbreak to World War Two, the Hadassah Organization funded the education and relocation of Jewish children and other refugees. These funds were partially raised by the efforts of Jewish women such as Edith, who hosted prominent luncheons and other fundraisers. [24] Due to Hadassah’s ongoing contributions, over 1700 refugees relocated to the soon-to-be Israel, helping form the basis of the Jewish state. In addition to this, Edith’s fundraisers also contributed to the construction of the Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus, just outside of Jerusalem, which is still in use today.

Like his father before him, Bryce Zarit attended the University of Colorado, then joined the US Army, going on to serve as a captain in the Vietnam War. He passed away in 1995 and is buried alongside his father Major Zarit at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

By the end of his nearly 40-year long career in medicine, Dr. Zarit was an influential and well-respected figure in the Colorado medical community. Throughout his life, John always took the initiative and leadership roles, setting a strong example to those around him. On December 16, 1970, Doctor John Isadore Zarit passed away peacefully at St. Anothony’s Hospital, the very same place he administrated for years. [25] After the passing of her husband, Rose Zarit eventually relocated to California where Mozelle resided, outliving her husband and nearly her son. [26] Whether it was in the hospital or in a luncheon raising funds for Jewish refugees, the Zarit family is unique in their dedication towards the public good.

Footnotes ↓

[1] “Introduction, The American Thoracic Society,” ATS Journals, accessed July 27 2021, https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/pats.200603-027MS.

[2] “Denver Post Archives” Getty Images, accessed July 27, 2021, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/to-r-dr-david-r-l-duncan-dr-john-zarit-dr-roy-l-cleere-news-photo/837195020.

[3] “Hadassah Luncheon Will Feature Talk on Jewish Refugee Children,” Denver Post, February 18, 1940, accessed July 20, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=john%20isadore%20zarit%20denver&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-177033F734B74CA6%402429678-176F0D394B7308A0%4022-176F0D394B7308A0%40.

[4] “1910 United States Federal Census,” ancestry.com, entry for Meyer Zarit, accessed July 20, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/17867985:7884.

[5] “1920 United States Federal Census,” ancestry.com, entry for Meyer Zarit, accessed July 20, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/62495331:6061.

[6] “Jewish Gen Online Worldwide National Burial Register,” ancestry.com, entry for Edith Zarit, accessed July 20, 2021, https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=1411&h=334132&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=2469.

[7] 1920 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, entry for Meyer Zarit, accessed July 21, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/62495331:6061.

[8] “Menorah Society of State University Gives Elaborate Dance,” The Denver Jewish News, March 26, 1919, accessed July 26, 2021, https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/667178841/?terms=john%20isadore%20zarit%20denver&pqsid=mLXnjVEvbiuuW9FqSk6ARg%3A33000%3A714939979&match=1.

[9] “Obituaries- John I. Zarit,” Denver Post, December 17, 1970, accessed July 26, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=rose%20zarit%20denver&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX.

[10] “Colorado, County Marriage Records and State Index, (1862-2006),” ancestry.com, entry for John I Zarit, accessed July 21, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/453705:61366.

[11] 1930 United States Federal Census, ancestry.com, entry for John I. Zarit, accessed July 22, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/101470847:6224.

[12] ”US Yearbook, 1900-1999," ancestry.com, entry for Mozell Zarit, accessed July 27, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/380573913:1265.

[13] WW2 Draft Cards for Young Men, 1940-1947, ancestry.com, entry for John I. Zarit, accessed July 28, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/5228080:2238^^.

[14] “US Army Registrars, 1798-1969," fold3.com, entry for John I. Zarit, accessed July 28, 2021, https://www.fold3.com/image/312832671?rec=307266186&terms=zarit,john.

[15] “Saint Anthony's Hospital, Denver,” Denver Public Library, November 28, 1940, https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/id/63195/.

[16] “Dr. John Zarit, brother of Mrs. Sam Kline of Seattle, Recipient of Two Honors,” The Jewish Transcript, December 23, 1957, accessed July 28, 2021, http://jtn.stparchive.com/Archive/JTN/JTN12231957p04.php.

[17] “Obituaries- John I. Zarit,” Denver Post, December 17, 1970, accessed July 26, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=rose%20zarit%20denver&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX.

[18] “Introduction, The American Thoracic Society,” ATS Journals, accessed July 27, 2021, https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/pats.200603-027MS.

[19] “How the Conference Started,” CU Boulder Anschutz Medical Campus, accessed July 27 2021, https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/aspen/history.

[20] “Nursing Home Head Reelected,” Denver Post, November 7, 1958, accessed July 27, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=john%20isadore%20zarit%20denver&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-166A283A59970162%402436515-16694BCB6BD31E8C%4039-16694BCB6BD31E8C%40.

[21]“Foreword- The Prevailing Rule and its Expectations,” Denver Law Review, July-August 1959, accessed July 28, 2021, https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4224&context=dlr.

[22] “Peace Corps Worker Remembers Hostility,” Denver Post, January 20, 1965, accessed July 22, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=rose%20zarit%20denver%20&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-16705416A1DB69D1%402438781-167050688FEF438C%4034-167050688FEF438C%40.

[23] “The Panama Riots of 1964: The Beginning of the End for the Canal,” Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, accessed July 19. 2016, https://adst.org/2016/07/panama-riots-1964-beginning-end-canal/.

[24] “Hadassah Luncheon Raises Funds for Jewish Refugees,” Denver Post, 1938, accessed July 28, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=john%20isadore%20zarit%20denver&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX-1738B84385AFE71B%402428978-17376865E4A944B2%4028-17376865E4A944B2%40.

[25] “Obituaries- John I. Zarit,” Denver Post, December 17, 1970, accessed July 26, 2021, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.du.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=_rank_%3AD&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=rose%20zarit%20denver&fld-base-0=alltext&docref=image/v2%3A12C7581AC4BD0728%40WHNPX.

[26] “California, US Death Index, 1940-1997," ancestry.com, entry for Rose Cain Zarit, accessed July 28, 2021, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/8162829:5180.