St. Luke's in the Desert

When an ill stranger staggered out into the desert to die alone after he had been turned away from an Arizona door some 30-odd years ago, he initiated a series of events which eventually led to the founding of an institution now busily seeing to it that the same thing will not happen again.

Established thirty years ago by an Episcopal Bishop, non-sectarian St. Luke's in the Desert at Tucson is a hospital for the correction of pulmonary disorders in men of moderate means. Since its dedication in February of 1917 it has not been known to turn away a single man because of race, religion or lack of money. Semi-charitable,

St. Luke's manages to give the finest care to its patients, most of whom pay twelve dollars a week. Roughly, this is about half of what it costs to maintain a patient. The balance is made up through such activities as balls the annual Baile de las Flores is one of Tucson's outstanding events and silver teas and private donations, plus the interest from an endowment fund which has been accumulated over the years.

With the advantages of Arizona's perpetual warmth and modern medical care, the average length of hospitalization is a year. Cures are the rule, and out of all proportion to the astonishingly small number of failures.

of the Desert . . . . . . . STORY BY CLIFTON ABBOTT

With the exception of minor surgical assistance, the treat ment consists of rest, quiet, a regulated diet, fresh air and a pleasant atmosphere. After a brief period of indoctrination most patients fill their spare time and augment their income by engaging in some sort of occupational therapy such as leather and needlework. Many patients, with months of lying in bed before them, have been able to school themselves for a new profession. One man read books on speech and diction, wrote radio scripts and practiced on his fellow patients. Today he is a successful radio announcer. Another made an analysis of merchandising methods and now has an enviable mail order

business. Still another studied St. Luke's itself and the technique of operating a hospital. He is now its Superintendent. All of them do much toward continuing St. Luke's program of helping people to help themselves. Extending from both sides of the central lobby and offices, the building is composed of two wings opening on Arizona's southern sky and affording a maximum of sunshine and fresh air. Steam heated dressing and bathing rooms are located along the rear of these large, sunny porches. At either end of the wings are private rooms. Above the central portion of the building are living quarters for the nurses and other staff employees. Connectedto the east wing by a cloister is a chapel open at all hours for the patients' private devotions and in which are held informal services three days each week. Here also is a spacious recreation room and library for the use of patients "on exercise"—those who have progressed far enough to be occasionally up and around.

It would be difficult at any time to find a more diverse group than the patients at St. Luke's. Of all ages and walks of life, a Chinese student may be found undergoing the treatment alongside an American doctor. For the most part, the patients are as congenial as they are varied. The close association and ordered routine of hospital life breeds a fellowship all its own and visitors quickly sense the intimate good-feeling that runs from bed to bed. The making of lifelong friendships is a routine occurrence.

The Board of Visitors, composed of Tucson women, takes care of all the incidental wants of the men at St. Luke's as well as entertaining them during recreational periods and on holidays. In addition to the large part they play in the actual financial supporting of the institution, they visit and chat with the patients, bring books, read, run errands and in general do all they can to give St. Luke's a homelike air many hospitals do not have. One of the men, cured and leaving, said recently, "It's all been enjoyable and so much like home I'm almost sorry I'm leaving."

No one, actually, owns St. Luke's. Under the general supervision of the Episcopal Bishop of Arizona and the administration of its Board of Directors, St. Luke's is something more than just a hospital or an institution. It is an idea. It is an idea that lives and grows and is daily helpful. It is an idea that there is no real reason human ills can't be alleviated. It is a demonstration of the fact that when real people get together and all do a little they can do a great work in helping those less fortunate. St. Luke's is a practical application of Arizona's hospitality.

Patients, most of whom pay twelve dollars a week, spend about a year at St. Luke's. The atmosphere is both restful and friendly

The people of Tucson give both time and money to the place, making it homelike and as pleasant as possible for the patients.