Challenges, research, informed caution and courage conspire to produce a stunning list of medical "firsts" at The Beth. It is impossible to rank these developments in order of importance because in each case, patients who would have otherwise perished are restored to healthy, productive lives.

Major vascular surgery was heretofore unthinkable. However, because of the pioneering efforts undertaken at The Beth, transplants, bypass surgery and the implantation of pacemakers become routinely performed at hospitals throughout the world.

In the early 1960s, Oscar Auerbach, M.D., the noted pathologist, is one of the first physicians in the world to repeatedly demonstrate the relationship between cancer and smoking. William Ehrlich, M.D., is the first certified neurosurgeon in New Jersey. Lester Goldman, M.D., along with Gabriel Yelin, M.D., develops a breakthrough treatment for pernicious anemia. In 1961, Victor Parsonnet, M.D., implants the first cardiac pacemaker in New Jersey, the third such in the United States, making an entire constellation of disabilities suddenly addressable with minimal invasive trauma. In 1964, Dr. Parsonnet also initiates the state's first major cardiac bypass program.

Diagnosis and treatment of other heart disorders become possible when The Beth shows the world how to perform cardiac catheterization. There are equally important advancements in pulmonary surgery,  biomedical engineering, instrumentation, imaging, as well as heart, lung and bone marrow transplants with collateral supportive therapy.  In short, The Beth becomes a place for leading-edge medical solutions.

Circa1955

Internationally Acclaimed Actor/Comedian Jerry Lewis Resides In Newark
Actor/comedian Jerry Lewis (shown in photo) resides on Lehigh Avenue near Elizabeth Avenue. For decades, former classmates recall his oddball antics at Irvington High. He later stars in over 50 feature films, becoming the number one box office attraction in the world, along with his singing and acting sidekick Dean Martin. After his partnership with Martin ends, Lewis goes on to produce, direct and star in such comedy classics as The Nutty Professor and Bellboy. His annual Labor Day fund-raising telethon continues to raise millions of dollars each year for muscular dystrophy research, and he receives  hundreds of honors for his humanitarian efforts worldwide.

1955
Premature Newborns Treated At Newark Beth Israel Hospital
Nurses care for two premature newborns (shown in photo) in the state's most technologically advanced facility.

Future Golden State Warrior Standout Graduates In Newark Alvin Attles (shown in photo) graduates from Weequahic High in 1955. He later receives a scholarship from North Carolina A&T University, plays four years of varsity basketball and is drafted into the professional ranks in 1960 by the Philadelphia Warriors.
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Attles becomes coach of the Golden State Warriors and works for decades with young aspiring inner-city athletes throughout Newark.

Circa1956
Dr. Goldman Raises $1 Million For The Beth
In the 1950s, Lester Goldman, M.D. (shown in photo)  personally raises over $1 million from speaking engagements to help build The Beth's state-of-the-art medical research laboratory.

Circa1956
New Jersey Poet Allen Ginsberg Becomes A Major Literary Figure
Allen Ginsberg (shown in illustration), the well-known poet, was born in Newark in 1926 and is raised in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a major literary figure of the "beat" generation in the '50s and '60s. Perhaps his most famous poem is "Howl."

1957
The Beth Honors Abraham Lichtman
Abraham Lichtman (shown in 1937 photo) is named as the year's special honoree at The Beth's annual dinner dance gala.

The Beth's Auxiliary Blood Bank Is Dedicated
A five-story state-of-the-art laboratory, dedicated to clinical and applied research is constructed, and the Auxiliary Blood Bank is officially dedicated at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

Dr. Irving Applebaum Lectures At Beth Israel Hospital A class of "interns" listens carefully to Irving Applebaum, M.D., (shown in photo) Director of Medical Education at The Beth.
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Newark's Jack Warden Is A Big Screen Star
Prominent screen actor Jack Warden (shown in 1957 photo) grows up in the Weequahic area of Newark and attends Weequahic High. He stars in over 70 feature films, including award-winning motion pictures such as All The President's Men, The Presidio and The Verdict.

1958 State's First Successful Dialysis Conducted At The Beth Gerald Weiss, Ph.D., (photo left) and Seymour Ribot, M.D., (photo right) perform the first successful renal dialysis procedure in the State of New Jersey.
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The Beth's First Heart Surgery
The Beth performs its first closed-heart surgical procedure. It is among the first such procedures in the region and the nation, and receives a great deal of press worldwide.

State's Largest Dental Clinic Expands At The Hospital
The nationally renowned Michael Hollander Dental Clinic is renovated and expanded. The clinic is not only the largest in the state, but one of the largest in the country, affording the widest range of specialized services to those in need.

Nurses Meet With Students In The Tea Room
Nurses and nursing students (shown in photo) meet regularly between classes in The Beth's Tea Room for a break and camaraderie.

Circa1960
Our First African-American In The American League
Larry Doby, "The Silk Slugger" (shown in photo), born in Paterson, New Jersey lives in nearby Montclair, New Jersey. He is the first African-American allowed in the American League and is shown here as a Detroit Tiger in the '60s. Doby's career highlights also include playing second base for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League and becoming an all-star in the 1946 Negro League World Series Championship. In 1997, he is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1960
Our First African-American Medical Resident
Asa H. Crews, Jr., M.D., (shown in photo) becomes the hospital's first African-American medical resident.

Arlene Gibson Is Featured In Latest Issue Of The Bethian
Beth nurse Arlene Gibson (shown in photo) is featured in The Bethian, the School of Nursing yearbook. The caption reads, "What a pleasure to share the first few days of life with the new arrivals in the newborn nursery."

Newark's Burton Shrevelove Produces Bye Bye Birdie
Newark resident, Burton Shrevelove produces popular award-winning musicals such as Bye Bye Birdie and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Circa1962

State's First Major Vascular Surgery Is Performed At The Beth
Medicine continues to be changed forever as the state's first major vascular and thoracic aneurysm surgery is performed at Newark Beth Israel Hospital.

Our Last Class Of LPNs
The last class of LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) at the School of Nursing graduates in 1962. The last nursing class for RNs (Registered Nurses) graduates in1970, but a new era of nurse training begins.

Carole Beck Is Featured In The Bethian
Nurse Carole Goldblatt Beck (shown in photo) is  featured in The Bethian, the School of Nursing  yearbook. The caption next to her photo reads, "Watchful eyes and mending hands."

1962
Newark's Legendary Jazz Pianist Dies
The legendary "Stride" pianist Donald "The Lamb" Lambert (shown in photo) passes away in Newark. Even though he is a much celebrated recording artist and piano playing icon, he spends most of his career performing in small clubs in and around the Newark area.

Future Grammy Winner Whitney Houston Is Born
Award-winning singer, actress and entertainment industry superstar Whitney Houston (shown in photo) is born in Newark. Some of her number one songs include "Saving All My Love for You," "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You." Her first feature film, The Bodyguard is a box office hit. 

1964

Dr. Harold Lett's Story Is Published
The illustrious life story of Harold A. Lett, M.D. (shown in photo) is published in 1964. It reviews his tireless effort to join people together for a common good. Dr. Lett is head of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He also leads the Newark Housing Authority from 1938 to 1942.

1966

Newark's First African-American Mayor Is Elected
Kenneth Gibson (shown in photo) is the first African-American to seek the office of Mayor in Newark, even though he is initially defeated by incumbent Mayor Hugh J. Addonizio. However, the 34-year-old chief engineer for the Newark Housing Authority is elected four years later. Mayor Gibson wins his first re-election bid in 1974, and an unprecedented third term in 1978. In 1982, he faces his  greatest challenge from Council President Earl Harris, yet he is again victorious. Mayor Gibson becomes the first four-term mayor since Newark changed its form of government from a commission to a mayor/council system. In 1986, he is eventually defeated by South Ward Councilman Sharpe James.