National Hospital Week at Duke
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VOLUME 16, NUMBER 5 MAY, 1969 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
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"I have selected hospitals as another of the principal objects of this trust because I recognize that
they have become indispensable institutions, not only by way of ministering to the sick but in increasing the
efficiency of mankind and prolonging human life.
"The advance in the science of medicine growing out of discoveries, such as in the field of bacteriol
ogy, chemistry and physics, and growing out of inventions such as the X-ray apparatus, make hospital facilities
essential for obtaining the best results in the practice of medicine and surgery.
"So worthy do I deem the cause and so great do I deem the need that I very much hope that the
people will see to it that adequate and convenient hospitals are assured in the respective communities, with
especial reference to those who are unable to defray such expenses of their own."
(From The Indenture of James B. Duke establishing The Duke Enctovvment, December 11, 1924.)
Mr. Duke's pledge to hospital care noted above is expressed through financial aid from the Duke Endowment to all 194 accredited hospitals
in North and South Carolina. Endowment donations to each hospital are used to help defray expenses of patients who are not able to pay hospital
costs either themselves or through third-r>arty sponsoring agencies.