Community Mourns the Passing of Esteemed Santa Cruz Physician

Dr. Helen Nunberg, a highly respected physician from Santa Cruz, California, passed away at the age of 71 after a brief illness caused by pancreatic cancer. Known for her courage and sense of humor, she inspired many throughout her life and career. She is survived by her husband, Scott Bongiorno, her children, Yuri and Leah, their spouses Nell and Dairien, and her grandchildren Neavie, Sarai, and Ami.

Born in 1953 to survivors of the Holocaust in New York City, Helen grew up in a Socialist household that emphasized universalism and justice. Her upbringing shaped her commitment to making the world a better place. She attended the Bronx High School of Science and later studied literature at Bennington College before taking a gap year to bicycle through Europe. Her desire to help others led her to pursue a career in medicine.

Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the University of Rochester and obtained her MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Following her studies, she fulfilled her National Health Service Corps scholarship by working in underserved clinics in Puerto Rico. In the early 1980s, she settled in Santa Cruz, where she became a vital part of the local medical community.

Throughout her career, she provided primary care at several health centers, including the Westside Community Health Center and the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center. Helen also worked alongside Dr. Arnold Leff, a pioneer in HIV care, during a transformative period in healthcare management. At the age of 50, she completed a Master’s in Public Health at UC Berkeley, focusing on healthcare policy.

In 2003, the advent of the California Medical Marijuana Program Act opened new opportunities for Helen. She began evaluating patients for medical marijuana recommendations and conducted research that contributed to the understanding of this evolving field. Her publications on patient experiences remain influential in ongoing studies today.

Helen was passionate about education and frequently guest lectured on various topics, including medical research and substance use disorder. She completed her residency in psychiatry at Dartmouth College and continued to provide psychiatric care until her retirement in 2019.

Her patients often expressed deep gratitude for her compassionate care. One patient noted, “Dr. Nunberg takes interest in me as a whole person and listens intently without judging. I feel fortunate to have Dr. Nunberg as my doctor and I adore her as a person.”

Helen was deeply proud of her family, celebrating their achievements and nurturing their talents. She enjoyed engaging conversations, organizing her surroundings, and finding joy in simple moments, like calming a crying infant or tending to her garden. Friends and family will remember her for her joyful smile, keen intellect, and unwavering kindness.

A memorial service is planned to honor Helen’s life and contributions to her community. Family and friends invite those who knew her to join in a Celebration of Life. Donations in her memory can be made to America SCORES Bay Area, a program that her children, Yuri and Leah, supported and helped develop. More information can be found at www.americascoresbayarea.org/donate.

Helen Nunberg will be remembered as a remarkable individual whose impact on her patients and community will endure. Her legacy of compassion, wisdom, and commitment to justice will continue to inspire those who knew her.