Renowned Santa Cruz Physician Helen Nunberg Passes Away at 71

Dr. Helen Nunberg, a respected physician in Santa Cruz, California, passed away at the age of 71 after a brief illness related to pancreatic cancer. Known for her unwavering commitment to her patients and the community, Dr. Nunberg’s legacy extends beyond her medical practice, touching the lives of many through her compassion and dedication.

Born in 1953, Helen was raised in a community of Yiddish-speaking survivors of the Holocaust in New York City. She inherited her parents’ values of universalism and justice, which guided her throughout her life. An early interest in literature led her to attend Bennington College in Vermont, where she studied before taking a gap year to bicycle through Europe. Ultimately, her drive to help others steered her towards a career in medicine.

Helen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Rochester and her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. After completing her commitment to the National Health Service Corps in Puerto Rico, where she worked in underserved health clinics, she settled in Santa Cruz in the early 1980s. There, she provided primary care at various health centers, including the Westside Community Health Center and the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center.

In her later years, Dr. Nunberg focused on mental health, completing a residency in psychiatry at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. She practiced psychiatry until her retirement in 2019, where she continued to receive heartfelt appreciation from her patients. One patient noted, “Dr. Nunberg takes interest in me as a whole person and listens intently without judging. I feel fortunate to have her as my doctor.”

Dr. Nunberg was also active in research and education. After the California Medical Marijuana Program Act was enacted in 2003, she began evaluating patients for medical marijuana recommendations. Her research in this area contributed significantly to the understanding of patient experiences and has been cited in subsequent studies.

Additionally, she shared her knowledge through guest lectures, covering topics such as the U.S. healthcare system and substance use disorders. Her passion for teaching and advocacy helped illuminate complex issues within the medical community.

Helen is survived by her husband, Scott Bongiorno, and their children, Yuri and Leah, along with their spouses, Nell and Dairien. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Neavie, Sarai, and Ami, and close friends who cherished her wisdom and generosity.

Her family has announced that donations in her memory can be made to America SCORES Bay Area, a program that her son helped develop. For those wishing to remember her, a Celebration of Life is being organized, with details available through the family.

Dr. Nunberg’s profound impact on her patients and the community is remembered fondly, and her joyful spirit will be greatly missed. Her dedication to medicine and her commitment to improving the lives of others exemplified her belief in a better world.