Helen Nunberg, a respected physician from Santa Cruz, California, passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 71 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Known for her dedication to her patients and her compassionate approach, Nunberg leaves behind her husband, Scott Bongiorno, their children, Yuri and Leah, and grandchildren Neavie, Sarai, and Ami.
Her life was characterized by a commitment to serving others, a principle she inherited from her upbringing in a community of Yiddish-speaking survivors of the Holocaust in New York City. Raised in a Socialist environment, Nunberg championed universalism and justice throughout her life, seeking to make a positive impact on the world around her.
Education and Early Career
Nunberg graduated from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science before pursuing her studies in literature at Bennington College in Vermont. After a gap year of bicycling through Europe, she shifted her focus to the sciences, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Rochester and subsequently her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Her commitment to public service led her to fulfill a scholarship obligation with the National Health Service Corps by working in underserved health clinics in Puerto Rico. In the early 1980s, she and her family settled in Santa Cruz, where she quickly became a vital part of the local healthcare community.
Nunberg provided primary care at several health centers, including the Westside Community Health Center and the Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center. Her work in these formative years helped shape the healthcare landscape in Santa Cruz.
Contributions to Medicine and Public Health
In 2003, following the enactment of the California Medical Marijuana Program Act, Nunberg began evaluating patients for medical marijuana recommendations. Recognizing a gap in knowledge regarding this patient population, she conducted research that resulted in published papers still referenced by contemporary studies.
Her dedication to education extended beyond her practice. She guest lectured on various topics, including “How to Do Medical Research on the Internet” and “Substance Use Disorder,” sharing her expertise with both medical professionals and university students.
At the age of 56, Nunberg pursued further training in psychiatry at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Upon her return to Santa Cruz, she provided psychiatric care until her retirement in 2019. Throughout her career in both family practice and psychiatry, she earned accolades from patients who appreciated her intelligence, warmth, and ability to treat them as whole individuals.
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.”
A Lasting Legacy
Nunberg’s influence extended beyond medicine. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother, taking joy in the accomplishments of her children and their families. Friends and family will remember her for her joyful smile, insightful conversations, and unwavering commitment to justice and fairness.
In her memory, donations can be made to America SCORES Bay Area, an organization that supports youth development, where both of Nunberg’s children have been involved. Her family invites those who knew her to join in a Celebration of Life, with details available through email at [email protected].
Helen Nunberg’s legacy as a compassionate physician and devoted family member will continue to resonate within the Santa Cruz community and beyond. Her laughter, wisdom, and kindness will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
