Dr. David Greenberg

Dave was born on November 6, 1952, in San Francisco, CA to Richard and Hannah Greenberg, and was the eldest of three sons. Dave is survived by his wife of 22 years, Jayne McElfresh, brother Donald (Cheri), son Jesse (Olga), daughter Genevieve (Joseph), grandchildren Rhys, Evan, Eli and Eva, sisters-in-law Ellen Weiss and Robin Sandenburgh, brother-in-law James McElfresh (Jeanese), nieces and nephew Jamie, Liza, Vivi, Kelle, Ary, Alex, and JJ. He was predeceased by his younger brother Jonathan. Among the many cherished longtime friends Dave leaves behind are Dr. Michel Sucher (fellow traveler and business partner), Daniel Royer (companion motorcyclist adventurer), Doug Melby (inventor partner), and treasured lifetime friends since high school, Allan Owen, and Mark Kitchell.

Dave was an insatiable history buff, and an avid motorcyclist who loved the outdoors and traveled to countless off-the-grid locales. A man of innumerable talents, imaginative ideas, and entrepreneurial skills, Dave wrote screenplays, invented medical devices, authored medical articles, and shared his infinite medical knowledge with any listening ear.

Dave earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from UC Berkeley in 1975. He graduated from UC Davis School of Medicine in 1979 with a Doctorate Degree. Dave served as a Captain in the United States Army from 1979 through 1984 and in the United States Army Reserve in 1991. He received his Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1999. Dave was certified in addiction medicine by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and board certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Throughout his career in addiction medicine, Dave served as a strong advocate for physicians suffering from substance use disorders. He is credited for creating Arizona’s Physician Health Program, which he led by virtue of his more than 25-year relationship with the Arizona Medical Board. Dave assessed, referred to treatment, and monitored at least 1,000 physicians in Arizona between 1992 and 2018, when he retired from the practice of medicine. Through his dedication and compassion, Dave connected numerous physicians with the treatment they needed, enabling them to continue their practice of medicine. As such, he was honored with the Arizona Medical Association’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award.

The family thanks Gina Griffin for her friendship, kindness, and support for Dave throughout his illness, the tenderhearted personnel at the Cottages at Peoria, and Hospice of the Valley for their compassion and care of Dave.

A private graveside service will be held at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery.