Morocco RPCV Jim Bernstein dies in North Carolina



Morocco RPCV Jim Bernstein dies in North Carolina

Obituaries -- James Bernstein

The News and Observer
Raleigh, N.C.
June 16, 2005

CHAPEL HILL - Jim Bernstein, 62, died Sunday, June 12, at home surrounded by family. The son of Jacqueline and Robert Bernstein, Jim was born October 21, 1942 in New York, NY, After graduating from The Johns Hopkins University, Jim left the US for a two year Peace Corps experience in Morocco, where he met and married his wife and life partner, Susan Dill. Jim went on to receive a Master's Degree from the University of Michigan in Hospital Administration.

At 26, Jim became the director of the Indian Health Services for northern New Mexico. In 1970, he was awarded a three-year fellowship in the US Public Health Service and moved to North Carolina to study at UNC. Jim concentrated on rural health, and this focus became a passion that sustained him for the next 35 years.

Still in his 20's, Jim was chosen as Director of the first office of rural health in the US. The North Carolina Office of Rural Health Office works to improve health care delivery to people in rural areas throughout the state. Under his 30 year leadership, 81 community-owned rural health centers were created and more than 1,800 primary health care providers were recruited to North Carolina. The North Carolina Office of Rural Health has served as a model for the country. Most recently, Jim served as Assistant Secretary for Health overseeing North Carolina Departments of Facility Services, Medical Assistance, Mental Health, Minority Health, Public Health, and Rural Health.

Jim loved life's challenges and took them on with great gusto. He was an avid skier, tennis player, golfer, and world traveler. He had a passion for art, good food, the latest gadget, and adventure. He made life exciting for those around him, particularly his family, upon whom he showered his greatest love and devotion.

Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan Bernstein; his daughter, Lori Allen, her husband, Richard Allen and their daughter, Emilia Allen; his son, Eric Bernstein; his daughter, Donna Bernstein; his sister, Ann Holz, her husband, Ron Holz and their two children, Bob and Jon Holz; his sister, Jane Bernstein; his brother, David Bernstein, his wife, Monica Bernstein and their two children, Sally and Sam Bernstein; many friends who are as close as family; and finally his irreverent blue and gold macaw, Murray.

A memorial service will be held July 17th from 2-4 p.m. at the Carolina Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to "The NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs, Inc.", Attention: Jim Bernstein Community Health Leadership Fund, PO Box 10245, Raleigh, NC 27605.

For further information call the N.C. Office of Research Demonstrations and Rural Health Development at 733-2040.

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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American Taboo: A Peace Corps Tragedy Returned Volunteers met with author Philip Weiss in Baltimore on June 18 to discuss the murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner. Weiss was a member of a panel that included three psychiatrists and a criminal attorney. Meanwhile, the Seattle U.S. Attorney's office announced that Dennis Priven cannot be retried for the murder. "We do not believe this case can be prosecuted by anyone, not only us, but in any other jurisdiction in the United States." Read background on the case here.

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June 16, 2005: Special Events Philip Weiss, PCV murder writer, speaks in Baltimore June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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June 14: Peace Corps suspends Haiti program After Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service.

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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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June 6, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Kinky Friedman will "sign anything except bad legislation" 6 Jun Niels Marquardt Makes Chimpanzee Protection a Priority 6 Jun Laurence Leamer needs approval for "Today" appearance 6 Jun Desperate Housewives' Ricardo Chavira is son of RPCVs 6 Jun Anthony Sandberg runs Berkeley sailing school 5 Jun Amy Smith field-tests sugarcane charcoal 5 Jun Mary Johnson organizes workshop on genocide 3 Jun Jonathan Lash in 100 most Influential Business Leaders 3 Jun Hastert jump-starts Chris Shays' Campaign 3 Jun John Coyne says 41 RPCVs applied for scholarships 3 Jun James Rupert writes on bombing in Kandahar mosque 1 Jun John McCain says to expand opportunities for service 1 Jun Jay Rockefeller's relationships with Japanese go way back 1 Jun Anat Shenker met her husband during service in Honduras 31 May Ryan Clancy punished without hearing for visiting Iraq 30 May Melissa Mosvick remembered as a fallen American hero 29 May Kurt Carlson played basketball against Togo's national team 29 May Helen Thomas's favorite president remains JFK 24 May

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