Bernard Greenberg, PhD

Founding chair of the biostatistics department, 1949 – 1972
Dean of the School, 1972 – 1982

The national impact and global reach of Bernard Greenberg’s work was profound. He:

RECEIVED a number of training grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allowing him to travel abroad to train students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty.
PUBLISHED the first article (1959, in The American Statistician) on the design and conduct of clinical trials.
TESTIFIED before Congress that the polio vaccine actually increased incidents of polio. Misuse of statistical methods had made the opposite seem true.
CHAIRED a national committee directed to formulate a process for large, multi-center clinical studies. The resultant “Greenberg Report” is a landmark policy document.

Greenberg’s accomplishments as dean:

MADE the school more academically rigorous and improved its reputation for research and teaching
REENERGIZED alumni, especially through the alumni letter, Body Politic
CREATED the Division of Community Health Service (including off-campus and bachelor’s programs, and the Area Health Education Centers) to help the School better respond to needs of N.C. citizens and health professionals
SOUGHT diversity and provided leadership opportunities for minority students