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Friedman

Dr. William F. Friedman, former executive chairman of the pediatrics department and senior associate dean for academic affairs at the David Geffen School of Medicine, died on Aug. 25 in his home. He was 69.

Friedman came to UCLA in 1979 after spending most of the 1970s at Johns Hopkins University, where he edited the first modern edition of the Harriet Lane Handbook, a standard resource still used by medical students and pediatric residents across the globe.

He worked at UCLA for 26 years of his over 40-year career, where he was a pediatric cardiologist.

“Bill Friedman was just larger than life,” said Dr. Thomas Klitzner, a professor in the department of pediatric cardiology.

Dr. Gerald S. Levey, vice chancellor of UCLA Medical Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine at UCLA, said what was most special about Friedman was that he was full of life.

“For everyone who knew him, it is very hard for us to think of him as gone,” Levey said.

Friedman never violated the trust of another colleague and even served as a confidant to faculty during his time at UCLA, Levey said.

One of Friedman’s qualities was his wonderful sense of humor, said Dr. E. Richard Stiehm, a professor of pediatrics and former vice-chair of academic affairs for the UCLA Department of Pediatrics.

Stiehm said Friedman was the type of person who would call his friends just to tell them a good joke he heard.

“He was a typical New Yorker. He was loud and outspoken and opinionated ... (and) very smart,” Stiehm said.

Outside of the workplace at UCLA, Friedman was also an avid sports fan, said Dr. Stephen Feig, a professor of pediatrics in the division of hematology and oncology.

“I can’t recall a (UCLA) basketball game he missed,” Feig said.

Klitzner said Friedman played basketball for Columbia and was a proud supporter of UCLA teams.

“It was like he was coaching the team from the second row of the stands,” Klitzner said.

Over his career, Friedman’s research led to one of the most important therapeutic advances for the care of thousands of premature babies born each year in the United States.

In 1972, he demonstrated that medical therapy could prevent the need for cardiac surgery to correct patent ductus arteriosus, a common heart defect in which a large blood vessel remains open abnormally after birth.

“Dr. Friedman not only was a pioneer who introduced modern technologies into his field of pediatric cardiology, but he also set the course for the Department of Pediatrics that would allow us to become one of the top academic pediatric programs internationally,” said Dr. Edward R.B. McCabe, current executive chairman of the pediatrics department.

Dedicated to his work in pediatrics, Friedman was a good-hearted person who worked very hard, McCabe said.

“He was one of the giants in pediatric cardiology,” Stiehm said.

Before coming to UCLA, Friedman was the very first pediatrician hired at the then-newly founded School of Medicine at UC San Diego, where he was the chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and professor of pediatrics.

Friedman was also awarded by several organizations for his performance in cardiology research, and was appointed by former California Gov. Pete Wilson in 1994 to the California Medical Board, as well as to the Air Quality Board in 1997.

Friedman worked to support several health organizations during his career, including the Society for Pediatric Research, American Board of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association.

He also served on the editorial board of all the leading cardiology journals, as well as editor of Pediatric Research and associate editor of Pediatric Annals.

Friedman was also well-versed in the appointments and promotion process for UCLA medical school faculty, Levey said.

“(He also contributed through) his commitment to integrity and excellence, and his wisdom in resolving complex procedural issues,” Levey said.

“He knew all of the intricacies of the (University of California) system,” he added.

Friedman was a man distinguished for his leadership, loyalty and support of the medical center, Feig said.

Friedman received his undergraduate degree in 1957 at Columbia College.

He received his medical degree from the State University of New York in 1961, where he graduated cum laude.

Friedman is survived by his wife of 29 years, Denise; his sons Michael and Jonathan; grandchildren Jasmyn and Acacia; and sister Vivian (Jerry) Portnoy of Baltimore.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, at Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, 16019 Sunset Blvd. A reception at the temple will follow. UCLA will hold a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the UCLA Foundation for the William F. Friedman Memorial Fund at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Ave., CHS 12-138, Los Angeles 90095-1722.