Brief Biography

Dr. Freedman is a full-time member of the Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children. He received his medical degree from McGill University, completed a paediatric residency at The Hospital for Sick Children, a paediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation at Northwestern University (Chicago). He currently is an assistant professor in the Department of Paediatrics, a clinician-investigator in the Division of Emergency Medicine, and an associate scientist in Child Health Evaluative Sciences.

Clinical Care Activities

His clinical practice spans both patient care and educational responsibilities in paediatric emergency medicine. Dr. Freedman is actively involved in the education of paediatric emergency medicine fellows, paediatric residents as well as family medicine and emergency medicine residents in addition to medical students.

Academic Background

MDCM
McGill University, 1992-08-01 - 1996-06-01

MSCI
Northwestern University, 2001-01-01 - 2003-06-01

Pediatric Emergency Fellowship
Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, 2000-10-01 - 2003-09-01

Research Interests

Dr. Freedman’s research focuses on the treatment of children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. In order to improve the care delivered he has studied the use of antiemetics in the emergency department. Current endeavours include the evaluation of rapid intravenous rehydration, the development of a caregiver knowledge questionnaire, caregiver education, and probiotic use.

Research Activities

Dr. Freedman recently completed a study utilizing an antiemetic in children who are vomiting secondary to acute gastroenteritis. In this study Dr. Freedman found that the use of ondansetron can reduce vomiting and the need for intravenous rehydration.

Future Research Interests

Dr. Freedman is currently conducting a study that will evaluate a method of intravenous rehydration that will hopefully result in earlier discharge of patients from the emergency department. He is also investigating whether more intensive parent education can result in improved knowledge which hopefully will result in fewer emergency department visits. In the near future he hopes to evaluate the impact of probiotic use in paediatric gastroenteritis.

External Funding

• The Impact of an Emergency Department and Community Based Gastroenteritis Education Protocol on Knowledge and Emergency Department Utilization. Freedman SB: Pediatric Consultants Educational Research Grant
• Impact of Oximetry on Hospitalization in Acute Bronchiolitis. Schuh S, Freedman SB, Coates A, Parkin P, Allen U, Willan A, Ungar W, Da Silva Z: Physicians' Services Incorporated
• Isotonic versus hypotonic IV maintenance fluids in children: a randomized controlled trial. Geary D, Freedman SB, Beck C, Freidman JN: Paediatric Consultants Partnership's Grant for Creative Professional Activity
• Impact of Oximetry on Hospitalization in Acute Bronchiolitis. Schuh S, Freedman SB, Coates A, Parkin P, Allen U, Willan A, Ungar W, Da Silva Z: Thrasher Research Fund
• Palatability of oral rehydration solutions (PORS). Freedman SB, Boutis K, Schuh S: Paediatric Consultants Partnership Grant for Creative Professional Activity

Achievements

Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, Young Investigator Award - Nominee. 2008

Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Clinical Recognition Award-MD, Runner Up. In recognition of excellence in outstanding effort & contribution to the Emergency Department. 2006

Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Research Recognition Award-MD. In recognition of excellence in outstanding effort & contribution to research. 2006

Overall Best Paper Award. American Academy of Pediatrics, National Conference & Exhibit, Washington, DC. 2005

Publications

Freedman SB, Thull-Freedman J: Pediatric dehydration assessment and oral rehydration therapy. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports 2008: 13(2): pp13-28.

Freedman SB, Haladyn JK, Floh A, Kirsh J, Taylor G, Thull-Freedman J: Pediatric myocarditis: emergency department clinical findings and diagnostic evaluation. Pediatrics 2007: 120(6): pp 1278-1285.

Freedman SB, Thakkar VA: Easing the strain on a pediatric tertiary care center: the use of a redistribution system. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 2007: 161(9): pp 870-6.

Freedman SB: Acute infectious pediatric gastroenteritis: beyond oral rehydration therapy. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 2007: 8: pp 1651-65.

Freedman SB, Adler M, Seshadri R, Powell EC: Antiemetics for acute gastroenteritis: a never ending story. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2007: 45: pp 132-3.

Freedman SB, Adler M, Seshadri R, Powell EC: Oral ondansetron for gastroenteritis in a pediatric emergency department. New England Journal of Medicine 2006: 354: pp 1698-705.

Freedman SB, Reed J, Burwen D, Wise R, Weiss A, Ball R: Transient bulging fontanelle after vaccination: case report and review of the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS). Journal of Pediatrics 2005: 147(5): pp 640-4.

Freedman SB, Roosevelt GE: Utility of anaerobic blood cultures in a pediatric emergency department. Pediatric Emergency Care 2004: 20 (7): pp 433-436.

Freedman SB, Fuchs S: Antiemetic therapy in pediatric emergency departments. Pediatric Emergency Care 2004: 20 (9): pp 625-32.

Freedman SB, Marrocco A, Pirie J, Dick PT: Predictors of bacterial meningitis in the era after Haemophilus influenzae. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 2001: 155 (12): pp 1301-6.