Samuel O. Freedman

Samuel Orkin Freedman, OC CQ FRSC (born May 8, 1928) is a Canadian clinical immunologist, professor and academic administrator. In 1965, he co-discovered with Phil Gold the carcinoembryonic antigen, the basis of a blood test used in the diagnosis and management of people with colorectal cancer.

Born in Montreal, Freedman received a Bachelor of Science in 1948 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1953 from McGill University. From 1977 to 1981, he was the Dean of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. From 1981 to 1991, he served as McGill's chief academic officer with the title of Vice-Principal, Academic (equivalent to Provost at U.S. universities). Freedman received an honorary degree from McGill in 1992. He was named Professor Emeritus in 2000. Until January 1, 2008, Freedman was senior advisor to the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, where he was previously research director.

Honours

• In 1976, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
• In 1978, he was awarded the Gairdner Foundation International Award.
• In 1985, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
• In 1998, he was awarded the Quebec government's Prix Armand-Frappier.
• In 2004, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.

References

• Gold P, Freedman SO. Demonstration of tumor-specific antigens in human colonic carcinomata by immunological tolerance and absorption techniques. J Exp Med 1965;121:439.
• Prix Armand-Frappier Citation (in French)
• Order of Canada Citation