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Debbie Friedman, MD, PHD

Medical Director, Pediatric Cardiology (North Region)

Pediatric Cardiology
Friedman Debbie
Friedman Debbie
Locations

Memorial Division of Pediatric Cardiology

3377 South State Road 7
Wellington, FL 33449

Phone: 561-341-7051

Fax: 561-422-2845

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About Me

Medical Director, Pediatric Cardiology (North Region)

I am a pediatric and fetal cardiologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, dedicated to caring for children and adolescents with a wide range of heart-related concerns. Patients are referred to me when there are concerns for possible heart abnormalities, including symptoms such as chest pain, heart murmurs, palpitations, dizziness and fainting. I also see pregnant women when there are concerns for possible heart disease in their fetus. I specialize in managing complex conditions, including congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, providing care from the fetal stage through childhood.

While I find fulfillment in treating a variety of cardiac conditions, what I value most is working closely with families to help them understand their child’s heart health. Fetal cardiology allows me to be part of a family’s journey from the very beginning and witness each child’s growth and development over time.

I understand that many parents and patients come to me with significant concerns, and I aim to ease their anxiety by being open, honest and thorough. I take the time to answer all their questions and educate them about the heart condition or treatment, empowering families to make informed decisions about lifestyle and care.

From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. I was drawn to pediatric cardiology because of its logical nature — clinical symptoms closely follow the anatomy and physiology of the heart. When the symptoms don't align with expectations, it signals that there’s more to uncover about the heart’s structure or function, making each case a unique puzzle to solve.

My background includes both an MD and a PhD in molecular biology, and research has always been a part of my career. While my passion lies in direct patient care, I continue to engage in research that advances the field of pediatric cardiology whenever a topic resonates with me.

I also find great satisfaction in teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Whether through lectures or one-on-one mentorship, I enjoy sharing knowledge and guiding medical students, residents and new doctors in both clinical and hospital settings.

 

 

 

Education

Fellowships

  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 2011, Pediatric Cardiology

Residency

  • Children's National Medical Center, 2007, Pediatrics

Medical Education

  • Weill Med College Univ Of Cornell, 2004

Certifications

  • American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatric Cardiology
  • American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatrics

Awards, Achievements, and More

Publications

Please view Dr. Debbie Friedman’s publications on PubMed.

Professional Organizations

  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American College of Cardiology
  • American Medical Association
  • Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

Presentations

Lectures

  • “Systemic Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Correlates with Disease Severity” Mini Oral Presentation, ISHLT 32nd Annual Meeting, April 2012
  • “Transcriptional Regulation by Sp Family Members” Alumni research lecture, Yeshiva University, May 2003

Oral Presentation

  • Friedman D, Szmuszkovicz J, Rabai M, Detterich JA, Menteer JD and Wood JC (2012) Systemic Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Correlates with Disease Severity. Mini Oral Presentation. ISHLT Annual Meeting, April 2012

Posters

  • A Troy, K O’Connell, D Friedman, P Zaveri. Long-Term Effects of a Mock Code Curriculum on Pediatric Resident Education. SAEM annual meeting. June 2010
  • A Troy, K O’Connell, D Friedman, P Zaveri. Long-Term Effects of a Mock Code Curriculum on Pediatric Resident Education. AFMR Eastern Regional meeting. April 2010
  • D Friedman, P Zaveri, K O’Connell. Pediatric Mock Codes: Improving Resident Resuscitations. Pediatric Academic Society annual meeting, May 2008
  • Debbie Friedman and Kathleen W. Scotto. Differential effects of Sp family members on p21 constitutive and inducible expression. AACR annual meeting, April 2002.
  • Debbie Markenson, Zhen Hu, Kathleen W. Scotto. ET-743 inhibits Sp1-mediated transcriptional activation of the p21 promoter. AACR annual meeting, March 2001.
  • Debbie Friedman, Sarah Thayer, and Kathleen W. Scotto. Activation of MDR1 Transcription by ATRA in Neuroblastoma Cells is Mediated by a Complex Interplay of Multiple SP1 Family Members. AACR annual meeting, April 1999.
  • Babich H, Markenson DF, Blau L, and Stern A. In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Dichlone to Human Endothelial ECV304 Cells. Eighth Annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, April 1994.

Awards

  • Caroline and Joseph Gruss Memorial Life Award, 1991-95
  • Belkin Scholar, 1991-95

Hospital Affiliations