Dean Aaron Friedman

Dr. Aaron Friedman is vice president for health sciences and dean of the University’s Medical School, a role he assumed in January 2011.

Prior to his current role, Friedman was head of the Department of Pediatrics, holding the Ruben-Bentson Chair since his arrival to the Medical School in 2008.

“The University of Minnesota has a long history of leadership across the health sciences,” Friedman said. “There is a remarkable amount of talent and resources here, at both a faculty and staff level – and even at a facilities level. This University has a wonderful track record and a great legacy, and I look forward to helping this institution ensure that both continue in the years ahead.”

A pediatric nephrologist and dedicated educator, Friedman conducts research on pediatric kidney disease. He examines treatments aimed at preventing kidney failure in children with certain forms of kidney disease at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. The University’s children’s hospital is a leader in pediatric kidney transplantation in the world and has one of the best infant kidney transplant success rates in the world.

In addition to his role within the Medical School, Friedman was pediatrician-in-chief at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, a role he previously held at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital.

Outside of the University, Friedman is a member of the board of directors of the American Board of Pediatrics, serving as chair in 2008, and is active in the American Academy of Pediatrics. His research and scholarly work have centered on amino acid transport and factors influencing growth in chronic renal failure, and he serves as chair of a steering committee for an NIH-sponsored clinical trial in pediatric nephrology.

He is the 2010 recipient of the Henry Barnett Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics nephrology section for his contributions to children with kidney disease and to the pediatric nephrology community.

Before arriving at the University of Minnesota, Friedman was chair of the departments of pediatrics at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island (2004-2008) and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1996-2004). While at Wisconsin, Friedman also chaired the University Committee, the primary all-university faculty governance committee.