Friedman foundation makes huge donation for health scholarships
Sydney Friedman and his wife Constance donated $3.3-million to fund scholarships for students studying in the broad area of health. This donation comes after the recent sale of the late couple’s home.
They both dedicated their professional lives to UBC and their legacy of generosity will live on with this huge donation.
The Friedmans were the first appointment to UBC’s new Faculty of Medicine in 1950, teaching the first graduating class of 1954.
They founded the department of anatomy, where Sydney Friedman lead from 1950-1981.
Constance researched and taught at UBC until retiring in 1985. She and her husband published over 200 papers together. Sydney Friedman passed away in February 2015 while Constance passed away in June 2011.
“The Friedmans were instrumental in making the UBC Faculty of Medicine the exceptional medical school that it is today,” said UBC President Prof. Santa Ono. “The university is grateful for everything they did and the endowment that allows that good work to continue.”
The Constance Livingstone Friedman and Sydney Friedman Foundation fund scholarships, following the sale of the couple’s former home this summer. The donation funds two awards — the Friedman Scholars in Health Award and the Friedman Travel Award.
The objective of the Friedman Travel Award is to provide the recipient with the chance to experience different cultures in order to enrich their global viewpoint with patients.
In 2016, four Friedman Scholars in Health (graduate students in the broad field of health) were granted $25,000 to $50,000 each to further their work through studying outside of Canada.
In addition, two MD program graduates were awarded with $5,000 each to travel in the course of their first year out of school.
More than 60 years later, the Friedman house and its gardens stand as an example of the mid century modern artistic taste.
Many feared the house would be knocked down, but following media coverage a buyer was found who was happy to preserve the property.
“Everyone at the foundation was relieved the home would be preserved. It’s what Sydney and Constance wanted. They would be thrilled to know that the medical school they helped to build and the students they so cherished will be able to benefit,” said Dr. Al Boggie, co-president of the Friedman Foundation.