Dr. George Freundlich

Dr. George V. Freundlich, a retired doctor and musician, is both a native of Cluj-Napoca, Romania and a Canadian citizen. As the former Medical Director, Chief of Staff and Active Staff Emeritus at Bingham Memorial Hospital, he performed emergency room coverage and acute, chronic, palliative and geriatric care. He is also a fellow and member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Dr. Freundlich earned a BA in Fine Arts with a focus on music in 1975 in the city of Cluj, Romania. In 1982, he graduated from the University of Medicine and before arriving to Canada in 1985. After passing EN FRANCAIS the MCCEE Exam at The Medical Council of Canada in Montreal, Dr. Freundlich moved to Newfoundland and started his medical work as a Junior House Officer. Due to his outstanding medical activity, he received several promotions within just 3 years. He became the AMO - Assistant Medical Officer, then DMO - District Medical Officer and finally by 1990, while working at “Dr A.M. Guy Memorial Hospital” in Buchans, at the age of 33 he became the youngest SMO Senior Medical Officer, the highest title a doctor can achieve.

In 1989 George Freundlich obtained his Canadian Citizenship. He later became known as “the flying doctor” when he accepted a position with Harbour Breton Hospital, the most isolated hospital in Newfoundland, located on the southern coast of Newfoundland. There, he was required to travel to his patients located in isolated communities by boat and helicopter.

As a career musician, Dr. Freundlich retired from the Timmins Symphony Orchestra in 2019 after 25 years. In 1973, while still a musical student in Romania, he was selected to perform with the Romanian Youth Orchestra in Aberdeen, Scotland at the inaugural “International Festival of Youth Orchestras” (there were 20 participating countries). There he was selected in the World’s Youth Orchestra performing concerts in London. 30 years later, in 2003, Dr. Freundlich led the Canadian Youth Orchestra to the same festival and was a red carpet guest.

As a philanthropist, George Freundlich makes regular donations to charities, food banks, local museums, the Society of MS and Orchestras Canada. He is also well known for his generous bursaries awarded to the most talented and deserving musical students. He has been awarded with the prestigious “International Humanitarian, Philanthropist and Cultural Ambassador” award, given by the Government of Romania and Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. George is a proud member of the Rotary Club since 1995.

Outside of his charity work, Dr. George Freundlich enjoys travelling, having visited over 100 countries across all 7 continents.

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