FRIEDELL, Gilbert Gilbert "Gil" H. Friedell, age 91, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2018. Gil was born on February 28, 1927, the second son of Emma and Aaron Friedell. An avid student, he attended Harvard College in 1943 at the age of 16 and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1950 with his B.S., M.B., and M.D. degrees. Gil received his medical training in pathology in Boston, and served as a physician in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He is survived by Jan, his wife and partner of 67 years, and four of their five children. Sadly, in 2016, their eldest son, Mark, passed away. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Donna Friedell of Orlando, FL, son Ben (Diana) of Oneonta, NY, daughter Anne Lewis of Charleston, SC, son James (Laurie) of Newton, MA, and daughter Sarah O'Connell (Brian) of Somerville, MA; as well as seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. During his expansive medical career, Gil worked tirelessly in the field of medicine and consistently placed an emphasis on reaching the medically underserved. At St Vincent's Hospital in Worcester, MA, Gil served first as Chief of Pathology and then Medical Director while serving as Executive Director of the National Cancer Institute National Bladder Cancer Project and Professor of Pathology at University of Massachusetts Medical School from 1971 to 1983. Gil became the first Director of the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky in 1983, co-founding the Kentucky Cancer Registry and serving as the Principal Investigator of NCI's Mid-South Cancer Information Service and Co-Director of an expanded statewide cancer control outreach program. In 1994, along with his colleagues, Gil started the Kentucky Home Place to facilitate greater access to healthcare for the rural poor. They also established Indian Summer, a camp for children living with cancer. After his "retirement" from the Markey Cancer Center in 2000, Gil continued his passion of educating communities and individuals about public health issues in underserved communities. He also co-authored a book on diabetes control The Great Diabetes Epidemic: A Manifesto for Control and Prevention published in 2014. Gil also helped launch a 501(c)3 committee to educate public health departments and others with a call to action for public involvement. The group was later named the Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation, and much of Gil's focus was with that organization's work until his last days. Gil was the recipient of numerous awards, including honors from Planned Parenthood (1995), the Avon Foundation (1996), the Susan G. Komen Foundation (1998), the American Cancer Society (1998), as well as the Dorothy Height Lifetime Achievement Award from the Intercultural Cancer Council (2004). He authored over 200 articles in medical publications and served on numerous public health committees at state and national levels throughout his career. To those who knew him, Gil will be remembered for his wise personal and professional counsel, incisive questions, wit, infectious chuckle, poetic annual holiday letters and fondness for bowties. A memorial service will be held in Charleston, SC in the fall with details to follow. Gil dedicated his life to transforming inequitable systems to make the world a better place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Gilbert H. Friedell Resident Scholar in Cancer Prevention and Control Fund, University of Kentucky, Markey Cancer Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, Attention: Elisha Maxson. "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept." - Angela Davis J. Henry Stuhr Inc. 843-723-2524

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Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 27 to Sep. 28, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for GILBERT FRIEDELL

6 Entries

February 26, 2020

I just finished a book by Garrison Keillor, "Homegrown Democrat," inscribed to Gil: "To Gil Friedell,many thanks for the trip to Norway," signed "Garrison Keillor." Having read Dr. Friedell's obituary, I know how compassionate and wise a man he was. I will miss him and his contributions to us all, and I never even met him.
George Felton, Columbus, Ohio.

Kimberly Kelly

October 17, 2018

It was a blessing to have gotten to know Dr. Friedell during my post-doctoral fellowship in 2002-2004 at the University of Kentucky. I had just returned home to KY after living in the northeast and midwest, and I was trying to reconnect with my Appalachian roots. With the help of Dr. Friedell and Angel Rubio, I was able to approach the challenges of Appalachia as a scientist, which was quite daunting. Always humble, he gave me many suggestions for research and life, which I continue to appreciate over the years. One funny memory was riding with him in the car to go to King's Daughters in Ashland. I think he may have wanted me to drive, but I wanted him to drive because my car is always a mess. As we approached the stop sign, he slammed on the breaks. I had something in my hand, and the force made me toss it into the air. I didn't know him well at the time and was trying to pretend as if nothing happened, but I think my eyes may have bulged a bit. He explained that he was in the habit of slamming on the breaks at stop signs from his days driving on military bases as they were quite strict. Well, I survived and lived to tell about it! Sadly, although I managed to keep my car a bit tidier in the event of another adventure, my urge to clean my car did not last long beyond my post-doc. The lessons I learned have lasted much longer.

Judy Myers Myers

October 4, 2018

Gil was just beginning community outreach efforts in Eastern Ky. I was teaching Public Health Nursing at Berea College and working closely with Judy Martin's organization -Applachian Communities for Children in Jackson and Clay counties. We met in a coffee shop in Berea Kentucky to discuss Judy's successful model using lay health workers for prenatal education. Gil was interested in training lay workers to reach women for cancer screening. I remember how excited he was to tell me his plan for low-income women to receive mammograms for only $50.00. I thought to myself ....'it might as well be $500'. I invited Gil to accompany me to Jackson County to meet some of the women he wanted to serve. He accepted my offer and so typically Gil, he graciously listened to their stories. One woman explained that her husband hauled logs and after all their bills were paid...her family of 5 had $30 left over at the end of the month. I saw Gil take in this reality and I admired his willingness and unique ability to listen and learn from others. He incoorporated what he learned into his plans. The Mountain Sc-Out Program emerged with free mammograms at the health department. In the first year, using lay worker outreach, more low-income women received mammograms in Jackson County than in any other county in Kentucky. Gil and I worked together for many years. He was genuine and sincere...a physician who respected nurses and believed in the aims of public health. Gil would say, 'if the problems are in the community, the solutions are also in the community' He was a man who walked the talk. I miss our chats at Starbucks. RIP my friend.

Janet Jones

October 3, 2018

I worked with Dr. Friedell when I came to UK and I have great memories of our time together. One of those memories was when he would go on overseas trips, he would dictate all the way there and all the way back. This made for a lot of transcribing time once he returned.

He was very passionate about his work and that was evident in all that he did. Many lives have been impacted by his dedication. I'm truly sorry to hear about his passing and prayers for your family at this time.

Janet Robinson Jones

Diane Watson

September 28, 2018

I worked with Dr. Friedell From 1998 until 2011 when I retired from the Kentucky Cancer Program. He was a great man working tirelessly for the Kentucky Cancer Program and University of Kentucky. He implemented so many different programs while at the University that are still going strong. He was not only my "boss" but a good friend. Thank you Dr. Friedell for all your hard work that will live on.

Beth Potter

September 28, 2018

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Friedell for many years. His dedication was evident in the work he did for others. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

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