Friedman attended New Utrecht High School, Brooklyn College, and the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center where he received an M.D.
In 1957, Friedman married Mildred Barrett-Lennard with whom he fathered three daughters: Amy Louise, Rebecca Alica, and Sara Jo.
After two years as an Epidemic Intelligence Officer for the United States Public Health Service's Communicable Disease Center, from 1961 to 1963, Friedman returned to SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York, where he is currently a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Medicine.
Exceptionally high liability insurance rates restricted the broad utilization of the device which still is limited in application.
His work has been recognized by the American College of Physicians which conferred the distinction of terming him a "Master."