Samuel D. Friedel, MD

Dr. Friedel’s primary clinical interest is in providing comprehensive eye care — from prescribing new glasses to providing medical or surgical care. His goal is to establish and maintain a professional relationship with patients that lasts for years. 

“I am gratified that my patients value me and the care I’ve provided. Some have been under my care for decades and have referred many family members and friends. I’ve been gifted with being allowed to care for multiple generations of some families,” he says.

“I believe a significant reason for my success lies in my ability to hear patients and communicate with them — explaining without using overwhelming scientific verbiage.”

Dr. Friedel went into medicine because it combines the things he likes: science, people, teaching and learning. Since entering practice in 1981, he has been very active in training future eye physicians, and he continues to be one of the principal surgical instructors. 

He is the clinical director of the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus Eye Center, the Friedenwald Eye Institute, and a major clinical site for the University of Maryland School of Medicine Ophthalmology faculty.

He completed his internship and residency, training at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore City, which now operates as UMMC Midtown Campus. He was the Ophthalmology residency program director and was appointed chief of ophthalmology. 

On a personal note, Dr. Friedel considers himself a “Baltimore lifer.” Born in Baltimore City, he lived in Northwest Baltimore City and attended Northwestern High School. He went to the University of Maryland College Park for his undergraduate degree and then to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. 

He married his wife, Fern, whom he met in high school. They moved to Baltimore County where they still reside. He has two daughters, a son-in-law and three grandchildren who all live nearby.