Dr. Morris Freedman has been appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour.

Dr. Freedman joined the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest in 1989 and has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of how cognitive functions break down in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. His pioneering work in cognitive assessment, including the development of the Toronto Cognitive Assessment and the Object Alternation Test, along with his influential research on clock drawing, has shaped dementia diagnosis and care in Ontario and worldwide.

Dr. Freedman currently serves as Head of the Division of Neurology and Senior Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute and as Medical Director of the Pamela and Paul Austin Centre for Neurology and Behavioural Support.

In early 2020, Dr. Freedman co-created Baycrest’s Virtual Behavioural Medicine (VBM) program to ensure individuals living with dementia could promptly access highly specialized behavioural care while remaining in their homes. He continues to advance VBM, ensuring patients experiencing responsive behaviours receive appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions that stabilize symptoms, reduce avoidable hospitalizations and prevent distressing transitions in care. Dr. Freedman is widely recognized for his unwavering commitment to improving access, outcomes and quality of life for people living with dementia and their families, while strengthening Baycrest’s leadership in research, innovation and excellence in care.

This honour recognizes not only Dr. Freedman’s outstanding achievements, but also the impact of his work on patients, residents, families, learners and colleagues worldwide. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with him and grateful for his continued leadership at Baycrest.

You can learn more about this year’s appointees to the Order of Ontario by visiting Ontario.ca.