Search for a doctor

William D. Freeman, M.D.

  1. Neurocritical Care Specialist
  2. Vascular Neurologist
  3. Neurologist

Dr. Freeman is an international renown expert in neurological and neurosurgical emergencies, acute stroke/cerebrovascular diseases, neurohospital medicine, and neurocritical care given his 3-shield scholarly work in advancing patient care, education, and research.

Dr. Freeman's primary interests are centered around precision medicine of brain-injury and stroke, and in particular hemorrhage stroke, and intraventricular drug discovery, translation, and application. Dr. Freeman was part of the international CLEAR III steering committee and pioneered several innovative brain-injection drug methodologies with global scientific collaborators. Dr. Freeman holds the academic rank of Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, and has appointments within the Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Freeman has more than 230 peer-reviewed National Library of Medicine publications, and has four textbooks, including one by Cambridge and another by Oxford on hospital neurology, critical care, and neurological emergencies. Dr. Freeman is the founding Neurosciences ICU medical director at Mayo Clinic in Florida, and one of the co-directors of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Stroke Center. Dr. Freeman is the Program Director for two separate neurocritical care fellowships one with the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties (UCNS) and other with the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS). He has obtained numerous honors and awards including the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator award in 2015, and the Mayo Clinic Enterprise Program Director award in 2016 and is among the most prolific educators in CPD (Continuous Professional Development) content creation and design in the neurosciences.

Dr. Freeman's other research interests include health economics and he Co-Chaired the national WorkForce Task Force for the American Academy of Neurology in 2012-2015 nationally. He is also interested in advancing population and individualized medicine using robotic telemedicine and mobile health Apps.

Dr. Freeman is also a Mayo Clinic Gold Quality Fellow which is an honor and distinction for his high level of quality improvement initiatives with impact within and beyond Mayo Clinic's walls and can be utilized by other health care systems, including a Harvard Business Review article using precision medicine in stroke care (https://hbr.org/2018/10/lessons-from-mayo-clinics-redesign-of-stroke-care).

  1. Atrial fibrillation
  2. Cerebrovascular disease
  3. Intracranial hemorrhage
  4. Neuropathy
  5. Stroke
  6. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  1. Botox injection
  2. Bronchoscopy
  3. EEG
  4. Endotracheal intubation
  5. Lumbar puncture
  6. Percutaneous tracheostomy
  7. Sedation
  8. Tracheostomy
  9. Transcranial Doppler test
  • Neurocritical care
  • Cerebrovascular disorders and stroke
  • Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Hospital neurology
  • Acute Brain injury and Coma
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Critical illness
  • Cerebrospinal fluid disorders, hydrocephalus
  • External Ventricular drain and lumbar drainage
  • Minimally invasive surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Precision medicine
  • EEG
  • Clinical informatics
  • Clinical education science
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence
  1. 2006
    Fellow - Critical Care NeurologyMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  2. 2005
    ResidentNeurology, Programs in Florida, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2005
    Resident - NeurologyMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  4. 2002
    ResidentTransitional Year, Programs in Florida, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 2002
    Transitional InternshipMayo Clinic in Florida
  6. 2001
    MDUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  7. 1996
    BSc - Molecular and Cellular Biology major.University of Texas, Dallas

Certifications

  1. 2021
    Neurological Critical CareAmerican Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
  2. 2007
    Neurocritical CareUnited Council of Neurologic Subspecialities
  3. 2006
    NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Awards and honors

  1. 2022
    Richard A. Berger Humanitarian AwardMayo Clinic
  2. 2020
    FL Tops Docs 2020USA Top Docs
  3. 2019
    2020 A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition AwardAmerican Academy of Neurology
  4. 2019
    Who's Who in Medicine Higher EducationAcademicKeys
  5. 2019
    Excellence in Administration and Leadership at the Legacy LevelMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
  6. 2018
    Top Reviewer for 2017-2018Neurocritical Care Journal
  7. 2018
    Outstanding Course DirectorMayo School of Continuous Professional Development
  8. 2015
    Outstanding Inpatient Educator Award, Mayo Clinic Neurology ResidencyOutstanding Educator
  9. 2015
    Fellowship of the Neurocritical Care SocietyNeurocritical Care Society
  10. 2015
    Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN)American Academy of Neurology
  11. 2015
    Outstanding Course Director, Mayo School of Continuous Professional DevelopmentOutstanding Course Directors for 2015, Mayo Clinic Enterprise
  12. 2015
    Mayo Clinic Distinguished EducatorMayo Clinic College of Medicine
  13. 2014
    Innovation and Collaboration AwardMayo School of Continuous Professional Development
  14. 2013
    Neurocritical Care Society Presidential Citation AwardNeurocritical Care Society
  15. 2012
    2012 Health Care Hero - PhysicianJacksonville Business Journal
  16. 2011
    Teaching Recognition AwardNeurology Residency Program, Department of Neurology
  17. 2010
    Outstanding Course DirectorMayo School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  18. 2008
    Outstanding Regular Scheduled Series Director AwardNeurocritical Care Conference, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  19. 2008
    Outstanding Regularly Scheduled Series Course Director AwardMayo School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  20. 2007
    Robert H. and Clarice Smith/M.L. Simpson Foundation Trust Research FellowshipAwarding Organization
  21. 2005
    Palatucci Advocacy Leadership ScholarAmerican Academy of Neurology
  22. 2005
    Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship AwardMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  23. 2005
    Travel ScholarshipAmerican Academy of Neurology
  24. 2005
    Dr. Frank A. Rubino AwardMayo Clinic in Florida
  25. 2005
    Distinguished Physician AwardFlorida Medical Association
  26. 2005
    RecipientIrene Madrak Award for Excellence in Pediatric Neurology
  27. 2004
    Continuing Medical Education Physician's Recognition AwardAmerican Medical Association
  28. 2004
    Travel ScholarshipAmerican Academy of Neurology
  29. 2002
    Travel ScholarshipAmerican Headache Society
  30. 1996
    Graduated with HonorsUniversity of Texas, Dallas
  31. 1996
    MemberGolden Key International Honor Society
  32. 1994
    Dean's ListUniversity of Texas
  33. 1994
    RecipientDr. John Anthony Leadership Scholarship
  34. 1994
    RecipientRedman Scholarship
  35. 1994
    Dean's ListCollin College
  36. 1993
    President's ListAwarding Organization
  37. 1992
    MemberPhi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Professional memberships

  1. 2024 - present
    MemberMayo Advanced Digital Education (ADE) Team
  2. 2021 - present
    MemberExecutive Operations Team
  3. 2020 - present
    Group MemberApplied Clinical Informatics Advisory Council
  4. 2020
    Lead Stroke Matter Expert and Predictive AnalyticsDartmouth Institute, Intermountain Health Care, Mayo Clinic High Value Health Care Collaboration
  5. 2019 - present
    MemberMayo Library Advisory Committee
  6. 2018 - present
    Subject Matter Expert MemberDartmouth Institute, Intermountain Health Care, Mayo Clinic High Value Health Care Collaboration
  7. 2018 - present
    MemberPharmacogene Variation (PharmVar) NIH Consortium
  8. 2018 - present
    DirectorNeuroscience Department, Vascular NeuroTherapeutics
  9. 2018 - present
    Advisory Group MemberMayo Clinic Augmented Human Intelligence Advisory Group
  10. 2018 - present
    Advisory Team MemberFlorida Life Science Incubator
  11. 2018 - present
    Steering CommitteeFlorida Life Science Incubator
  12. 2018 - present
    Academic MentorPhysician/Scientist Engagement Group, Office of Leadership and Organization Development; Physician/Scientist Engagement Group
  13. 2018 - present
    Board of DirectorsNeurocritical Care Society
  14. 2017 - 2019
    ENLS AmbassadorNeurocritical Care Society
  15. 2016 - 2019
    Executive Committee MemberNeurocritical Care Society
  16. 2016 - present
    MemberAmerican Telemedicine Association
  17. 2016 - present
    Board LiaisonEducational Products Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee, Neurocritical Care Society
  18. 2016 - 2019
    Board of DirectorsNeurocritical Care Society
  19. 2016 - present
    MemberFlorida Connected Care Subcommittee
  20. 2016 - present
    Medical Co-DirectorComprehensive Stroke Center
  21. 2016 - present
    Surgical Committee and Comprehensive Stroke Center
  22. 2015 - present
    Co-ChairEducational Products Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee, Neurocritical Care Society
  23. 2015 - present
    Program DirectorCAST-SNS Neurosurgery Neurocritical Care Fellowship, Department of Education Administration
  24. 2015 - present
    FellowAmerican Academy of Neurology
  25. 2015 - present
    Vice ChairSection of Critical Care and Emergency Neurology, American Academy of Neurology
  26. 2015 - 2020
    MemberContinuous Professional Development Subcommittee
  27. 2015 - 2016
    Medical DirectorNeurovascular Admissions and Transfer Center (ATC)
  28. 2015 - present
    EducatorNeurology Patient Education Physician Liaison Florida
  29. 2015 - present
    Administrative Board MemberPhillips Board of Innovantive Health
  30. 2015 - present
    Practice Cluster ChairPractice Management and Technology, American Academy of Neurology
  31. 2015 - present
    LiaisonDigital Strategy Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  32. 2015 - present
    MemberMedical Economics and Management Subcommittee, American Academy of Neurology
  33. 2015 - present
    MemberDigital Strategy Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  34. 2015 - present
    MemberFlorida Connected Health, Extramural
  35. 2015 - present
    MemberDigital Strategy Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  36. 2015 - present
    Chair/Co-ChairEducational Products Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee, Neurocritical Care Society
  37. 2014 - 2015
    Patient Education, Physician LiaisonDepartment of Neurology
  38. 2014 - 2015
    MemberSociety of Physician Entrepreneurs
  39. 2014
    ModeratorFuture Leaders Forum, Neurocritical Care Society
  40. 2014 - present
    Medical Economics (MEM) Workgroup, American Academy of Neurology
  41. 2014 - present
    Neurology Burnout Workforce Taskforce, American Academy of Neurology
  42. 2013
    Director20s, 30s, and 60s, DRG Review Committee, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Critical Care
  43. 2013 - 2015
    MemberCLEAR IVH - Steering Committee, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
  44. 2013
    Fellow MemberRoyal Society of Medicine
  45. 2013 - present
    Program DirectorUCNS Neurocritical Care Fellowship, Department of Education Administration
  46. 2012 - 2014
    MemberCerebrovascular Development Committee, Stroke Council, American Heart Association
  47. 2012 - present
    ChairAdvocacy Committee, Neurocritical Care Society
  48. 2012 - present
    Task Force MemberNeurocritical Care Certification Task Force, Neurocritical Care Society
  49. 2011 - present
    Co-ChairAdvocacy Committee, Neurocritical Care Society
  50. 2010 - 2013
    Co-ChairWorforce TaskForce, American Academy of Neurology
  51. 2010
    Principal AuthorFoundation Formulary Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  52. 2010 - present
    Co-DirectorNeurology Grand Rounds, Department of Neurology
  53. 2010 - present
    MemberContinuous Professional Development Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  54. 2010 - present
    Program Co-directorICU EEG Workshop, Neurocritical Care Society
  55. 2009 - 2012
    Executive Council MemberAmerican Academy of Neurology
  56. 2009 - present
    MemberResearch Committee, Department of Neurology
  57. 2008 - present
    Course Co-DirectorMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  58. 2008 - 2013
    Co-DirectorSurgical ICU, Department of Critical Care
  59. 2008 - 2013
    Executive Committee MemberNeurohospitalist Section, American Academy of Neurology
  60. 2008 - 2009
    MemberAllied Health Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  61. 2008 - present
    Course Co-DirectorMayo Clinic Stroke and Cerebrovascular Review Course
  62. 2007 - 2012
    Conference DirectorResident Clinical Pathologic Conference, Department of Neurology
  63. 2007 - present
    Vice ChairNeurology Curriculum Committee, Department of Neurology
  64. 2007 - 2013
    Vice Chair for ResearchDepartment of Critical Care
  65. 2007 - 2010
    MemberPharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, St. Luke's Hospital
  66. 2007 - present
    MemberNeurology Assessment Committee, Department of Neurology
  67. 2007 - present
    MemberCritical Care Task Force, Department of Critical Care
  68. 2007 - present
    MemberCritical Care Department Meetings, Department of Critical Care
  69. 2007 - present
    DirectorNeurosciences ICU, Department of Critical Care
  70. 2007 - present
    Founding MemberNeurointensivist, Neurosciences ICU, Department of Critical Care
  71. 2006 - 2008
    MemberNeurology and Neurosurgery Practice Team, St. Luke's Hospital
  72. 2006 - present
    MemberEducation Committee, Department of Neurology
  73. 2006 - present
    LiaisonResident Continuum Journal Club, Neurology Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  74. 2006 - 2008
    MemberPharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Resident Continuum Journal Club, Neurology Education Committee
  75. 2006 - present
    MemberStroke Task Force Committee, Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology
  76. 2006 - present
    MemberCritical Care Curriculum, Neurology Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  77. 2006 - present
    MemberResident Continuum Journal Club, Neurology Education Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  78. 2006 - present
    Conference DirectorDepartment of Neurology
  79. 2006 - present
    MemberCritical Care Curriculum, Education Committee, Department of Neurology
  80. 2006 - present
    DirectorTranscranial Doppler
  81. 2006 - present
    DirectorNeurocritical Care Conference, Department of Critical Care
  82. 2006 - present
    MemberAdvocacy Committee, Neurocritical Care Society
  83. 2005 - 2010
    MemberDistance Learning Work Group, American Academy of Neurology
  84. 2005 - 2009
    MemberMeeting Management Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  85. 2005 - 2006
    Past ChairConsortium of Residents and Fellows, American Academy of Neurology
  86. 2005
    Principal AuthorFoundation Formulary Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  87. 2005 - present
    MemberSociety of Critical Care Medicine
  88. 2004 - 2007
    MemberPractice Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  89. 2004 - 2007
    MemberGraduate Education Committee, American Academy of Neurology
  90. 2004 - 2005
    ChairConsortium of Residents and Fellows, American Academy of Neurology
  91. 2004 - present
    MemberNeurocritical Care Society
  92. 2003 - 2006
    MemberConsortium of Residents and Fellows, American Academy of Neurology
  93. 2003 - 2004
    Chair-ElectConsortium of Residents and Fellows, American Academy of Neurology
  94. 2003 - present
    MemberA.B. Baker Section on Neurological Education, American Academy of Neurology
  95. 2002 - 2003
    MemberGoverning Council Seat, Resident and Fellow Section, Florida Medical Association
  96. 2001 - 2005
    MemberGraduate Education Subcommittee for Medical and Laboratory Subspecialties, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
  97. 2001 - present
    MemberFlorida Medical Association
  98. 2001 - present
    MemberTexas Medical Association
  99. 1997 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Association
  100.  
    MemberStroke Practice Committee, Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Department of Neurology
  101.  
    20s, 30s, and 60s, DRG Review Committee, Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Critical Care

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.