Dr. Biederman was a brilliant physician, inspiring teacher and his contributions immeasurable to the field of child & adolescent mental health. A devoted pillar of family & heritage, his legacy emblazons a precious lesson to the world he enriched and never took for granted. 

I am eternally grateful for all Dr. Biederman did for my sister.  Was a a very kind person and will be truly missed. 
Andrea Hill

From: Isaac Jakubowicz, M.D.
I recently learned of the passing of our dear and beloved Dr. Joseph Biederman.
I offer my deep hearted condolences to his dear family.
I knew Dr. Biederman, and met him in many occasions throughout the years, in Boston, at Conferences  at Boston Children’s Hospital, and in Los Angeles when he would come to deliver his MGH Lectures    and at Primed West. He was a humble, dedicated, consumed, outstanding Teacher and Mentor, a pioneer and leader in Child Psychiatry and Pediatric Psychopharmacology.
We shared common grounds and backgrounds, both Children of Survivors of the Holocaust, born in Europe, who emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina, graduated from same Medical School in Buenos Aires, and immigrated to the US in the ‘70’s to pursue our careers in Pediatrics and Pediatric Psychiatry and Neurology.
I have been acquainted with his twin brother’s wife, Dr. Aviva Dunkelman Biederman, a Pediatric colleague of mine in LA. Both, Joseph and his twin brother Leon, were outstanding accomplished and successful  scientific professionals in their fields.
I will always remember Dr. Joseph Biederman with kindness, appreciation, and much respect.
May his Neshumah, Soul and Spirit be redeemed in Heaven, while we mourn his passing with the Mourners of Zion for everlasting Peace and Redemption. Amen!
With Love, Admiration, and Respect,
His Colleague,
Dr. Isaac Jakubowicz


It has been several months since I learned of Joe's death.  I had earlier posted my condolences and memories upon learning that Joe had passed...he will remain with us forever.  My heart still hurts...truly millions of lives have benefited from his scholarly work and the many  lives he changed through his care.  I referred a number of patients from the midwest to him...complex, difficult patients.  The tributes from his patients and families have moved me to tears.  Joe is a legend and deservedly so.  Bless you Joe, how we miss you.  

John H. Heiligenstein, MD

I just heard the sad news of Dr. Biederman’s passing.  My daughter has worked with Dr. Biederman for years. He helped her during the most difficult time of her life. Dr. Biederman never gave up on her, even when she gave up on herself. She is currently doing very well and has returned to college. She was planning on writing a card to Dr. Biederman to thank him for his unwavering support and to let him aware of her recent success.  My deepest condolences to his family and friends. 

Iosi Biederman as I met when he was in Hadassah psychiatry department  was a dear wonderful friend 
His untimely death is a profound loss for me and my husband Tuncho
Iosi was part of the family during his years in Israel
I remember vividly his marriage ceremony with Helen 
And the very sad times of the death of his first wife Silvia mother of Itai
My condolences to Helen and the children 
We will keep his memory alive
Miriam and Tuncho Levav
Jerusalem 

My sincere condolences to Dr. Biederman's family. He has been my son's doctor for over 10 years. My son recently got into the college of his choice, and I firmly believe that he never would have achieved all he has without the guidance, Dr. Biederman provided. He was so kind, so understanding, so supportive. He even gave us great tips for places to go while on travels! Our family will miss his guidance and kindness. 

The Wright Family

There are no words to describe how sad I am. Dr. Biederman saved my daughters life and my families. I’m not sure where I would be today without him.  Sending my deepest condolences to his family. 


I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. Biederman. I began seeing him in the 1990s. As others have mentioned, his care and attention, which were always unhurried, and his validation that yes, your brain worked differently, but that "different" was not the same as "less", or "bad", or "wrong",  made a tremendous impact in all areas of my life. I understand myself better thanks to Dr. Biederman, and I like myself better, too.
I offer my heart felt condolences to his family. He was a very special man.

He will be missed.  A true pioneer and valiant force for children's mental health.

Dear Helen and Family, I know Joe’s Memory will be a blessing to you, to the many he touched and  far beyond -  to whose lives changed for his courage, determination, dedication and humanity. It will be to me! I feel so lucky to have been a friend, support and mentor when Joe first came to make America his personal and professional home and to become a master doctor, researcher and teacher. (Joe you put Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on a redrawn map of Modern Medicine. You were a gift entire. Thank you Helen and family for being with, of  and for him.) The best of my love in Memoriam and Praise. Tim Rivinus 

I extend my sincere condolences to Dr. Biederman's family and friends. 

I cannot imagine where the field of ADHD would be without his dogged efforts over so many years.  Millions benefit now and millions more will benefit in the future. 

His keen intellect, profound compassion, and professional dedication made him a remarkable researcher, clinician, and human.

I'm so sorry for your loss.



I was recommended by a friend to go and see Dr. Biederman .I di just that. He was the most compassionate Doctor. He let me talk about my problems and together. He helped me so much and I will miss him so much. N,Carter.

My thoughts are with Dr. Biederman’s family. He was an amazing doctor and person. He was my doctor for 36 years. I’d recently had a virtual appointment with him. It breaks my heart that he is gone but I have so many memories and learned so much from him. Best wishes to his family at this very trying time.

I'm a child psychiatrist in Santa Monica, CA. I never met Joseph Biederman MD, but his work was very important to me , especially  the recent large population studies that showed the beneficial  effects of medication treatment for people with ADHD. I'm sorry that he died so young; I'm sure he would have had a lot more to contribute.

Dr Biederman inspired me as a clinician and fearless defender of psychiatry. I’m so grateful to him and the group he led. He and they have transformed the practice of child psychiatry. Thank you Dr Biederman. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the Biderman family.  

To the Biederman family
Forever in our hearts and  for the amazing care for our son
I am saddened by your loss 
My son was able to grow into the fine young man he is today because of Dr Biederman
Forever in our hearts 
Thank you 🙏 
You will be remembered forever  

Dr. Biederman touched so many lives over the years. I always admired his dedication, compassion,  and attention to detail when it came to caring for his patients. I still remember how their faces would light up every time he greeted them. He was a very special person who will truly be missed. I’m grateful to have known him and will remember his kindness and sense of humor.  

With sympathy and wishing you peace. 




Dr. Biederman was not just a doctor who I have been going to for several years now but was a mentor to me. He helped me get through that hardest times and showed me how to excel in life even with my ADHD. He taught me that ADHD isn't a weakness but rather a part of us, and we should embrace it. I will greatly miss our meetings and will miss him dearly. I am grateful for having the opportunity to have him be such an important part in my life. Thank you for everything.

I met Dr Biederman when I was 7 and I am 45 now I am lost for words on the passing of Dr Biederman, he was extremely gentle and passionate and very helpful.   Always there if a crisis occurred, His assistant Yvonne must be heart broken, she  was the lifeline to reach Dr B if something came up and you needed anything.  My continued prayers To his Wife Children and Grandchildren. Dr Biederman will be forever in my heart he certainly made a big difference in so many people and he will be missed. Rest in Peace Dr Biederman thank you for all your help over the years 

Twenty three years ago, Dr. Biederman changed my son Andrew’s life when he called me back after I had left a desperate page about my child being in crisis. When I called MGH, I was told Dr. Biederman had a 9-month waiting list. Never one to take an immediate not possible for a response I paged him and in less than 2-minutes Dr. Biederman called me back and spent 30-minutes on the phone. Dr. Biederman told me that his assistant would call in the morning and they would get Andrew an appointment. Dr. Biederman’s partner Dr. Janet Wozniak had an unheard of cancellation and we grabbed the appointment only having to wait 3 weeks. Never did my husband or I consider the stress of having to travel from MI to MA. Andrew’s very life was on the line. This is the Joseph Biederman that thousands of families came to know. Dr. Biederman was fierce in his research and beliefs in the early onset of mood disorders. Dr. Biederman was a kind and gentle soul with his patients. Dr. Biederman’s death has been unthinkable. His loss is unparalleled. His contributions that will be written about in history books worldwide will remain second to no one. Dr. Biederman is forever a handprint on my heart and soul. Eric, Andrew and especially for me as a mother, mental health and civil rights activist, Dr. Biederman will be forever cherished; forever remembered; forever missed. I have to believe there is a place called Heaven and Dr. Biederman is right now in conversation with Dr. Emil Kraepelin about new pioneers for the field of child psychiatry. Never for a minute have I felt anything other than privileged for having met Dr. Joseph Biederman. Today his loss is so painful it is difficult to breathe. Yes, life goes on and still for the hundreds of thousands of underserved children across MI and America with complex psychiatric disorders that go undiagnosed and medically mismanaged, a day will not go by that Dr. Biederman will be far from my thoughts. 

Helen and Family,

I was so, so sorry to hear of Joe's death...the news was sadly shocking and no words of sympathy can adequately capture the loss I and many thousands of others must feel.  I have so many wonderful memories of our work together, his pivotal role in the development of Strattera (Atomoxetine), his professionalism and kindness.  I always thought of him as the "clinician's clinician"....I was always learning from him.  He loved his family and was always catching me up on  his children and their successes.  And, he never failed to ask me about my boys, especially Christian, my special needs son. He led a great team at MGH, many of whom I count as friends even to this day.  I am heartbroken for you and all who loved Joe.  Please accept my deepest sympathies.

John H. Heiligenstein

In 2016 Joe allowed me to help him and Stephen Faraone on a study which resulted in a poster presentation and later published study.  While I doubt he would know that was instrumental in my career and likely allowed me to become a child psychiatrist and clinic director of a mental health clinic. 

At the time I was broke and early in my career.  He helped me tremendously and also helped get me a travel grant to APSARD which made it possible for me to attend and present there.  I later was accepted into a fellowship and later still became tripled boarded. I teach now and published twice last year.  None of this would have happened without his help (or Stephen Faraone) and I’ll be forever thankful for such a kind, generous and brilliant man.  

My brief work with him will be a badge of honor I will carry throughout my life.  I’m glad I could help him.

El profesor Biederman fue un gran apoyo para el desarrollo del conocimiento del TDAH en población adulta en España. Recuerdo su cálida acogida desde mis inicios en esta disciplina y sus maravillosos cursos de TDAH y psicofarmacología en Boston. Siempre tuvo una especial atención para todos los profesionales de España. 

Es un día triste saber que hemos perdido a una gran persona y un extraordinario profesional. Mis condolencias a toda la familia Biederman. 

Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga
Jefe del Servicio de Psiquiatría Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Barcelona. España
Profesor de Psiquiatría. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 

OBITUARY

Dr. Joseph Biederman

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