JohnAlexanderFreemanMDPh.D

Psychiatry • Camano Island, WA

Psychopharmacology

Online Tele-psychiatry

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Office
2779 SE Camano Dr
Camano Island, WA 98282
Phone+1 707-295-0911

Fax+1 707-998-4573

Summary

Dr. John Freeman is a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology based in Camano Island, WA. He holds extensive educational credentials, including a medical degree from McGill University and a Ph.D. in Molecular Neurobiology from MIT. His career includes diverse roles such as a professor at Vanderbilt University, a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, and various visiting professorships. Dr. Freeman has a wealth of experience in tele-psychiatry and has authored over 300 publications in prestigious journals. His contributions to the field have earned him multiple honors, including awards from the NIH and the AMA.

See his humorous and informative autobiography on https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWFGSN2S, which chronicles how he dropped out of high school and set sail for adventure at age 15 on a schooner bound for Tahiti before bamboozling his way through college, medical school, and graduate school at MIT. As a flight surgeon during the Vietnam War, he flew F-100 jets and became the youngest Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. After the war, he turned his efforts to neuroscience as a professor at Vanderbilt and MIT, earning a bunch of awards and collaborating with Nobel laureates in brain research. Not content with one career, he launched Nashville’s first high-tech company, sailed across the Pacific with Commodore Tompkins, and built a successful music software business—while composing symphonies on the side. His later years have brought new adventures: practicing psychiatry (and how best to deal with depression and anxiety), designing a life-saving respirator during COVID, and exploring astrophysics, sculpture (and, of course, raising chickens). Along the way, he’s gathered numerous thoughts on the practice of medicine (and how it can be improved), parenting (just ask his son Russ Freeman of The Rippingtons), and the big questions of life. Now, with the publication of 'Reflections on a Life, Well ... Spent', he shares a lifetime of wit, wisdom, and

Education & Training

Capella UniversityM.A., Mental Health Counseling, 2012
AMA Institute for Biomedical ResearchPost-Doctoral Fellowship, 1967 - 1969
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyPh.D., Molecular Neurobiology, Biophysics, Computer Sciennce, 1964 - 1967
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyPh.D., Molecular Neurobiology, 1967
San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education ConsortiumInternship, Transitional Year, 1962 - 1963
McGill University Faculty of MedicineClass of 1962
Trinity UniversityB.Sc., Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude, 1958
University of California, BerkeleyNo Degree, Mathematics, 1955 - 1956

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 2010 - 2026
WA State Medical License 2019 - 2026
TX State Medical License 1962 - 2025

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

NIH Five Year Career Development Award NIH, 1972-1977
Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society Capella University, 2010
USPHS Career Development Award 1972
Award for Excellence in Research American Medical Association, 1969
Outstanding Intern / Resident Wilford Hall USAF Hospital, 1963
Sigma Chi National Scientific Honor Society 1960
University Scholar McGill University, 1958
Alpha Chi National Honor Society Trinity University
First Place Honors in Mathematics Trinity University
Full Tuition Scholarship Trinity University
Medalist in Anatomy, Physiology, Public Health & Psychiatry McGill University
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, McGill University
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Publications & Presentations

Journal Articles

Over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals
John A. Freeman, et al, Science, Nature, PNAS
Rapid arrest of axon elongation by brefeldin A: a role for the small GTP-binding protein ARF in neuronal growth cones
Hess D.T., Smith, D.S., Patterson, S.I., Kahn, R.A., Skene, J.H., Freeman, J. A., and Norden, J.J., J Neurobiol, 1/1/1999
Up-regulation of fast-axonally transported proteins in retinal ganglion cells of adult rats with optic-peroneal nerve grafts
Wouters, B C, Bock-Samson, S, Little, K,, Freeman, J. A., and Norden, J. J., Brain Res Mol Brain Res, 1/1/1998
Hess, D T, Lin, L H, Freeman, J A, Norden, J J Modification of cysteine residues within G(o) and other neuronal proteins by exposure to nitric oxide
Hess, D T, Lin, L H, Freeman, J A, Norden, J J, Neuropharmacology, 1/1/1994
Dynamics of retinotectal synaptogenesis in normal and 3-eyed frogs: evidence for the postsynaptic regulation of synapse number
Norden, J J, Freeman, J. A., and Constantine-Paton, M., J Comp Neurol, 1/1/1994
The role of GAP-43 in axon growth and synaptic plasticity in the visual system: Evolutionary implications
Norden, J. J., Wouters, B., Knapp, J., Bock, S. and Freeman, J. A., Vision and Visual Dysfunction, 1/1/1991
Possible role of GAP-43 in calcium regulation/neurotransmitter release
Norden, J J, Lettes, A, Costello, B, Lin, L H, Wouters, B, Bock, S, Freeman, J A, Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1/1/1991
Expression of the growth- and plasticity-associated neuronal protein, GAP-43, in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells
Costello, B, Lin, L H, Meymandi, A, Bock, S, Norden, J J, Freeman, J A, Prog Brain Res, 1/1/1991
Light-microscopic immunolocalization of the growth- and plasticity-associated protein GAP-43 in the developing rat brain
McGuire, C B, Snipes, G J, Freeman, J. A., and Norden, J J, Brain Res, 1/1/1988
Cloning of complementary DNA for GAP-43, a neuronal growth-related protein
Karns, K. R., Ng, S. C., Freeman, J. A. and MC Fishman, M. C., Science, 1/1/1987
Evidence for the co-identification of GAP-43, a growth-associated protein, and F1, a plasticity-associated protein
Snipes, G. J., Chan, S. Y., McGuire, C. B., Costello, B. R., Norden, J. J., Freeman, J. A. and Routtenberg, A, J. Neurosci., 1/1/1987
Regulation of specific neuronal and non-neuronal proteins during development and following injury in the rat CNS
Snipes, G. J., Costello, B., McGuire, C. B., Mayes, B. N., Bock, S. S., Norden, J. J. and Freeman, J. A., Prog. Brain Res, 1/1/1987
Evidence for the coidentification of GAP-43, a growth-associated protein, and F1, a plasticity-associated protein
Snipes, G J, Chan, S Y, McGuire, C B, Costello, B R, Norden, J J, Freeman, J A, Routtenberg, A, J Neurosci, 1/1/1987
A protein induced during nerve regeneration (GAP-43) is a major component of growth cone membranes
Skene, J.H.P., R.D. Jacobson, G.J. Snipes, C.B. McGuire, J.J. Norden, and J.A. Freeman, Science, 1/1/1986
Nerve injury stimulates the secretion of Apolipoprotein E by non-neuronal cells
Snipes, G.J., C.B. McGuire, J.J. Norden, and J.A. Freeman, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., USA, 1/1/1986
Steady growth cone currents revealed by a novel circularly vibrating probe: a possible mechanism underlying neurite growth
Freeman, J.A., P.B. Manis, G.J. Snipes, B.N. Mayes, P.C. Samson, J.P. Wikswo, and D.B. Freeman, J. Neurosci. Res., 1/1/1985
Stereological methods for quantitating synapses
Norden, J.J., and J.A. Freeman, Acta Stereologica, 1/1/1984
Real-time optical imaging of naturally evoked electrical activity in intact frog brain
Grinvald, A., L. Anglister, J.A. Freeman, R. Hildesheim, and A. Hanker, Nature, 1/1/1984
Optimization of a circularly vibrating microprobe to measure minute biological currents
Freeman, J.A., Proc. Int. Physiol. Gong., 1/1/1983
Magnetic measurements of action currents in an isolated lobster axon
Wikswo, J.P., J.P. Barach, S.C. Gunderson, J.O. Palmer, and J.A. Freeman, II Nuovo Cimeto, 1/1/1983
First magnetic measurements of action currents in isolated cardiac Purkinje fibers
Wikswo, J.P., J.P. Barach, S.C. Gunderson, J.O. Palmer, and J.A. Freeman, II Nuovo Cimento, 1/1/1983
Development of a circularly vibrating microprobe for measuring steady currents from living tissue
Freeman, J.A., and J.P. Wikswo, Biophysical J., 1/1/1982
Analysis of alpha-bungarotoxin binding in the goldfish central nervous system
Oswald, R.E., and J.A. Freeman, J. Neurochem., 1/1/1982
Measurement and interpretation of magnetic fields from action currents in a single nerve axon
Wikswo, J.P., J.O. Palmer, and J.A. Freeman, Biophysical J., 1/1/1982
A new, accurate method for quantitating synaptic number
Norden, J.A., and J.A. Freeman, Anat. Record, 1/1/1982
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Books/Book Chapters

Recovery from Neural Trauma
Chapter: Axonal and glial proteins associated with development and response to injury in the rat and goldfish optic nerve.
Page 26 - 38Freeman, J.A., S. Bock, M. Deaton, B. McGuire, J.J. Norden, and G.J. SnipesEditors: G. Gilad and M.Schwartz.Springer- Verlag1985
Comparative Neurology of the Optic Tectum
Chapter: Neurotransmitters in the optic tectum of nonmammalians.
Page 469 - 546Freeman, J.A., and J.J. NordenEditors: H. Vanegas.Plenum Press, New York1984
Contemporary Stereology, Third European Stereology Symposium
Chapter: Methods and correction factors for quantitating the number of synapses present in a given volume of brain tissue.
Page 519 - 523Norden, J.J., and J.A. FreemanEditors: W. DeHoff.1981
Specificity in Retinotectal Connections
Chapter: Cholinergic mechanisms in the formation and maintenance of retinotectal connections.
Page 321 - 327Freeman, J.A.Editors: M.V. Edds, R.M. Gaze, G.E. Schneider, and L.N. Irwin.1979
Proc. Third International Congress of Eye Research, Osaka, Japan
Chapter: In quest of the optic nerve transmitter.
Page 253 - 260Freeman, J.A. and R.E. Oswald1978
Third International Congress of Eye Research, Osaka, Japan
Chapter: A quantitative EM study of degeneration in the optic tectum of Xenopus following enucleation.
Page 320 - 326Norden, J.J., A.J.C. Ostberg, and J.A. Freeman1978
Advances in Electrophoresis
Chapter: Quantitation of brain proteins by computer analyzed two-dimensional electrophoresis.
Page 93 - 106Lutin, W.A., C.F. Kyle, and J.A. FreemanEditors: N. Catsimpoolas.Elsevier1978
Cholinergic Receptor Mechanisms
Chapter: A comparison of the binding properties of muscarinic receptor in the brain of the rat and frog.
Page 103 - 112Birdsall, N.J.M., S.H. Chung, J.A. Freeman, and E.G. HulmeEditors: .A. Raftery.Calif. Inst. Tech. Press1977
Neurobiology of Cerebellar Evolution and Development
Chapter: The cerebellum as a timing device: An experimental study in the frog.
Page 397 - 420Freeman, J.A.Editors: R. Llinas.American Medical Association/ERF, Chicago1969
Neurobiology of Cerebellar Evolution and Development
Chapter: A technique for current density analysis of field potentials and its application to the frog cerebellum.
Page 421 - 430Freeman, J.A., and J. StoneEditors: R. Llinas.American Medical Association/ERF, Chicago1969
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Abstracts/Posters

Regulation and phosphorylation of the growth-associated protein, GAP-43, in NGF-stimulated PC12 cells.
Costello, B., G.J. Snipes, J.J. Norden, S.S. Bock and J.A. Freeman, Soc. Neurosci., 1/1/1986
Regenerating optic nerve tips generate steady calcium currents.
Freeman, J.A. and J.J. Norden, Investig. Ophthal. Visual Sci., 1/1/1986
Apolipoproteins serve as markers in the CSF for demyelinating neuropathy.
Bock, S.S., G.J. Snipes, J.J. Norden, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1985
Immunocytochemical localization of a neuronal growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in the neonatal rat brain.
McGuire, C.B., J.J. Norden, S.S. Bock, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. For Neurosci., 1/1/1985
Nerve injury stimulates apolipoprotein secretion by non-neuronal cells.
Snipes, G.J., and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1985
Regenerating optic nerves produce steady currents at their tips.
Freeman, J.A., Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1985
In vitro assessment of proposed nicotinic mechanisms in goldfish optic tectum.
Langdon, R.B., J.S. Andrews, and J.A. Freeman, Invest. Ophthal., 1/1/1985
Characterization of the 37 Kd protein associated with development and injury of the optic nerve.
Snipes, G.J., C.B. McGuire, J.J. Norden, and J.A. Freeman, Invest. Ophthal., 1/1/1985
Optical recordings of neural activity in the goldfish optic tectum.
Manis, P.B., and J.A. Freeman, Invest. Ophthal., 1/1/1985
Production of a specific antiserum that binds to degenerating fiber tracts in the rat CNS.
McGuire, C.B., G.J. Snipes, J.J. Norden, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1984
Developmental program of protein expression in rat retinal ganglion cells.
Bock, S., G.J. Snipes, J.J. Norden, J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1984
Voltage-sensitive dyes signal synaptic potentials in goldfish optic tectum in vitro.
Manis, P.B., and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1984
Characterization of the 37 Kd protein associated with nerve development and injury.
Snipes, G.J., and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1984
Electric fields affect active transport of proteins in neurons.
Mayes, B.N., and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1984
Glial cells secrete specific proteins during regeneration of the goldfish optic nerve which may play a role in axon growth.
Deaton, M.A., and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1983
Optical monitoring, of neuronal activity from the intact frog tectum using a photodiode array.
Grinvald, A., L. Anglister, R. Hildesheim, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1983
Developing rat opt Li-nerves synthesize a specific set of growth-associated proteins.
Bock, S., J.J. Norden, G.J. Snipes, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1983
Analysis of proteins released by nerve sheath cells during development.
Snipes, G.J., J.H.P. Skene, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1983
Optimization of methods to measure biological currents using a circularly vibrating microprobe.
Manis, P.B., P.C. Samson, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1983
Fine-structural analysis of retinal growth cones and retinotectal synaptogenesis in vivo and in vitro.
Norden, J.J., G.J. Snipes, B.M. Mayes, and J.A. Freeman, Intl. Soc. for Develop. Neurosci., 1/1/1982
Effects of substrate charge on neurite growth, orientation, and adhesion.
Snipes, G.J., B.N. Mayes, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1982
Modification of an axonallv transported protein in toad retinotectal terminals.
Skene, J.P.H., M. Willard, and J.A. Freeman, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1982
Fine-structural analysis of retinal growth cones and retinotectal synaptogenesis .in vivo and in vitro.
Norden, J.J., G.J. Snipes, B.M. Mayes, and J.A. Freeman, Intl. Soc. for Develop. Neurosci., 1/1/1982
Cultured retinal neurite growth cones generate steady currents that might play a role in development.
Freeman, J.A., G.J. Snipes, B.N. Mayes, J. Weiss, J.J. Norden, Intl. Soc. for Develop. Neurosci., 1/1/1982
Real-time measurements of minute neuronal currents with a circularly vibrating microprobe.
Freeman, J.A., B.M. Mayes, G.J. Snipes, and J.P. Wikswo, Soc. for Neurosci., 1/1/1982
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Other

AChE activity and ACh synthesis in the optic tectum of the toad B. marinus: probable identification of and optic nerve neurotransmitter.
Gruberg, E.R., and Freeman, J.A., M.I.T. Quarterly Progress Report
1/1/1975
Optic projections of the toad (Bufo Marinus) as seen with autoradiography.
Gruberg, E.R., and J.A. Freeman, M.I.T. Quarterly Progress Report
1/1/1975
Plot D, a pseudo 3-dimensional perspective display for the PDP-12.
Lubozynski, M., and J.A. Freeman, Digital Equipment Corp. Program Library
1/1/1972
Analysis of sensory information by the cerebellum.
Freeman, J.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8/1/1967
"Psychiatrist's Personal Assistant" (Extensive Psychiatric EMR computer program)
John A. Freeman, MD, PhD
http://www.soundlabs.com/PsychiatristsPersonalAssistant.htm
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Press Mentions

Bipolar Disorder, From All AnglesNovember 1st, 2022

Grant Support

NIH Vision Research GrantsNIH Visual Study Section B1971–1996

External Links

Informative Websitehttp://www.johnafreeman.com
Psychiatrist's Personal Assistanthttp://www.shrink-ehr.com
Black Diamond Sound Systems, Inc.http://www.soundlabs.com