Barbara Ann Dietrick Friedes was born on March 22, 1994, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Growing up in an Air Force family meant moving and meeting new people, experiences her family credits with nurturing her warmth and instinct for making others feel welcome.
Barbara graduated with honors from Castle View High School in Colorado and was selected by her classmates and faculty to speak at graduation. She attended Florida State University, graduating summa cum laude with honors in biology. She was a researcher, captain of the Florida State Golden Girls Dance Team, and a member of Chi Omega. At Florida State, she met Cole Friedes, who would become her husband.
As a Frost Scholar, Barbara earned a master’s degree in Clinical Embryology at the University of Oxford and completed additional research at the University of Cambridge. She earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2021.
Barbara and Cole married that year and moved to Philadelphia after matching together at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Barbara completed her pediatric residency at CHOP and became a chief resident. She planned to continue her career in pediatric oncology.
Her colleagues remember a brilliant and compassionate pediatrician who brought people together and made those around her feel noticed and important. At graduation, her peers honored her with the Frank M. Trojan IV Resident Courage Award.
On July 17, 2024, Barbara was killed while riding her bicycle home from work. She was 30 years old.
PATHS for Barbara carries forward the qualities that defined her life: compassion, courage, determination, excellence, and a commitment to helping others.