The doctor is in: Friedman returns

by Janjeera Hail

After a month-long medical leave, Dr. Samuel Friedman is back at the Cancer Center of Guam.  The island's only licensed discussed what the future holds for the facility.

When Dr. Samuel Friedman left on October 16 for medical leave, the fate of the island's only cancer center looked to be in serious jeopardy.  Friedman was exhausted from the uphill battle he'd fought with the Guam Board of Medical Examiners to provide an emergency license for a temporary replacement, and with his blood pressure skyrocketing he was unsure whether he should even come back when his trip was over.

In the meantime, he enlisted the help of Dr Olivia Cruz to oversee the day-to-day operations so that patient care wouldn't be interrupted.  "If the patient was stable according to Dr. Cruz and fell between these limits go ahead and give chemotherapy and if there was any problems to call and email me and I was getting daily calls and emails just checking to be sure that they should give chemotherapy to patients and it basically worked very well," he said.

Fortunately, Friedman had a change of heart and announced that he would be returning; today marks his first day back.  The physician also says that he's recruited some help and expects to have another oncologist join him at the Cancer Center by the end of the year.

"I think the staff at the Cancer Center are first-class and as good as anyone anywhere, but at least with another doctor to shovel the load I think we can spend more time with patients and a little bit less hectic," he stated.

Friedman is diving right back into work with a full schedule. And as cancer patients breathe a sigh of relief that they can continue to receive treatment on-island, it's business as usual at the Cancer Center of Guam.