by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Dr. Sam Friedman is apologizing tonight for the choice of words he used during his recent confirmation hearing where he said "GMH is killing patients". The oncologist apologized for his choice of words that offended many in the medical community resulting in a petition to have his nomination to the Guam Board of Medical Examiners withdrawn.

Friedman said his statements should have been more tempered and should have said patients are dying needlessly. He doesn't apologize for speaking the truth and exposing corruption. Friedman went on to say, "What is important is that there needs to be sweeping changes in the standards to which we, as medical professionals, hold ourselves. There needs to be a paradigm shift in how we see ourselves in this profession. We are not here to build kingdoms and pockets of power at the Guam Memorial Hospital."

Dr. Friedman added that he sometimes speaks too aggressively, but his sole focus as a member of the GBME would be to protect patients and promote their best interests.