Cancer patients and family members battled the freezing
temperatures Monday to wage an even bigger battle and send a
message to Bradford Regional Medical Center officials – they want
their oncologist back.

With signs saying “So why has BRMC driven out so many quality
doctors” and “Support BRMC … it has many legal fees,” supporters
took to the sidewalk across from BRMC on Interstate Parkway to
support Dr. Edward Miskiel, whose employment agreement was
terminated Jan. 10.

Last week, BRMC and Bradford Regional Medical Services filed a
breach of contract lawsuit in McKean County Court against Miskiel.
The doctor also filed a breach of contract lawsuit against BRMC and
its board of directors in Bucks County Court, claiming there were
no grounds for his termination.

“I am 1,000 percent behind him,” Anne Reed said. Reed, whose
cancer is in remission, was also part of the reception held last
month to support Miskiel.

The patients and family members described a caring man.

“If you needed two hours with Dr. Miskiel …” he would give it to
his patients, Reed said.

“I don’t care if it’s cold or not,” said Arlene Hixenbaugh. “I
am sticking up for Dr. Miskiel. He’s my savior.”

“There is no comparison with Dr. Miskiel with anybody,”
Hixenbaugh said, adding she will go to Coudersport to continue her
treatment if Miskiel is not reinstated. “He has kindness, empathy
and respect to his patients … All we want is Dr. Miskiel back
without all the politics.”

The hospital cited three issues which resulted in the lawsuit
against Miskiel – viewing sexually-oriented material on
hospital-owned computers, intentionally miscoding billing codes and
failure to maintain and complete adequate patient medical
records.

The patients backing the doctor said Monday they’ve not had a
problem with their bills being paid.

“He has a lovely family. He adores his family and has wonderful
children,” Reed said.

“We support my dad 110 percent,” daughter Sandra Miskiel said.
The 10th grader, who said she’s gotten support from her teachers
and friends, said she was prepared to stay “as long as it
takes.”

Miskiel “provides the best quality care … if that is what they
stand for.”

Her brother, Michael, a seventh-grader, was also showing support
for his father.

Mary Karrasch took to the sidewalk because her son, Dan, battled
leukemia for many years.

“I want him back,” she said of Miskiel. “These people are
fighting for their lives. They (officials) don’t know what it’s
like to hear you have one month to live.”

Another family member felt the same way.

“I think it’s really lousy he was fired,” Harry Burns said. “He
has done an excellent job.”

Burns was part of the rally in memory of his wife, Norma, who
died of cancer last month.

“She had confidence in him. She stayed here … I would have taken
here anyplace she wanted to go.”

At last month’s reception, hundreds of signatures were added to
petitions and mailed to the board of directors and hospital
administration.

Oncologist Yahya Abdul-Fadl has been covering oncology services
since Miskiel was removed.

BRMC officials issued a press release Monday morning in response
to the rally.

In addition to being surprised by the rally, the release said
officials were “saddened … we have provided the facts as we know
them surrounding the unfortunate ending of Dr. Miskiel’s employment
here and it is still difficult for some individuals to accept,”
said George E. Leonhardt, BRMC president/chief executive
officer.

“Our (court) complaint fully details all of the numerous and
costly corrective measures undertaken to remedy these issues, but
these issues will have to be decided in court,” Leonhardt said. He
declined further comment, pending the ongoing litigation.

Deborah Price, BRMC’s senior vice president of patient care
services, said the hospital’s Cancer Care Center staff as well as
BRMC Social Services staff have been on hand over the past five
weeks to assist patients, their family members and caregivers
during the staff transition.

“We understand that change is difficult but it has occurred and
we will continue to work as a team to meet the needs of each of our
patients,” Price said. “While the hospital continues in its
recruitment efforts for a full-time oncologist, we work each day
with all the departments of the hospital as well as with these
patients’ primary care physicians to continue to develop and work
toward meeting their treatment plans. The care of these patients is
of our utmost concern.”

One protester, who didn’t want to be named, offered a different
view.

“They want patients to stay here and take the stress out of
traveling … they have taken that away,” she said. “And given us
sleepless nights.”

“I am here because of him,” Reed said. “His knowledge of
cancer.”

Reed also believes her life was spared to go to bat for
Miskiel.

“I didn’t understand why God has spared me,” Reed said. “This is
what he wanted me to do, to save my doctor.”