http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf...andard.xsl?/base/news/10220742042284210.xmlBeatle talk may haunt Island MD
Report says George Harrison estate has complained
about interviews given by Dr. Gil Lederman
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
ADVANCE STAFF REPORT
Staten Island University Hospital's Dr. Gil Lederman
may have some explaining to do to the state Health
Department.
According to a report in today's New York Post, the
department is looking into whether Dr. Lederman
violated any confidentiality rules by speaking about
the late Beatle, George Harrison.
The gravely ill musician was Dr. Lederman's patient
before Harrison died Nov. 29.
After the ex-Beatle died, Dr. Lederman told the
Advance, "Everyone was touched by his charm and sense
of humor. He would hold your hand, he would caress
your hand, he would often make a joke or pun. He was
very sharp. If someone said the greenery was nice he
would say 'Yes, and the reddery too'."
Harrison had checked into Staten Island University
hospital in October, presumably to try Dr. Lederman's
fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery in a last-ditch
effort to stop the cancer that was killing him.
At the time, Dr. Lederman declined all media requests
for information, but after the Beatle's death, the
doctor was more open. He told the Advance Harrison's
spirituality helped him embrace what life had in
store. "He had no fear about death. He believed in the
cycle of things -- that day was because of night,
illness because of health and birth because of death,"
Dr. Lederman said. "George was someone who, in many
ways I've known for 35 years. I remember saving money,
saving pennies to buy the old 45s."
Before Harrison left Staten Island he met Dr.
Lederman's children and played the guitar for Dr.
Lederman's 13-year-old son. He played two Israeli
songs, HaTivka and Havah Nigilah and then signed the
guitar -- for what may have been his final autograph.
According to the Post, "the revealing of personally
identifiable facts, data or information obtained in a
professional capacity without the prior consent of the
patient ... is defined as misconduct."
The Post said the Health Department investigation was
prompted by a complaint from the Harrison estate that
Dr. Lederman violated confidentiality by giving
interviews about Harrison, even though no medical
information was divulged.
Dr. Lederman has never been sanctioned before, the
Post noted, saying he could now face "anything from
censure and reprimand to a license suspension or
revocation."
Dr. Lederman was unavailable for comment.
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