SHANE HOOVER
Observer-Dispatch

ROME -- Patients of the Rome doctor who allegedly sent $4 million to Iraq through a charitable organization may contact his office for information regarding their appointments and medical records.

"Dr. Dhafir's office contacted Rome Memorial Hospital and instructed us to have patients contact Dr. Dhafir's office or leave a message on its answer phone," said hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Darlene Burns in a faxed statement.

The number for Rome Oncology Care is 339-5777; the office staff was answering the phone Tuesday afternoon. Burns also recommended patients contact the Oneida County Medical Society at 735-2204.

Rafil Dhafir, 55, was arrested Feb. 26 and charged with violating the economic sanctions that have been in place against Iraq since 1990. He, along with others including SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome graduate Maher Zagha, also faces 12 counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to launder money. Also indicted were Ayman Jarwan and Osameh Al Wahaidy.

Citing Dhafir as a flight risk, U.S. Magistrate David Peebles refused to grant him bail at a hearing Feb. 28, which means his patients must look elsewhere for treatment.

How often patients see their oncologist depends on their stage of treatment. For those who have just been diagnosed with cancer, two visits a week are pretty standard, said Kathy Brodsky, director of patient and family services for the American Cancer Society in northern and central New York.

The number of visits usually drops for patients further along in their treatments, she said, and visits may come once every few months for those patients in remission.

But no matter where patients are in their fights with cancer, changing doctors, and finding the right one, can be difficult.

"As in any physician/patient relationship, we're all individuals," Brodsky said. "Someone might think their oncologist is great and make a recommendation to a friend, who then can't establish a relationship the doctor because we're all different."

Before switching doctors, patients should consult with their primary care physician and get a list of oncologists covered by their insurance company, she said.

But just finding a doctor doesn't mean the ordeal of switching physicians is over.

"It's hard to start over," Brodsky said. "It's hard to go back through your history just because it's fraught with emotion. I'm sure the patients are concerned for themselves, but they're probably also concerned for the men who were indicted. They're still innocent until proven guilty."