Local Doctor Cleared

Dr.Mahmaud Shirazi was found not guilty yesterday in Wicomico Circuit Court.I learned about it just after the verdict,from a friend who was present at the trial.Today,in the Storychat section of The Daily Times,there is a post from someone claiming to be a juror which states that "he DID do something to her,but there was not enough evidence".

The man has been acquitted and now he faces the daunting task of reclaiming his medical career and recovering legal expenses.I know I might piss people off and that is a risk I will take,but there is not a shred of me that believes he is capable of such a thing.Here is why...

My late Mother not only worked with him,but remained friends with him after he went to practice elsewhere and when he was looking for someone to come in and clean his private home until he found a housekeeper,my Mom referred him to me and I did work for him over a several month period in 2004.I was alone,with him,in his house,on many occasions and he was never improper or inappropriate.During that time,Shirazis partner was my physician and my Mother often went along with me to watch my child when I had an appointment,and more often than not,when I came out of the appointment,I would find Mom sitting in Dr.Shirazis office,drinking tea with him and showing off her granddaughter and just talking.

Fast forward to 2005-my Mother became very ill and was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive GI cancer.So rare,in fact,that no cancer doctor on the Shore could treat it,and Dr.Shirazi,who was her primary doctor as well as her friend,worked with cancer specialists across the bridge to treat her.Sadly,even after an extensive surgery to remove tumors,the cancer persisted and my Mothers health started to fail dramatically and when she became dehydrated from not keeping anything down,Dr.Shirazi admitted her to the hospital and butted heads with the insurance company the whole time whenever they suggested she was well enough to be released.He made his personal phone numbers available to our family members and encouraged us to call him anytime we felt the need.I cannot help but feel that without him advocating for her,she would have been sent home and went downhill alot sooner than she ultimately did.Dr.Shirazi and his efforts contributed to giving my Mother an extra few months with her family,and to stay well long enough to greet her newborn 2nd grandchild,who was born shortly before she passed away.So,in my heart,I do not think he is a "predator".

This is just my story,there are many others who also support the Doctor.One of my coworkers at my PT job,who suffers from diabetes, says he owes his life to Dr.Shirazi.I also know that the courtroom was packed with former patients and supporters.I sincerely hope he is able to rebuild his life and his career,because there are very few physicians as dedicated as I feel he is.I may be sticking my figurative neck on the chopping block but I cannot just sit idly by and not rebut the terrible things being said about someone I know is not a bad person.