By Karen Blackledge
SUNBURY -- Despite the cold Saturday night, about 200 people, many carrying signs and lighted candles, rallied around a Selinsgrove physician and his wife who face deportation to the Philippines as early as Friday.
Many expressed sentiments similar to those of Judy Heimbach, of Mifflinburg, who said Pedro Servano "is the best doctor I've ever had. He cared so much and showed so much compassion.
"When I was sick, he treated me like a daughter."
The tearful woman handed him a small American flag, saying, "This is your country. This is where you belong. We love you."
Dr. Servano continued to clutch the flag throughout the vigil and afterward, when he and his family hugged members of the crowd.
Before she spoke on the stage of the Cameron Park gazebo, Ms. Heimbach held up signs that read: "People Like the Servanos are What Make Our Country Great" and "We Need More People Like the Servanos Not Less."
Dr. Servano and his wife, Salvacion, were notified last month that they would have to report on Friday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials following a 17-year immigration battle.
They weren't married when they filed for visas in 1978, but had wed by the time they were granted visas and didn't mark the marital change on citizenship documents.
Christine DeHaven, the Servanos' niece from New York City, said every day has gotten easier, although she thought it would get more difficult.
It has gotten easier with "your wonderful energy and faith," the New York University professor told the crowd.
"We have some amazing attorneys who share our feelings on this and they're fighting as we speak," Ms. DeHaven said. "This mistake should pale in comparison with 24 years of community service and 24 years of raising four amazing children," she said.
She urged people to keep e-mailing and calling the offices of U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
Barbara and Dale Carnahan, patients of Dr. Servano's, held signs saying "God Bless Dr. Servano. God Bless America" and urging Mr. Specter and Mr. Casey to act.
The Servano's eldest son, Steven, 22, of Selinsgrove, said he realizes their family extends to more than its biological members.
He urged people to sign an online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/servanofamily.
Since the petition was posted Friday, more than 1,200 people, some from as far as Florida and California, have signed.
Many patients spoke about their beloved doctor.
Rich Vanslavie, of the Sunbury area, who with his daughter are patients, said: "I would take him over a million doctors. He calls at night to find out how you are doing. We have to change why this is happening. This is not right."
A woman who has been a nurse more than 40 years said: "It was a sin to think this horrible thing is happening in our country. I know we're going to have a good outcome."
A man said Dr. Servano is worried about who will take care of his patients if he is deported.
"He's the greatest," he said, as he and other speakers hugged the physician, his wife and their children, who also include Shappine, 24, of Philadelphia; Peter, 15, a 10th-grader at Selinsgrove; and Phoebe, 13, an eighth-grader at Selinsgrove.
Janice Corcoran, of Sunbury, a patient of Dr. Servano's and the vigil organizer, thanked the people for attending.
"He taught me integrity. He committed to take care of my health issues. He is the symbol of community revitalization. Thank you for the nights you called to check on me. In all those years, I never knew the personal challenge you faced. God bless you and your family."
The Servanos have renovated the old Sunbury YMCA into office space and operate an ethnic food store in the city.
A senior citizen said she was Dr. Servano's patient when he worked in Northumberland and that he still is her physician.
"I trust him with my life," she said. "We need to band together and pray."
The Rev. Ted Keating, pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Selinsgrove, of which the Servanos are members, offered a special blessing and prayer. He prayed for the family, for relief of the oppression they are experiencing and to "restore the family's tranquility and peace."
Rose Hockenbrockt, of Sunbury, said: "It seems the government will go to such an extreme. Keep them in your prayers and please fight."
Supporters displayed large American and Filipino flags.
After the vigil, some people stuck their signs in the ground alongside the gazebo.
During a break from hugging and talking with supporters who eventually moved inside the old YMCA, Dr. Servano said he has been inspired by his 2,000 patients.
"I feel strong," he said. "There has been so much support and tremendous support."
n E-mail comments to kblackledge@dailyitem.com.
