With words of sorrow, faith and defiance, a respected Southeast Washington doctor yesterday protested the criminal convictions that may cost him his medical license and told a tearful courtroom audience that he will survive.

"I've learned that when you go through hell, don't stop," said Ronald Anderson, an ophthalmologist convicted in July of contempt and obstruction of justice for tampering with a witness. "I feel sorry for the people who are watching a role model in the community being torn down because of something that didn't happen."