Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The LBJ board of directors has approved the appointment of Rowena Reid as Human Resources Director for the hospital.

Advertisement for a new HR director was closed on February 3, 2023 and there were eight applications received.

This was confirmed by Vice Chair of the hospital board, Dr Jean Anderson. “The  LBJ board worked closely with LBJ Acting CEO to screen, interview and select the new LBJ HR Director.  

 “There were a total of 8 applicants who applied. One applicant asked to withdraw [their] application. 

“Of the 7 remaining applicants, the top 3 applicants were chosen for interviews based on their qualifications including credentials and HR experience. 

 “The 3 interviews were conducted on March 3, 2023 and selection was made on the same day,” said Dr Anderson, adding that the Board and LBJ Acting CEO chose Ms. Rowena Reid as the new HR Director for LBJ Medical Center based on her extensive HR experience, credentials and qualifications.  

Ms Reid holds a Bachelors degree in Social Work from BYU Hawaii. 

 “She holds a Masters degree from Oregon State University and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from University of Southern California and previously worked for Star Kist Samoa as the manager of Human Resources for 3 years and as the Quality Management manager and in Employment Development for 5 years. 

 “She also served as the assistant personnel manager at Star Kist Samoa.

A number of the HR policies and procedures developed by Ms. Rowena Reid while employed with Star Kist HR department are still being utilized today.”

Dr Anderson said that the LBJ Board and Executive Team are grateful to Ms. Reid for accepting the offer to serve as LBJ Human Resources Director. 

 “We are also blessed to have a native Samoan who has returned home to help her people and our island.  We look forward to good things ahead for our LBJ HR Department.”

BACKGROUND

Last month the hospital board of directors terminated the services of the former HR Director, Dr Akenese Nikolao, who was moved from HR to another division of the hospital.

 Chairman of the Board Dr Malomatumua Tuiolosega in his letter to Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga, dated February 23, 2022, pointed out after a weeks long investigation into allegations regarding unfair hiring practices at the LBJ hospital, claims of violations of the rules, procedures, and policies of the hospital’s Human Resources (HR) Department, and misconduct by its former director, Dr. Akenese Nikolao-Mutini, “failings indicate that Dr. Akenese has failed to perform her duties as Human Resources Director on a continuing basis.” As a result, they had decided to termination her services.

The hospital board chairman said the former Chief Executive Officer Moefaauo William Emmsley had discovered some of these failings but chose to laterally transfer Dr. Akenese into a non-existent position, rather than take any formal disciplinary action.