Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Chairman of the hospital board, Dr Malouamaua Tuiolosega is clearing the air on a number of concerns pertaining to authority of the board; recent management appointments; letters of support; the $1,000 allowance for additional meeting and the hiring of the former Vice Chair Dr Jean Anderson.

In an email to the media on Friday, Dr Tuiolosega pointed out the board is doing their duties under the Law and they are not micromanaging the hospital’s operations — the board is a governing board, not advisory under the law.

He also cited that of all the anti-board rhetoric out there, the one that is most concerning is reports that the LDS Volunteers/ US Medical Specialists, Expatriate Doctors and supporting local Doctors/Specialists and Dentists were being forced to write favorable letters and sign their names.

 “Not only is gossip by immature minds but very demeaning to these highly credentialed Medical Professionals, that they would subject their honorable selves to bullying of a Board.

“It is absolutely demeaning and shameful for a Samoan-of-culture to be thinking and saying such nonsense.”

Dr Tuiolosega said the local physicians were complaining against the changes. “They thinks themselves entitled to the be the next CMO, CEO, CFO, ND, etc. and yet have no executive training nor viable experience to do so. 

 “The public is very clear on who have been leading LBJ for many years and the results thereof. The Board is being considerate and tolerating as it is very clear in the Employee agreement behavior against LBJ by an employee is unacceptable.”

PUBLIC MEDIA

The Chairman also noted that in a democratic-republic free society it is understood that the media is to tell the truth, nothing but the truth.

 “I understand also that included is Justice, and that there is ongoing investigations so most of the evidence is held from public awareness.

 “Please note that we respect the media and per legal stance enough information was released to update the fact that there is legal process in the making as an update for the community.

 “I don't think the media's intention is of the exploitation of the human appetite for social grooming? — I don't know,” said the Chairman.

ASMCA BOARD OF GOVERNANCE

Dr Tuiolosega said all powers and duties vested to the Medical Center, is the responsibility of the "Governing" Board of Directors, according to the Law. 

 “It is a governing board and not an advisory board. O le "Komiti Fa'afoe", 'e le 'o se Komiti Faufautua. I think the people needs [sic] to read the Law and decide for themselves. 

 “For the longest time the Board has been the number-one problem and even cited for [sic] many the number one in non-compliance."

ALLOWANCE

 “The decision to compensate an allowance in a recent board decision is based on the massive work the board is responsible for that was not in accordance to a functional Organization and must be addressed with urgency — e.g., HR, Finance, Maintenance, Support Services, Ancillary, and center to it all — Medical Doctors, Nurses, Patients and their families.

 “The law only covers quarterly meetings, at least once a quarter, and that is the compensation noted.

 “With the massive responsibility the Board has no choice but to meet weekly, with subcommittees (usually 1 or 2 with an Executive) meeting twice/weekly sometimes more (including Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, etc.). 

 “Realizing the Board also needs accountability of itself, we have started quarterly "Board development & Strategic planning" - the first one I, as Chairman, started, 1st day 4-hour presentations, 2nd day 4-hour updates from all Heads of Departments (Saturday).

 “The media is welcome to join in for the 2nd quarter session. It will be good PR for the public to know the updates on problems and solutions on each department of LBJ.”

He said the board has been doing this active role and has not been compensated.

 “Since I took over as Chairman and ever more as the former-Executives the Board was [sic] hopeful but removed for not perform[ing] their noted credentials true [sic].

“There is a big difference between what one claims on paper and what is actually performed in tangible results.

 “Decision for an Allowance since last mid March: — it's a Board decision authorized under the Law.

 “You tell me public opinion, would you step up to such responsibilities, to brain storm for viable & feasible solutions to make key decisions directly and in-directly effecting human life — for $416.66 - $500.00 a month?” asked the Chairman.

He said that as an employee, he is forgoing lucrative business and committing more time with LBJ.

 “Services as a Provider for Social Security Administration, Veterans Examination Services disability assessments for our Veterans, International SOS, Tri-Care Overseas out-patient care for Active Military SM's, Tri-West care for Veterans, not to mentioned our local community & ASG claims — I am months behind and those I serve know as I am now hard to find open.

 “Perhaps the public needs to know that I have to borrow my wife's truck (needs a fixing) to make it to Board meetings, Senate & House subpoenas, etc. and 2 (two) other Board Directors have to catch a ride, be dropped off, or sometimes catch a Taxi.”

Dr Tuiolosega then made a comparison.

 “The Hospital Board Directors in the US averages $80,000.00 yearly in some studies, some even higher at $130,000 yearly.”

POLITICS

According to Dr Tuiolosega, their Board Directors and Executives will say it to the public, that he is not a politician and thus doesn’t make promises as what they face are responsibilities that need actual solutions and not promises. 

 “I lead this Board knowing that the challenges we face are responsibilities to analyze and decode and not promises to yearn for.

 “Under my lead the need of our hospital will be my responsibility as Chairman to address accordingly. It is a complex statement made, but so is the life of a child, mother, father, etc.

 “This is my final say on the "Artificial Intimacy" being aired out in the Public, as it seems there are a few Leaders in Government who are NOT listening to what the real Medical Professionals serving LBJ are saying and writing public letters for.

 “The health and life of the people is not a place for politics, and please follow the Law. NO two Directors can be replaced in one year as their terms are staggered. To appoint 2 Directors to serve 2-year Terms, isn't that against the Law?” he asked.

The LBJ board chair is pointing to Dr. Jean Anderson and himself both being replaced as board members in the same year; and in this case the same month.

Dr. Anderson’s term ended on Mar. 30, 2023 (last Thursday) and she has been replaced by Dr. Aifili John Tufa; while this past week, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga nominated Dr Patrick P. Pedro to replace Dr. Tuiolosega whose term expired March 2, 2023.

DR JEAN ANDERSON

Legal Counsel to the LBJ  board, Thomas Jones issued a statement citing confusion in the hiring of Dr Anderson.

 “There seems to be some general confusion regarding the Executive Director position.”

He said it appears that there is the misconception that the Executive Director is an employee of the Hospital. 

 “That is not the case.  The Executive Director is not an Employee of the Hospital.  The Executive Director is a consultant/ adviser hired by the Board pursuant to A.S.C.A. 13.0102(5), and 13.0104. 

 “The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors.  This is a fee based hourly consultant position and is expressly not a career service position. The Executive Director receives no benefits, sick leave or vacation.”

Furthermore Jones noted the Executive Director's unique qualifications, appear to have lack of recognition of the fact that Dr. Anderson not only has substantial professional credentials, working as a consultant, evaluator, grant writer, and program developer for local and federal agencies for over 15 years.

 “She also has been managing numerous initiatives on behalf of the Board for the past two years.

 “If the Board were to hire a consultant with equal credentials not only would the contract likely cost more on an hourly basis, the Board would also incur additional costs both in terms of time and capital.

“It would take months to bring an unfamiliar consultant up to speed on the Hospital's ongoing projects and partnerships which are actively being developed.

 “The cost of such delays cannot be quantified. As the public is aware, the Hospital is going through significant and meaningful transformations.

“The Board is not willing to lose momentum on these projects and initiatives.

“The status quo that our population has experienced, with regard to the Hospital, will not be maintained. 

“The American Samoan people are entitled to excellence in the Healthcare they receive from the Hospital and the Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that the Hospital will rise to that standard.”