Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Early this month, the LBJ Hospital hosted a luncheon to honor two local doctors who have completed their medical education and training at Fiji National University (FNU), and to formally send off three local medical students beginning their studies, as well as two continuing students at FNU. 

According to the government press release, the government medical scholarship program, which is coordinated through the Governor's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Special Programs Office in partnership with LBJ Medical Center – reflects a unified commitment to investing in local talent and strengthening American Samoa's healthcare future.

Special guests attending included Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, LBJ Board Member Maae Bob Tuiasosopo, Faipule Faimealelei Anthony Allen, Dr. Claire Poumele, returning doctors, departing students, and their families.

 Welcoming remarks were given by Dr. ‘Ēlia Titiimaea Ta’ase and LBJ Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Sunia, who officially welcomed the guests, especially the students and their proud families.

Governor Pulaali’i delivered special remarks, expressing his sincerest gratitude to the returning doctors for their perseverance, dedication, and decision to return home to serve their people.

He also offered words of encouragement to the students preparing to depart, acknowledging the sacrifices they and their families are making in pursuit of a profession that will one day benefit the entire territory.

“It’s nothing easy,” Governor Pulaali’i said. “It’s very important that we have a solid and able hospital — on all levels.”

He further emphasized the broader impact of a strong healthcare system, stating, “Many of our people who live abroad want to come back home, but due to limitations in healthcare and assistance, they are unable to move back. If we have a good healthcare system, people and families will be able to come back.”

The returning doctors recognized during the luncheon were:

• Dr. Jasmine Muasau, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
• Dr. Talimeli Taufetee, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

 The students who will be attending and continuing their studies are:

• June Peau, Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS I)
• Meghan Paletaoga, MBBS I
• Gillian Leziton, MBBS I
• Maturi Leilua, MBBS III
• Elisapeta Vavatau, MBBS III  

The governor reiterated that health and education are key pillars to the territory’s future, emphasizing that opportunities extended to local students are essential to driving meaningful change and long-term improvements in American Samoa.

The returning graduates, Dr. Jasmine Muasau and Dr. Talimeli Taufetee, also shared words of encouragement with the students preparing to depart for Fiji, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded in faith and remembering the purpose behind their journey. 

FNU DOCTORS VS. U.S. DOCTORS

One of the comments often heard about our ‘local doctors’ at the LBJ Hospital is that they are not doctors (MD), but medical officers (M.O.), trained in Fiji — in other words, they do not have the qualifications of an American or US doctor, and are therefore not ‘real’ doctors.

The difference between graduates of the Fiji National University (FNU) curriculum and a US doctors curriculum seems to be the difference ‘in focus’.

For a US doctor, you must complete an ACGME-accredited residency program (3- 7 years) to be licensed, often specialization is emphasized.

While for FNU graduates, a 6-year MBBS program is offered in which students can enter directly after high school (Year 13). The program is generally integrated, providing a mix of theoretical and practical training from the beginning, and is tailored to the needs of Fiji and Pacific Island nations, with a strong focus on primary care, public health, and infectious diseases. It is designed to produce "work-ready" health professionals for the region.

To become a licensed US doctor — meaning to practice in the US, FNU graduates, as international Medical Graduates (IMGs) must pass all steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and obtain Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.

FNU does not say its training or program is automatically equivalent to US standards. It also notes that its training is designed for a different healthcare context than the US system.