Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On early Friday, May 19, 2023, the LBJ Executive Team and Board presented its first batch of Emergency Medical Service Paid Time Off (PTO) payout checks to EMS employees. Prior to receiving the payout, EMS employees were asked to sign or initial an agreement, which essentially is a payment plan outlining the details of the payout, dates, and the amount to be paid out to the employee.

Samoa News understands all EMS employees entitled to the PTO, initialed the agreement before the first batch was released on Friday morning, during a special presentation by the LBJ Executive Team and Board at EMS Tafuna headquarters.

During the presentation, EMS employees were reminded by the LBJ Executive Team that although EMS has been moved to the Department of Search and Rescue, LBJ is there to support and help EMS, as they provide a vital service to the local community. 

Samoa News understands there are employees who will be getting additional checks over the next two more pay periods as the amounts owed to them were large amounts and LBJ needed to pay the total amount in increments. According to LBJ, it is spending close to $300,000 on the EMS PTO payouts. 

The accumulated hours of PTO being paid out are prior to EMS moving to the DSR, and some of the hours are from COVID.

LBJ has pointed out in the past, during then CEO LBJ Chief Executive Officer Moefaauo Bill Emmsley’s tenure that the EMS move to the DSR was not anticipated or in their plans and therefore not a part of LBJ’s current budget. The funding was simply not available for payouts.

However, in a recent letter to EMS employees, to which their ‘Payment Plan’ was attached, the LBJ acting CEO indicate that LBJ is making an effort to honor the entitlement and benefit of each EMS employee while they were under LBJ Medical Center’s umbrella. Samoa News was able to get a copy of the letter, but not of the Payment Plan.

In the letter, the Acting CEO of LBJ Tropical Medical Center Dr. Akapusi Ledua informed them that “in recognition of your hard work and commitment, I am pleased to announce that LBJ Hospital will be providing a PTO payout to all eligible employees.”

He said that this payout is intended to recognize their sacrifices “and provide some financial relief during these challenging times.”

Dr Ledua also noted in his letter that attached to it is “a payment plan outlining the details of the payout, including the dates of distribution and the amount to be received by each employee” and that it should be reviewed by each employee and initiated in the space provided to indicate their agreement with the terms of the agreement.”

By initialing the agreement, Dr Ledua explained that the EMS employee would be confirming their “agreement to the terms of this agreement.”

And “by doing so, you acknowledge that LBJ Hospital will not be held liable for anything outside of the terms of this agreement.”

He further pointed out, “I understand that some of you may have concerns regarding the payment plan going forward, particularly for those who fall below the $4000 threshold.”

“Rest assured that we have taken great care to ensure that this payout is fair and equitable for all employees, while also taking into account the financial realities facing our hospital.

 “Please note that taxes will be deducted from this payout, but we are committed to ensuring that the net amount received by each employee is as fair and reasonable as possible.

“We kindly ask that you understand that these are difficult decisions that we must make in order to ensure the continued viability of our hospital.”

 Dr Ledua concludes in the letter that “once again, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional work you have done over the past year.

“Your commitment to our patients and our community is truly inspiring, and I am honored to work alongside such dedicated and compassionate professionals.”

The letter includes LBJ Chief Financial Officer Sefanaia Kaumaitotoya as a signee.