Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It has been six months since Moefaauo Bill Emmsley resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the American Samoa Medical Center Authority (ASMCA), or as often referred to simply as LBJ hospital, and the position is now being advertised, according to Acting CEO Dr. Jean Anderson, through local media as well as off-island.

Samoa News asked Dr. Anderson about her appointment as ACEO, and was told it is only until July 3, 2023, when Dr. Akapusi Ledua returns from off-island, and he will one once again become ACEO.  Dr. Ledua was appointed as Acting CEO by the hospital board soon after CEO Moefaauo resigned.

Dr. Anderson was designated the ACEO in a memo, dated June 26, and released to “All Chiefs, Directors, Managers, and Staff, LBJ” via the ASMCA Board of Directors chair, Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega.

Samoa News was able to obtain a copy of the memo, which says that ACEO Ledua delegates his authority to Dr. Anderson from June 27, 2023 until his return this coming Monday, July 3.

Samoa News did ask Dr. Anderson if it was the board or ACEO Ledua who made the decision to designate her as ACEO while he was off-island and she responded that “Dr. Ledua recommended me to serve as Acting for one week while he is away.

“When I was informed, I consulted with our Legal Attorney who advised me to seek approval from the Chairman of the Board as the Board has the legal authority to designate a CEO (in this case Acting CEO). 

“The Legal Attorney also advised [me] to consult with LBJ HR Director. 

“I contacted the Chairman of the Board, who gave Dr. Ledua approval to designate me as Acting CEO for one week. 

“The Chairman stated that he would inform the Board of this decision. 

“I spoke with our LBJ HR Director who also concurred with this and agreed with the Chairman and ACEO, Dr. Ledua,” Dr. Anderson explained.

She added, “In the past, previous Boards have taken action and designated individuals to serve as Acting CEO.  Former Board Directors have stepped in at times to serve as Acting CEO when needed.  

“Although I am no longer on the Board of Directors, I am hired by the Board and serve as a Consultant to the Board and work on duties, tasks and responsibilities assigned to me by the Board of Directors.”

Samoa News also asked whether Dr. Ledua is applying for the CEO position, to which she replied that she “cannot speak for Dr. Ledua”, and to reach out to him when he returns for an answer.

ACEO Dr. Anderson confirmed that the advertisement period for the CEO position is for 10 days, and said she is “grateful to be assisting the LBJ Board in securing a permanent CEO for LBJ over the next two years.

“My role with LBJ continues to be to help move things forward and provide continuity in the priorities and changes the Board has already put in place. 

“I have witnessed first hand the Board's commitment to improve and upgrade LBJ and I will continue to remain steadfast in this effort as long as the Board and LBJ Executive Team allow.”

According to the advertisement, the hospital (LBJ) Chief Executive Officer is accountable to the Board of Directors (BOD) for all operational and administrative aspects of planning, directing, and coordinating current operations, ensuring responsible use of fiscal, human, and physical resources to achieve its vision, mission, goals and objectives.

The CEO is charged with developing and implementing ground-breaking initiatives that will ensure high-quality and cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of the territory of American Samoa.

The CEO is under the control of the Board and reports to the board, says the advertisement.

The minimum qualifications for applicants must be a Master’s in business administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration, Health Systems Management from a U.S. Accredited Institution or a foreign degree equivalent.

Also, preference is given to a Master’s degree in medical management. Furthermore, applicants must have 15 years of progressive health executive management, including ten years in health management and administration of a specialized clinic or medical/ clinical facility.

Ame Tanielu, freelance to Samoa News contributed to this story.

Rhonda Annesley, editor contributed to this story.