Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a memorandum to LBJ staff, chiefs, directors and managers, Dr Aitofele J. Sunia, Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) has announced the appointment of an Interim Chief Operating Officer and a Deputy Chief Operating Officer, “effective immediately”.

Dated Aug. 28, 024, the ACEO states that Tommy Gabriel is appointed as ICOO and Frank Palmer as DCOO.

While the memo does not identify either men in their previous work or positions at LBJ Tropical Medical Center, both are employees of the medical center.

In previous reports about LBJ, Samoa News reported Mr. Frank Palmer as the Director of Maintenance and Facilities and Mr. Tommy Gabriel as the head of the LBJ Grants Management Division to oversee all federal grants for the hospital.

According to the memo, the appointments highlight LBJ’s “steadfast commitment to advancing operational excellence and reinforcing their strategic trajectory.”

Dr. Sunia says “the COO position is designed to streamline our operational framework, enhance efficiency, and bolster our unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier services across all facets of LBJ.”

Of the DCOO position, he states that it “provides support to and partners with the COO in the execution and management of all hands-on operations aspects and day to day functions of the hospital.”

He continued, “I am confident that together, we will further elevate our hospital’s operational efficiency while ensuring the continued delivery of exceptional care to our community.”

The Acting CEO expressed LBJ’s “gratitude for your ongoing support as we embark on this significant organizational advancement.”

In the meantime, Samoa News notes there has been no explanation as to the departure of the former LBJ CEO.

Dr. Akapusi Ledua is said to have left island last night.

The LBJ budget hearing was postponed on Tuesday to be held today, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, where the issue of the replacement of Dr. Ledua would be discussed, as well as the proposed budget for FY2025.