Statement from Hospital Authority Board

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“To the people of American Samoa,

On behalf of the American Samoa Medical Center Authority Board of Directors, we would like to assure our people that the LBJ medical center is well equipped with necessary nursing staff, medical staff and support personnel to continue to provide quality care to our people.

The Board chose Mr. Bill Emmsley to fulfill the mission and vision of the Board, which is to ensure quality health care for our patients and staff, and to rebuild our LBJ medical center to a healthcare facility that our people deserve.

In order to accomplish the mission and vision of the Board, Mr. Bill Emmsley and the Board unanimously agreed that his resignation was in the best interest of LBJ moving forward.

The Board would like to assure our people that the Board will continue its mission to improve healthcare for our people and efforts to rebuild LBJ medical center to a safe and quality medical facility.

The Board has selected a long time physician for LBJ over 20 years, Dr. Akapusi Ledua, to serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ledua has demonstrated quality leadership and dedication and compassion to our people and to LBJ Medical Center. The Board looks forward to working with Dr. Ledua as Acting CEO.

It is with great confidence and honor to also inform our people that the Board has designated a newly hired physician, Dr. Joseph Shumway, to serve as Acting Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Shumway brings to LBJ Medical Center, extensive qualifications and experience, which will be a valuable asset and assist in accomplishing our mission to provide the best quality care for our patients and our staff.

The LBJ Board of Directors will provide more detailed information this week in a press conference, on improvement efforts including additional nurses and physicians, who will be joining our team soon. Good things lie ahead for LBJ Medical Center, and the Board continues to remain dedicated and committed to our people and hospital.”