The Chief Medical Officer of the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Joseph Shumway, has resigned effective yesterday.
A memo from the CEO of the LBJ Hospital, Dr. Akapusi Ledua, to staff yesterday, said that Dr. Shumway has “announced his voluntary resignation as Chief Medical Officer, effective July 27, 2023 to pursue other interests.”
Dr. Ledua said, “Since his joining in February 2023, Dr. Joseph Shumway has been a valuable member of our LBJTMC team. His professional contributions have been essential to our success moving forward.
“We would like to thank Dr. Shumway for his service and valuable leadership with LBJ Tropical Medical Center during his tenure as CMO, and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
At KHJ News’ request, Dr. Shumway shared his resignation letter.
“I have voluntarily resigned my position as CMO at LBJ. I have not had a mental breakdown as has been reported. I am healthy,” he wrote.
“In the past several weeks I have developed a deeper appreciation that I am not a good fit for LBJ. It is time for me to leave so that others can take LBJ forward.
“I seek peace. Making this decision is difficult as I had hoped to eventually return to LBJ.”
Dr. Shumway thanked the staff for their work and dedication and wished them “every personal and professional success in the coming years.”
Dr. Shumway told KHJ News in giving a voluntary resignation, he is not taking any severance pay.
“To take any money would divert needed resources from the hospital and the people of American Samoa. I leave LBJ barehanded and I am at peace with this decision,” he said.
Dr. Shumway was unanimously selected by the LBJ Board back in February to be the new Chief Medical Officer.
Then Board member Dr. Jean Anderson said that Shumway would hold the position for 3 years and 6 months.
Dr. Anderson, who has since become a consultant to the board, said that Dr. Shumway was asked to come to American Samoa and assist the board and LBJ executive team on improvements both at the administrative and medical level.
She also explained that there was a succession plan to train and develop a local Samoan physician who can serve as CMO after Dr. Shumway.
Dr. Shumway was suspended indefinitely on July 11 over comments he made to KHJ News that the recent measles cases were fake, and an attempt by LBJ and the Department of Health to steal money from the US government.
He left the territory the day after he was suspended and said that his return would depend on a decision by the board.
Dr. James Sunia was appointed by the board to be Acting CMO.
