Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga has established a Healthcare Workforce Development Advisory Council to address healthcare workforce shortages, training needs, and professional development for American Samoa.
According to the executive order, there is a need to provide expert guidance and recommendations to improve training, recruitment, and retention of healthcare professionals in the territory.
The council is charged with reviewing territory wide policies, programs and activities to better establish a robust pipeline for nursing and healthcare careers. It is also to develop any internal bylaws and operating procedures as necessary to carry out the duties described in the order and gather and analyze information and produce an advisory plan for the Governor.
The action plan is to include a comprehensive analysis of current and future workforce challenges impacting the healthcare sector, including recruitment, retention and employee burnout; educational and training pathways to create a more diverse, equitable and sustainable healthcare workforce and recommend solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education and training.
The council shall provide its action plan for review and approval by the Governor by the end of the year.
The Council is to be chaired by the Governor’s Chief of Staff and members are:
- Department of Health Clinical Director
- Department of Health Behavioral Health Nurse
- American Samoa Medical Center Authority (LBJ) Human Resources Director
- American Samoa Medical Center Authority (LBJ) Recruiter
- Department of Human and Social Services Director
- Department of Human Resources Deputy Director (WIOA)
- Department of Education Deputy Director of Instructional Services
- Department of Education Career & Technical Education Health Science Program Director
- Department of Education HOSA State Advisor
- American Samoa Community College Vice President of Academic, Community, and Student Affairs
- American Samoa Community College Nursing Program Director
- Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor
- American Samoa Workforce Development Board Chairman
- American Samoa Department of Education Scholarship Board member
