Dr. Patrick Pedro, who has been a member of the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Medical Center Authority Board since 2023, has resigned from the Board.
In his letter of resignation to Board Chair Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele via email, he said he has decided to step down affective May 27 to allow for “new leadership and to focus on other professional and personal priorities.”
Though he didn’t mention it in his letter, he indicated in his email to the board chair that he has opted “to reconcentrate my efforts at improving the health of our people by remaining a surgeon, and to continue my role as a surgeon with LBJ to provide surgical services to our people.”
While still a member of the board, Dr. Pedro also had a contract as a surgeon for the LBJ Hospital. It’s understood that other members of the board had questioned the legality of his continued membership on the board when he was also a contractor for the hospital.
Dr. Pedro became board chairman in 2024 upon the resignation of Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega from the position.
Dr. Pedro said in his letter of resignation that serving as both a Board Member and Chair of the American Samoa Medical Center Hospital Authority (ASMCA) over the past two years has been “a profound honor.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a team committed to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving outcomes for the people we serve,” he wrote. “Together, we have navigated complex challenges, advanced key initiatives, and reinforced the hospital’s role as a critical pillar of the health system.”
He expressed confidence that the ASMCA Board will continue to build on its strong foundation and carry forward the important work ahead.
He assured that he would remain fully supportive of the Board and the organization during this transition and was committed to ensuring a smooth handover.
Dr. Pedro’s resignation leaves just three members of the board, Taimalelagi, Lydia Faleafine-Nomura and Maaelopa Bob Tuiasosopo, a recess appointment replacing Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen whose term has expired.
The statute calls for five board members, one of whom is an active or retired Medical Doctor.
