Moefaauo William Emmsley, who was unanimously picked by the Board of Directors of the LBJ Hospital as CEO, is no longer in holding the position.
Statements from the Board and Moefaauo say, that he and the board unanimously agreed that his resignation was in the best interest of LBJ moving forward.
The statement from the Hospital Authority Board said that it chose Mr. Bill Emmsley to “fulfill its mission and vision which is to ensure quality health care for our patients and staff, and to rebuild our LBJ medical center to a health care facility that our people deserve.”
“To accomplish the mission, Mr. Emmsley and the Board unanimously agreed that his resignation was in the best interest of LBJ moving forward.”
KHJ News points out, however, that the former CEO was locked out of his office on Friday, which was taped with yellow caution tape, and the lock was changed.
The board statement announcing Moefaauo’s resignation came out Sunday afternoon, after it met with Moefaauo late Saturday morning.
The statement announced the appointment of Dr. Akapusi Ledua, a long time physician of over 20 years, to serve as Acting CEO. “Dr. Ledua has demonstrated quality leadership and dedication and compassion to our people and to LBJ Medical Center,” said the Board.
Dr. Ledua has been Acting Chief Medical Officer.
The board has appointed Dr. Joseph Shumway to serve as Acting CMO. “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,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by Moefaauo yesterday said, “Facing tremendous outside pressures, plus growing differences between him and the board on how LBJ’s internal policies, procedures and protocols were executed daily,” afforded him with the opportunity to resign on his own volition. Upholding what he described as, “in the best interest of LBJ to advance without any further disruptions.”
Moefaauo lists an array of projects that were undertaken at the hospital during his tenure in terms of facilities, staffing, IT and others, as well as those in the pipeline, which he said would place LBJ on proper footing in the next four years, “catapulting the hospital to an elite club of high standard hospitals like state-side.”
But he says, unfortunately it would not be the case for him as he plans “to enjoy a happy retirement life, relish every private moment with his family, traveling around the world and continuing to write his autobiography.
He thanks the Governor, Lt. Governor and LBJ, for giving him the opportunity to serve the public’s interest as CEO, and gave an “immense shoutout to the competent and hardworking staff for their demonstrated professionalism and unselfish dedication, albeit a short stint.”
He concludes with a word for the media. “For media outlets who conflated and perpetuated innuendo stories without putting them in proper context, supported by substantiating facts, and confirming legitimate sources, continues to be a challenge in American Samoa and I’m in consultation with my attorney in this regard.”
Three other senior officials are reported to be locked out of their offices at the same time as the CEO and is said to be under investigation, though for what is not clear.
They are Joe Langkilde, head of the Procurement Division, Emau Amosa, Ombudsman and Malopao Akenese Nikolao, head of Public Relations.
