In our evening news on Friday, we reported Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen disputing a statement by the Vice Chair of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center Board of Directors, saying that the selection of Dr. Joseph Shumway as Chief Medical Officer was unanimous.
The reason for Faimealelei’s objection is because, he says, he didn’t take part in the vote for Dr. Shumway.
When KHJ News asked Dr. Anderson about this, late Friday evening, she said that the unanimous vote means those that “were present, unanimously voted.” And added that “technically, if others elect out, its still unanimous for those present who voted.”
Dr. Anderson explained the basis for her statement in an email to Rep. Faimealelei, apologizing for any miscommunication her statement about the board’s decision may have caused.
She tells Rep. Faimealelei that notes from the board meeting show that “all five board members were present for the interview of Dr. Shumway.”
Dr. Shumway was interviewed first by all five board directors, as well as the Acting CEO and a nurse representing the Director of Nursing, she said.
And added that Faimealelei and Talifa asked to be excused for the other two applicants. “After all three interviews were conducted, a motion was passed and seconded and all directors present voted for Dr. Shumway,” said the Vice Chair.
Dr. Anderson told the Faipule, “I apologize, that I should have specified the board of director that remained after the interviews cast their votes and it was a unanimous decision by those that were present.”
She continued, “I’m not sure why the media informed that you were off island when you were present for the board meeting and interview of Dr. Shumway, and then asked to be excused for the rest.”
KHJ News quoted Rep. Faimealelei saying that the board went ahead and selected the CMO while he was off island, so he didn’t take part in the vote.
