“A leader is servant of the people,” LBJ Hospital’s new CEO says

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The newly selected Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the LBJ Medical Center, Dr. Akapusi Ledua says, “For me, becoming a CEO is just a different title with added responsibility, the principle of leadership is still the same — a leader is the servant of the people.”

In comments to Samoa News, in response to a query about his selection as the new LBJ CEO, Dr. Ledua said he is “excited to be part of this visionary and passionate team who is committed to provide a robust healthcare based on best practice and utilizing advanced technology to deliver healthcare that fulfills the mission of our Organization — to provide patient focused, comprehensive, high quality, cost effective health care and related services that address the health needs of our people.”

He noted that he is “honored and privileged to be appointed as the CEO of LBJ Hospital which reflects the trust that the ASMCA Board of Directors have in me to lead this organization;” adding, “I consider this appointment as a calling to serve the people of American Samoa.”

Dr. Ledua continued, “Despite the challenges we have, I am confident that with God, who is calling and providing, we can overcome these challenges and deliver the results of what I am called to do.”

He explained that “Ii the last 20 years, I have learned and understood the healthcare system in American Samoa, serving at all levels of clinical and administrative leadership positions at LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

“There are a lot of great opportunities to improve and deliver high quality and safe health care.

“Together with our ASMCA Board of Directors, Hospital Executives & Leadership, and Healthcare Advisors, we have great vision to improve our Healthcare.”

The LBJ CEO concluded his comments with a thank you to “our Government and Community Leaders for the kind advice and words of encouragement throughout my years of service in American Samoa.

“This has allowed me to continue to serve our people with love and compassion, understanding that these services are appreciated,” he stated.

Dr. Ledua, in his first public appearance as the newly selected LBJ CEO, yesterday, July 18, 2023, attended a Senate hearing held by the Health/ Hospital Committee, in the company of  LBJ CFO, Sefanaia Kaumaitotoya, HR Director, Dr. Rowena Reid, Chairman of the LBJ Board, Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. James Sunia and Dr. Jean Anderson, Executive Office for the Board.

The hearing served as an avenue to officially inform the senators of the Board’s decision to select Dr. Ledua as CEO, of which the new CEO was congratulated.

The hearing was led by Committee chair Tuiasina Dr. Salamo Laumoli. It’s main focus was to garner testimony from the LBJ officials on the resolution introduced by Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and ten other senators in support of renovating and modernizing the current medical facility instead of building a ‘mini-LBJ’.

Right now, the government’s decision stands that the $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds be split — with $100M to go to LBJ and $200M to build a new specialty hospital.

According to the Chairman of the LBJ Board, LBJ’s position is that a new hospital is not in the best interests of the territory, and supports the recommendation of the US Army Corps of Engineers report issued in 2019 to upgrade and improve the current LBJ Medical Center.

The Senate resolution recommends to Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga and the American Samoa Government they “follow the recommendations of our local medical experts and allocate the full $300 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) capital investment into the healthcare facilities of LBJ Tropical Medical Center and support their efforts to follow the recommendations of the US Army Corps of Engineers to renovate and modernize the current facility at LBJ instead of building a new hospital.”

In addition, other concerns were raised during yesterday’s hearing.

Tuiasina asked about the nursing issue — shortage — and the LBJ Team assured the Committee that the issue is being addressed.

Concerns were also raised about comments made by former CMO Dr. Shumway, to which Dr. Tuiolosega also assured this matter is being addressed as well.

Dr. Shumway was suspended indefinitely for alleged remarks he made on the radio, concerning the most recent measles emergency declaration by the DoH — claiming it was ‘fake’.