Nursing awards presented as culmination to National Nurses Week 2023

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Luaao Wasko was named Nurse of the Year as nurses with 20- 50 years of service were recognized at the Nursing Service Awards ceremony held at the DDW Cafe in Utulei yesterday, Tuesday May 16, 2023, closing off National Nurses Week 2023. The theme this year was “Nurses Make A Difference”.

Certified athletic trainer Florence Wasko congratulates her mother (right) Luaao Wasko RN, who was named Nurse of the Year at the Nursing Service Award Ceremony held at DDW Cafe in Utulei yesterday, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. [photo: Oey Ameperosa]

Recognized during the ceremony was Nurse of the Year — Luaao Wasko, RN; and Unit Manager of the Year awarded to Uluulufau S. Avegalio. Also recognized was the Intensive Care Unit as the Best Unit in LBJ with the Pediatric Clinic winning Best Clinic of the Year award.

During the awards ceremony, nurses with 20- 50 years of service were recognized as follows; Faatigafua Valusaga was recognized for 50 years of service; 40 years of service awards were presented to Simamao Tuato’o and Faatele Molesi who are both RN’s.

Nurses who made 20 years of service were also presented with an award, and they are: Tuaotala Faalilo, RN; Monika Iosefa, RN; Miriama Ioka, CNA; Peggy Uiki, CNA; Dorothy Coffin, WC and Fei Itamua, Nsg. Admin. Coordinator.

Pictured are a handful of the lovely nurses who were able to attend their awards ceremony where they recognized nurses who have been serving the territory for 50 - 20 years and also recognized nurses who had passed their NCLEX licenses and Wound Care certifications. [photo: Oey Ameperosa]

Elaime Maulupe, Associate Director of Nursing offered the opening remarks and was also the Master of Ceremonies.

Lt. Governor Talauega E. V. Ale recognized the nurses noting that during a two-day stay at the only hospital in the territory, he saw the “amazing and great dedication and service provided to him during that time, and also said that he hopes that the care he received at the hospital also extends to the other patients — regardless of identity — that require LBJ’s services.”

Pictured here with her mother, is LPN nurse, July Tuvale, who was one of the nurses recognized for passing the Wound Care certification course during the Nursing Service Awards ceremony held at DDW Cafe in Utulei on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. [photo: Oey Ameperosa]

Dr. Akapusi Ledua, acting CEO of LBJ Tropical Medical Center (TMC) was also present and during his remarks said that “they are tandemly [sic] working with a recruiting office based in Los Angeles, California to recruit Philippines’ nurses to assist in alleviating the nurse shortage here at LBJ.

Invocation and closing prayers were offered by Reverend Petaia Tumau, while the nurses from different branches of LBJ sang hymns.

Happy Nurses Week to the nurses of LBJ TMC and Samoa News thanks you all for your caring as you provide for American Samoa’s health needs.

Nurses of American Samoa present at yesterday’s LBJ Nursing Service Award Ceremony, culminating their celebration of National Nurses Week 2023, along side LBJ CEO Akapusi Ledua, LBJ CMO Joseph Shumway and Chair of the Board of Directors of LBJ TMC Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega. [photo: Oey Ameperosa]