ASMC Board selects Dr. Akapusi Ledua as new LBJ hospital CEO

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Medical Center Board has selected a new Chief Executive Officer for the LBJ Medical Hospital, according to an internal general memorandum, dated July 14, 2023. It states the appointment of Dr. Akapusi Ledua followed “an extensive selection process that considered both on island and off island candidates.” 

The internal memo, of which Samoa News was able to get a copy, states that “candidates also included existing LBJ staff” — allowing that “this has resulted in the selection of an internal candidate.”

It notes that Dr. Ledua is “well known and respected within the LBJ and the community” and that he “brings to the position years of experience in profound knowledge and wealth of capabilities in the healthcare industry.” It points out that Dr. Ledua joined the medical center as a physician almost 20 years ago.

Dr. Malouamauau Tuiolesega, Chairman of the ASMCA Board of Directors, who signed the memo, wrote, “I have confidence that the selection committee had undoubtedly rendered an impartial, thorough, and excellent choice for such a demanding position.”

He asked that directors, chiefs, managers and LBJ staff “please join me in congratulating Dr. Akapusi Ledua in his new and challenging roles as Chief Executive Officer and likewise, I respectfully ask all staff to extend to him your usual support, patience, and cooperation.”

Samoa News asked Dr. Tuiolesega for comments regarding Dr. Ledua’s selection.

He began by highlighting that “selecting a CEO to lead guidance by the (LBJ) Governing Board according to the law requires an individual with very special skills and mindset. “Someone who understands the difference between Sympathy and Empathy.

“Someone with extreme focus in the heat of chaos.

“Someone who works in silence, 'e le tautua pa'o, but will speak his mind.

“Someone who has deep understanding in finance and can dissect a financial statement in detail.

“Someone who intuitively experiences patient needs.”

The Board chair said, “It is no secret that Dr. Akapusi Ledua fills these criteria well, plus more.”

Referring to the needs to the LBJ Medical Hospital, Dr. Tuiolesega pointed out that the current hospital building and model-of-care system was built “50-plus years ago for a projected population of 30,000 when the majority of the population were [sic] within 15-29 years old, healthy and strong.” He said very little has changed from that time.

“The Federal Government buil[t] it, managed it for a few years and then handed it over to American Samoa to continue, with very little training over time,” he commented.

“For example, the only PTAN [Provider Transaction Access Number providers] ... to bill CMS [were] Dr. Saleapaga and Dr. Musgrave. The current Board under my lead soon found this out and understood why LBJ TMC has NOT been able to sustain itself, and basically [has been at] rock-bottom for the last 10 or so years.

“We also realized the leaders before us had little understanding of healthcare laws both local, national, and globally.”

Dr. Tuiolesega told Samoa News that they “were also fortunate to interview very special applicants whom we will be asking to join us [to] carry our hospital into the 21st century, as we need more quality leads in other key sectors of operation.”