New LBJ training center to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The groundbreaking ceremony for the new LBJ Training Center, which has been named HC Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga Training Center took place last Friday morning.

The new $5 million training facility, which will be built on the site where the old EMS headquarters used to be situated across from the LBJ Tropical Medical Center at Fagaalu, has been in the pipeline for over two years

The ceremony started with a short service led by LBJ Chaplain, Rev. Petaia Tumau.

Members of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) were present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new HC Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga Training Center at Fagaalu. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

In his special remarks, LBJ Board Chairman Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega stated that the new training center is a vital component of the hospital's operations, as it will enable the upskilling and recertification of LBJ administrators and medical professionals in their respective medical fields.

This will enhance their skills and knowledge to keep them in tandem with the latest medical innovations implemented and utilized in medical institutions off-island, which in turn will improve the quality of healthcare services provided at LBJ.

The new training center will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology which will ensure that the training provided is of the highest quality.

The LBJ Board Chairman reiterated that the hospital is committed to provide the best possible services for its patients and the construction of this new training facility is not only a testament of that commitment, it is also a significant milestone in LBJ's continuous service to the community.

He revealed the board's ambition that the new training center will become a hub for professional development that will firmly establish LBJ at the forefront of medical advancement and best medical practices in the Pacific region.

In regards to funding for the project, Dr. Tuiolosega recounted that when the initiative was first discussed with the hospital's executives and the estimated amount needed was announced, they did not have any funds.

Instead of going the usual route by requesting funds from the government, the Board chairman opted to try on their own first to identify and secure funds for the project.

They hired a high level billing and coding consultant who worked diligently with her team going through cost reports and were able to recover some of the funds that was enough to get the project started.

The LBJ Board chairman told the gathering that there had been many challenges leading up to that morning's groundbreaking, but all the board members had supported the necessity of making the project a reality to address the problems that were hindering the hospital's services.

"From our perspective as the governing board, we cannot come down and micro-manage things," said Dr. Tuiolosega. "But we understand the lack of manpower, skills and training. So we knew that we had to step up to the plate and actually do it. The idea was to push and make it happen."

LBJ Board Director Representative Anthony Allen expanded on the chairman's remarks stating that the new training center will be available for the students of the Nursing Program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) to use for their practical sessions.

He also pointed out that the new facility will also house a Data Center for all medical referrals and treatment operations which is a must for any medical institution.

Rep. Allen also revealed that it will be used as a base for EMS ambulances that service the eastern side of the island so that emergency services can be accessed faster.

Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga in his special remarks commended the LBJ Board for being proactive and committed to making the project a reality without any monetary assistance from government.

He stated that this was the essence of public service and that all government employees should have this mindset because their priority was to serve the people of American Samoa.

Having said this, Governor Lemanu acknowledged with thanks on behalf of government, the contribution made by HC Fano Shimasaki's ancestors who ceded their family land where the LBJ hospital now stands, to the government at no cost, so that a hospital could be built for the benefit of all residents of American Samoa.

The groundbreaking part of the ceremony then commenced followed by the unveiling of the billboard with a picture depicting what the new HC Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Training Center will look like after construction.

Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga (fourth from right), LBJ Chaplain Rev. Petaia Tumau, members of the Fono and LBJ Board during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new HC Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga Training Center last Friday morning. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]