Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga has nominated Dr Victor Terenuku Tofaeono to replace hospital board chair, Dr Malouamaua Tuiolosega, whose term expires March 30, 2023.

In the letter nominating Dr Tofaeono the governor wrote, “Since graduating from Boston University, Dr. Tofaeono’s professional life has been dedicated to serving the people of American Samoa.

 “Upon completing his work at the City of Hope, he returned to American Samoa to work at Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center (LBJTMC) first as the Chief of Surgery from 1972-1978, and then additionally as Chief of Staff from 1977-1978.

 “Under his tenure the hospital increased the number and complexity of surgical procedures.

 “He re-joìned LBJTMC as Chief of Surgery, Assistant Medical Director through 2008, and later Chief Medical Officer until his retirement in 2010. “His medical expertise will make him an outstanding member of this Board.”

The move by Lemanu comes after letters of support from the hospital’s medial professionals appealing to him to reappoint Dr Tuiolosega and Dr Jean Anderson as chairman and vice chair of the hospital board.

Doctors in the Emergency room signed a letter dated March 8, 2023 titled “strong support of the current LBJ Board and administration” that was addressed to Gov Lemanu, Lt Gov Talauega E. V., Ale, Cabinet directors, Senators and House Representatives.

 “Looking at the decade-long ongoing crisis at LBJ TMC that was not resolved under the previous Board of Directors and Administrative team, we would like to express our support of the current LBJ administrative team and Board of Directors actions.

According to the ER doctors, Dr Tuiolosega has been personally involved in the recruitment of physicians and nurses at such a time that the nursing shortage was so critical leading to the nurse's walk out.

“The LBJ Emergency room is fully staffed, and that allowed us to create a non-emergency clinic to satisfy the ever growing needs of our vulnerable patients.

“Now we have top notch US board licensed physicians, narrow specialists, like spinal orthopedic surgeon, cardiologist and radiologist. Another cardiologist and a nephrologist have already signed their contracts and are on the way to LBJ TMC.

“The Board and new administration has successfully recruited and hired a high level health executive with credentials and experience way above anything that other candidates on the island may present.

On Monday the Senate approved the appointment of Dr Aifili John Tufa to replace Dr Anderson on the LBJ board. Dr Anderson’s term will end on March 30, 2023.