Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a release issued Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 to the local press, the LBJ Medical Center Board of Directors took issue with a recent article published by Talanei News. The board wrote “it appears that there are material misstatements regarding the services provided by Dr. [Jean] Anderson.”

Quoting A.S.C.A. 13.0104(3-4) “the American Samoa Medical Center Board of Directors is provided with the power and duty to ‘ensure that the Medical Center employs well-qualified, competent staff; and to ensure that all Medical Center facilities and equipment are kept up-to-date and in good condition’,” the board wrote.

“In fulfilling that obligation, the Board of Director’s has sought out the help of expert advisors, this includes the hiring of Ms. Anderson as an Independent Contractor with the original title of Executive Director, now holding the title of Chief Operations Officer. She is not an employee, is not occupying a career service role and does not receive the benefits of an employee.

“During Ms. Anderson’s tenure as Executive Director it became clear that her role needed to encompass additional tasks and deliverables, to help fulfill the Board of Director’s obligations. This led the Board of Directors to change her title and direct that she report to the Chief Executive Officer to facilitate an efficient and timely resolution to emergent issues.

“In the published article it is presupposed that this change in title equated to a new contract and/ or a new career service position being filled without advertisement. However, that did not occur; no new contract was awarded and no new employees were hired by the Board of Directors.

“Instead, the Board of Directors has fulfilled its obligation to ‘ensure that the Medical Center employs well- qualified, staff; and to ensure that all Medical Center facilities and equipment are kept up-to-date and in good condition’ by utilizing the services of a previously hired consultant in the role of Chief Operations Officer, at no additional cost to the Medical Center.

“The change in title only solidifies the role Ms. Anderson was already playing and provides authority for her within the organization.

“Additionally, there seems to be a misunderstanding regarding the nature of the Board of Director’s authority; it appears that there is an assumption that the Board of Directors does not have a duty or obligation to control the operations of the Medical Center. This is fundamentally false.

“By statute “[a]ll powers and duties vested in the Medical Center shall be exercised by the Board.” A.S.C.A. 13.0104. This includes ultimate determinations regarding personnel, procurement and the daily operations of the Medical Center.

“To suggest that the hiring of experts and consultants regarding matters of Medical Center operations is beyond the authority of the Board of Director’s is inaccurate at best and is done purposefully to undermine the organizational reforms that have been accomplished.

“In the eyes of the Board of Directors the issue at hand is larger than the hiring of a single independent consultant, it goes to the core of our mission to improve the Medical Center and the quality of care provided to the people of American Samoa.

“The public is more than aware that for many years the Medical Center has not operated as it should. The Board of Director’s cannot and will not tolerate the status quo; it is detrimental to the organization, its’ employees and the people of American Samoa.

“The Board of Director’s will exercise the authority it has been provided by the Fono to make the necessary changes. This will include the hiring of new employees; the hiring of consultants to provide advice on the operation and management of the Medical Center, as deemed necessary; and it will include education and training opportunities for existing employees.

“It is fully acknowledged that articles such as the one recently published will continue to arise. However, the loud voice of the minority who are interested in maintaining the status quo based on worries over their personal positions of power and authority will not deter the Board of Directors from taking the steps necessary to improve the Medical Center and the quality of care provided to our people.”

The release was signed by Chairman of the Board, Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega.