High Talking Chief Uso Lago’o
Pulenu’u, Faga’alu Village
Faga’alu, American Samoa 96799
Dear HTC Uso Lago’o, and all the residents of Faga’alu Village,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you and the residents of Faga’alu for your gracious accommodation of the LBJ staff and their patients during the evacuation on Tuesday morning, following the earthquake. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. Most people do not know the involvement your village had in the successful evacuation and return of patients.
The decision to evacuate the LBJ patients was reached shortly after the tsunami warning, and immediately the staff of LBJ started mobilizing patients to higher ground. The evacuation sites indicated in our evacuation plan are in the village of Faga’alu, your village. Seventy five patients, both from the patient wards and from the Emergency Room were escorted by staff (and family members) up the mountain to safety. Your village residents assisted the LBJ staff, opened their homes, even provided drinks and food to the patients (and their families) and the LBJ staff. Word had it that your aiga did a barbeque, especially to feed the patient’s and staff. There is no place in the world where over 75 patients, and over 50 staff members moving to higher ground during your morning coffee would be so graciously welcomed, and invited to stay for lunch! For your time, assistance, generosity, open homes, and open hearts, we (and our patients) are very grateful.
The evacuation of the LBJ patients was a textbook disaster mitigation that, with the assistance and generosity of the village of Faga’alu went smoothly. There were no incidents reported during the long hours that the patients and staff were away from the hospital. The LBJ Tropical Medical Center patients and staff were welcomed and accommodated quickly and with compassion by the village of Faga’alu. Everybody returned to the hospital without harm.
LBJ management and staff, while currently working for the recovery mode of the disaster, have not forgotten the kindness, and generosity of your family, and all the residents of Faga’alu Village in assisting, accommodating, and providing for the patients and staff.
Thank you so much, once again, for your spirit of alofa, and your kindness and compassion during the time of need. LBJ is proud to be hosted by the village of Faga’alu, and deeply appreciate your welcome, and assistance, both during this event, and everyday.
Fa’afetai lava!
Patricia Tindall,
Chief Executive Officer,
LBJ Tropical Medical