| Congressman Faleomavaega today expressed his sincere
appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Richard Snider and his wife Margaret
(Margy) Snider for the tremendous sacrifices they made to help the people
of American Samoa.
Dr. Snider, a recently retired General Surgeon and Margy, a registered
nurse, from the U.S. Mainland, instead of moving to their new retirement
home or taking a much deserved vacation, they bought plane tickets with
their own money and flew to American Samoa to work as volunteers at the
LBJ Medical Center. They did not accept any monetary compensation
for their work, so the LBJ Medical Center provided them with housing accommodations
and a car to drive during their three months stay in American Samoa.
Immediately after their January arrival in American Samoa, Dr. Snider
went right to work at the LBJ; he has performed over 30 surgeries in three
months, and has been providing expert medical advise to the patients and
training to the medical staff at the hospital. Margy, on the other
hand, immediately put her nursing skills to use through the LBJ’s assistance
program to the disabled children and provided expert counseling to the
parents of the disabled.
“I was just amazed when I met with the Sniders and learned about
what they have done for our people,” Faleomavaega said. “At a time
when our local government is facing serious financial problems, and the
medical and health services needed by our people are at risk, I believe
the Sniders’ arrival is truly a God sent.”
“I also read in the newspaper about a patient who wrote to the editor
about how satisfied he was with the services of Dr. Snider,” Faleomavaega
continued. “The satisfied patient went on to suggest that Dr. Snider
be retained by the LBJ for a longer period of time or until other equally
experienced doctors have been found. I am hopeful that the Sniders’
experience with our islands and people has been a rewarding one, and that
they would return.”
“Finally, I commend Chief Taufete’e Faumuina, Chief Executive Officer
of American Samoa’s Medical Center, for the expeditious handling of Dr.
Snider’s request and offer to assist and for the token assistance the LBJ
extended to the Sniders in terms of housing accommodation and local transportation.
It is rare opportunities like this that we must not let pass,” Faleomavaega
concluded. |
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