Tinian Health Center resident director fired

Department of Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez fired Tinian Health Center resident director Ray Dela Cruz for still unknown reasons, according to highly placed sources.

Dela Cruz is the son of Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz and his contract was supposed to expire in April 2012.

Saipan Tribune learned that the resident director was informed by his chief of staff, Freddy Hofschneider, a day prior to the effective date of his “termination” or on Oct. 1.

Sources revealed that Dela Cruz received verbal notification from Hofschneider, citing a memorandum issued by the DPH secretary ordering the removal of the director.

Hofschneider confirmed yesterday to Saipan Tribune his appointment as acting director for 30 days. However, he refused to disclose any other details about Dela Cruz’s removal from office except for citing that the action was related to the enforcement of the new healthcare corporation. Hofschneider, who promised to provide a formal response to Saipan Tribune, said all questions now are directed to the health secretary.

Villagomez was contacted by Saipan Tribune last Friday but he has yet to respond to inquiries.

Sources privy to the issue revealed that Dela Cruz was caught by surprise on the decision of the health secretary and tried several times to contact Villagomez, but to no avail. As of yesterday, sources added that no clarification or clear reason was given for Dela Cruz’s ouster.

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. took effect last Oct. 1 and it assumed the functions and duties of Commonwealth Health Center, Rota and Tinian health centers, Women’s Clinic, Children’s Clinic, Community Guidance Center, inter-island medical referral services, and other clinics, operations and function of the DPH as may be transferred to the corporation by the health secretary.

The corporation will be headed by a seven-member board which will select a chief executive officer.

Last Thursday, then acting governor Eloy S. Inos emphasized that the corporation will be entirely separate from the function and duties of the Department of Public Health which will remain under the supervision of health secretary Villagomez and will be under the direct watch of the executive branch.

DPH, according to Inos, will handle preventive programs mostly are federally funded—a reason it was allocated a budget under the appropriation law for FY 2012.

It was in January 2009 when P.L. 16-51, Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Act of 2008, was signed. The objective was to establish a corporation to allow management more flexibility and authority to independently meet the acute and long-term healthcare needs of the people. It also aimed to increase the financial self-sufficiency of the DPH.

In an earlier interview with Saipan Tribune, Villagomez said that about 600 personnel in CHC, Rota and Tinian health centers are being absorbed by the corporation and cited that all employment contracts—including those expiring—will be kept by the corporation to ensure the smooth transition in operation.

Saipan Tribune learned that Dela Cruz’s employment was so far the only one “terminated” by the DPH secretary.