Longtime in-patient pharmacist Raho quits CHC

Raho, who is also an elected member of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board of directors, confirmed with Saipan Tribune yesterday his departure from the public hospital. His resignation is effective Thursday, July 5. He will transfer to FHP as its regular pharmacist.

Raho began working at the public hospital in August 1996 as staff pharmacist. Three months later, he was promoted to director of the Pharmacy Section.

When the corporation took over in October last year, he was elected by his peers to represent non-physician employees of CHC on the board.

According to Raho, his resignation is not sudden as he had tendered his notice in May.

Since he retired in April 2011, he is allowed only two years to double dip (to receive both a salary and pension). With eight months remaining on that two-year period, he decided to accept a job in the private sector.

He admitted that the ongoing crises on retirement, delayed housing benefits and allotments, payroll uncertainty, and medical supplies were also factors in his decision.

Raho’s departure will leave CHC with only one in-patient pharmacist.

Raho assured, though, that the corporation is aggressively looking for his replacement. In fact, he said, there’s locum pharmacist who is interested in coming to CHC to replace him. A locum is a temporary work agreement that ranges from two to six months.

As a corporation board member, Raho said there are still a lot of things he wants to accomplish for the hospital but couldn’t do it anymore for many reasons.

“I am sad to leave them, especially in this time of ongoing struggles and challenges. I just wish all of them the very best and hoping things here at the hospital improve,” he said.

Raho described his years at CHC as a wonderful experience. “It’s been a wonderful experience! I spent a good part of my career at CHC and I had a great respect and admiration for all my co-workers. For these many years of working together, they are like brothers and sisters to me,” he said.

Pursuant to corporation law, hospital employees must elect their representative to the board of directors. With a pending legislation that proposes to remove the non-physician employees’ representative from the board, an election may not be needed for Raho’s replacement.

By Moneth Deposa
Reporter