He said the hospital will be fully staffed in terms of medical doctors, for the first time in many years, by June.
The new doctors include a full-time surgeon, three anesthesiologists, a pediatrician and a full-time psychiatrist.
“Probably by the end of May or beginning of June, we will be fully staffed for the first time in the longest period,” Villagomez told the Variety.
Two more general practitioners are in the process of being hired through the J1 visa program.
This is tailored for underserved areas in the U.S. like the Northern Marianas where U.S.-trained foreign doctors are allowed to practice their profession until they have transitioned to a more permanent visa program or obtain a green card, Villagomez said.
He said the U.S. State Department requires these U.S.-trained foreign doctors to leave the country for at least two years while their immigration papers are being processed.
But instead of leaving for their home countries, they are encouraged to work in underserved areas like the CNMI, other insular areas and other states.
“They have to physically leave the U.S. But the J1 allows them to serve underserved areas within the U.S. and we’re one of those places so instead of returning to their home country they can work here. These are highly qualified doctors who are just working on their immigration status,” Villagomez added.
CHC has a perennial problem with recruiting medical personnel, particularly doctors, because of the island’s remote location and the low salary levels offered here.
