By: Julius Konton
Mrs. Joana Domingo Joekai, MSN, BSN, RN, has officially resigned as Director of Nursing Services at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC), ending nearly two years of leadership during which she implemented wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening Liberia’s nursing profession, improving patient care, and enhancing accountability across the country’s premier public referral hospitals.
Her resignation, effective August 25, 2026, marks the departure of one of Liberia’s most experienced nursing executives, whose return from the United States was widely viewed as an example of diaspora professionals contributing internationally acquired expertise to national development.
In her resignation letter, Mrs. Joekai said her decision followed what she described as a prolonged period of administrative challenges that made it increasingly difficult for her to effectively perform her responsibilities despite what she characterized as a record of professional service and integrity.
She maintained that she leaves office “with her integrity intact,” emphasizing that her commitment to serving Liberia and advancing healthcare remains stronger than ever.
Armed with more than 20 years of clinical and executive nursing leadership experience in the United States, Mrs. Joekai returned to Liberia after a distinguished international career, motivated by a desire to contribute to rebuilding and modernizing the country’s healthcare system.
Holding a Master of Science in Nurse Executive, alongside multiple professional certifications, she joined JFK Medical Center with the objective of introducing international best practices in nursing administration, leadership development, quality assurance, workforce management, and patient safety.
Her appointment came at a critical period for Liberia’s health sector, which has continued rebuilding following years of civil conflict, the devastating 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic, and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Liberia was among the countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak, recording more than 10,600 confirmed, probable and suspected Ebola cases and over 4,800 deaths, exposing significant weaknesses in the country’s healthcare workforce and infrastructure.
Since then, successive governments and development partners have invested heavily in strengthening health systems and expanding the healthcare workforce.
As Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Joekai oversaw nursing administration for Liberia’s three major national referral institutions:
John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital
E. S. Grant Mental Health Hospital
JFK Maternity Hospital
Together, these institutions provide specialized healthcare services for thousands of Liberians annually and serve as teaching and referral centers for patients from across the country.
During her tenure, she led reforms focused on:
Strengthening nursing leadership and supervision;
Improving professional accountability and workforce discipline;
Expanding continuing professional education;
Enhancing patient safety protocols;
Raising clinical standards and quality assurance systems;
Promoting mentorship and professional development; and
Improving collaboration among nurses,
physicians and hospital administrators.
Healthcare professionals credit these initiatives with improving staff morale, strengthening institutional systems, and reinforcing professional standards within Liberia’s nursing workforce.
According to the WHO, Liberia currently has one of the lowest health-worker densities in the world, underscoring the importance of investments in nursing education, workforce retention and institutional leadership.
Mrs. Joekai explained that the turning point in her tenure followed allegations that she had announced confirmed Ebola-positive cases in Liberia during an Ebola preparedness training session.
She categorically denied the allegation and stated that she fully cooperated with an investigation conducted by the Liberia National Police.
According to her resignation letter, investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing, effectively clearing her of the allegation.
However, she stated that despite presenting the official police clearance and seeking reinstatement, she did not receive the responses she expected.
She further disclosed that she was subsequently informed of a secondment, which she formally challenged before ultimately deciding that resignation represented the most appropriate professional course of action.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her departure, Mrs. Joekai emphasized that her resignation should not be interpreted as criticism of the Government of Liberia.
Instead, she reaffirmed her confidence in the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., expressing support for the government’s efforts to strengthen governance, improve public service delivery, expand opportunities for qualified Liberians, and build stronger state institutions.
She also expressed appreciation for the confidence President Boakai has placed in her husband, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., Director General of Liberia’s Civil Service Agency, describing his public service as one rooted in patriotism, integrity and commitment to institutional reform.
Mrs. Joekai reaffirmed that her family remains fully supportive of his efforts to modernize Liberia’s civil service and contribute to the government’s national development agenda.
Colleagues describe Mrs. Joekai as a transformational healthcare leader whose influence extended beyond management into mentorship, capacity building, patient advocacy and professional development.
Her departure has generated considerable discussion within Liberia’s healthcare community, with many observers highlighting the broader importance of creating enabling environments that attract and retain highly qualified Liberian professionals returning from the diaspora.
The World Bank estimates that remittances and diaspora engagement continue to play a significant role in Liberia’s socio-economic development, while returning professionals have increasingly been recognized as important contributors to institutional reform, skills transfer and public sector modernization.
Healthcare experts note that experienced nursing leaders remain essential to improving health outcomes as Liberia continues implementing reforms aligned with the Universal Health Coverage agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Although stepping away from her current role, Mrs. Joekai says her passion for healthcare leadership remains undiminished.
She reaffirmed her commitment to advancing nursing excellence, strengthening healthcare systems and improving patient care wherever opportunities arise.
In her farewell message, she thanked nurses, physicians, healthcare workers, patients and the Liberian people for the privilege of serving alongside them.
She also wished the John F. Kennedy Medical Center continued success in fulfilling its mandate as Liberia’s leading national referral hospital.
Mrs. Joekai’s resignation closes an important chapter in Liberia’s healthcare leadership. Yet many within the medical profession believe her contributions in strengthening nursing governance, promoting professional excellence, and championing quality patient care will continue to influence the country’s healthcare system for years to come.
