The Island Lifeline: Catalina Island Health

Catalina Island may be best known for its scenic harbors, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back pace, but for residents and visitors alike, knowing that quality health care is just around the corner is equally vital. That peace of mind is thanks to Catalina Island Health (CIH)—the island’s only hospital and an essential lifeline for the community it serves. For more than six decades, CIH has provided critical medical services to Catalina’s approximately 4,000 year-round residents and the more than one million visitors who flock to Avalon and its coves each year. Their role goes far beyond emergency care—it’s a story of history, community investment, and an unwavering commitment to keeping Catalina healthy, despite the island’s isolation. Catalina Island Health image Formerly known as Avalon Municipal Hospital, CIH first opened on January 24, 1960, when local leaders, led by Joe Arno, recognized the urgent need for reliable medical care. Prior to that, Catalina lacked a hospital entirely for two years, relying instead on a small clinic where even childbirth and minor surgeries took place. Today, CIH is the only medical provider on Catalina and notably the only critical access hospital in Los Angeles County, as Gail Fornasiere, Director of Community Outreach for...