Catalina Island Health has announced that after nearly a decade of leadership, CEO Jason Paret will be stepping down from his position as of Sept. 30, 2025.
He will be leaving the island as he and his family plan to move to Texas. He will remain in healthcare and looks forward to starting a new business. Current Chief Strategy Officer Tim Kielpinski will take over as CEO following Paret’s departure.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish to share our sincere thanks and deep gratitude for Jason’s commitment to CIH,” said Catrina Awalt, chair of the board. “From day one, he has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of care and expand the offerings of our clinic and hospital to better serve our island community.”
Paret has spent an impressive 30+ years in healthcare. His leadership has helped organizations achieve significant operating and financial improvements. He also has substantial experience in facility construction, previously leading projects in the $20-$50 million range. Working toward a new hospital on the island, Paret has been instrumental in securing a promised gift of land, engaging a project management team highly versed in constructing and securing financing for rural hospitals, and positioning the CIH team to successfully comply with the state’s seismic requirement mandate.
Notable milestones during Paret’s time at CIH include:
- Strategic development of a relationship with University of California Irvine to provide emergency medicine specialists expanding care in its Emergency Department (2016). That collaboration evolved into a clinical affiliation between CIH and UCI Health (2023).
- Improved services resulting in Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Awards for its Emergency Department and Clinic from Press Ganey in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Awardees are in the top 5% of healthcare providers in delivering quality patient experiences. The data is collected by Press Ganey via patient surveys following each visit.
- Passage of Measure H, a wharfage fee to support the construction of the new hospital, with 71% voter support in the November 2020 general election.
- Led the hospital – and community – through the Covid-19 pandemic resulting in nearly 80% of island residents being vaccinated within months of it being available. The response was so impressive CIH was recognized with a Citizen of the Year Award from Rotary and the Harvey Cowell Business of the Year Award from Love Catalina Island in 2021.
- Purchase of the island’s only pharmacy ensuring consistency and improved access to medications for residents and patients.
- Expanded Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy offerings for the community with the opening of an offsite facility that also includes a public fitness center. The new PT/OT facility in the Atwater Arcade doubled visits in its first year compared to the hospital location. More importantly, it meant additional resources to serve island residents’ needs.
- Secured grants from L.A. Care and Measure B funds from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the face of financial issues due to uncompensated care losses.
- Established a Tele-Hospitalist program for continuity of care for its long-term care, acute care, and acute transitional care patients.
- Recognized as one of Becker’s Hospital Review “Community Hospital CEOs to Know” in 2023 and 2024
- Increased donations to the Catalina Island Health Foundation from $60,000 a year to over $2 million annually.
“I am so proud of the CIH staff and what this small hospital has been able to achieve,” said Jason Paret, CEO of Catalina Island Health. “Together, we have come a long way. I am confident that under Tim’s leadership, CIH will continue its path to sustainability and growth as the new hospital is constructed.”
Kielpinski has been with CIH since January 2024. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer for seven years at the Catalina Island Conservancy overseeing all operations in support of its conservation, education, and recreational goals. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as a Captain in the Army for 8 years. Following his military service, he held various leadership and entrepreneurial roles, including merging his IT company with another and taking it public. He is a quick study with strong leadership skills and a broad understanding of operations and construction projects – especially on the island. Kielpinski is already deeply involved in the planning of the new hospital. His ties to the Marines from the recent reconstruction of the island’s airport runway during his time at the Conservancy have already resulted in the Department of Defense’s approval for the military to participate in the construction of the hospital. Saving CIH millions of dollars.
“I speak for the entire Board when I say we have complete faith in Tim’s abilities to lead CIH into its next chapter,” said Awalt. “We are confident that under his leadership, CIH will continue on a path to financial stability and remain focused on improving the health and well-being of our community.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Paret will continue to lead the organization until September 30, 2025.
