The staff and board of Catalina Island Health are focused on the health and wellbeing of this island community in the face of numerous challenges. It is the only critical access hospital in Los Angeles County. Of all the critical access hospitals in the entire state, CIH is one of 15 that does not qualify for reimbursement and supplemental payments that are crucial for hospitals and clinics around the country to survive.
Funds
Facing potential closure in 2024, CIH was able to secure a grant from L.A. Care for $2 million. Those funds helped to sustain operations for the interim. Since that time, CIH has been working to reduce expenses, increase efficiency with new systems and policies, and renegotiate contracts, while looking to partner with or to be acquired by a governmental, nonprofit, or system hospital. The right partnership or acquisition would allow CIH to receive reimbursements and apply for special supplemental payments, creating sustainability for its day-to-day operations.
CIH leadership has participated in multiple meetings with regional and state legislators to address financial inequity faced not only by CIH but also by the Catalina Island community. In-patient transfer agreements have been signed with St. Mary Medical Center and UCI Health Lakewood. Tough decisions, like the closing of The White Buffalo Thrift Store, were carefully considered before action was taken.
This has not stopped CIH from caring for or assisting its community. In the past year, the clinic experienced 5,000 visits, the emergency department had 2,400 visits and the physical therapy department had over 14,000 visits. With the help of local entities, it hosted two Island Resident Resource Fairs, brought over the mammogram mobile unit, and launched a community health talk series. For the third year in a row, its emergency department and clinic were awarded the Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Awards by Press Ganey. These awards are part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience.
New hospital
project
At the same time, preparations for a new hospital have not slowed. The state of California has mandated that all hospitals comply with stringent earthquake standards by January 1, 2030. To do so, CIH must build a new facility.
With the property across from Joe Machado Field donated by the Catalina Island Company, CIH has been working with engineering and architecture firms on the plans for a three-story hospital and clinic. The area around the hospital also includes the construction of 12 apartment units. The new hospital will have an onsite helipad, state-of-the-art emergency department, a new and expanded medical clinic with a focus on patient privacy, advanced machinery and diagnostic equipment, and chemo and other infusion therapies.
Currently, CIH is compiling studies and documents to present to the California Coastal Commission, National Environmental Policy Act, and California Environmental Quality Act. It is also preparing documents for financing with the USDA.
Fundraising
Measure H funds continue to be collected and held by the city of Avalon. A funds control/disbursement company hired by the city handles all CIH requests for reimbursement. This process ensures all Measure H funds are secure and only spent on expenses related to the new hospital.
The Catalina Island Health Foundation is coming off its best fundraising year ever, raising $2 million, the majority of which is for the new hospital. Its annual fundraiser, Catalinaville, is held at the beginning of August each year. In 2024, Catalinaville raised $725,000. All funds raised during this event will be used for the construction of the new hospital.
This year’s Catalinaville fundraiser will be presented by Gerald and Sue Vickers and Emerald Forest Products at Descanso Beach Club for an evening of music, food, drinks, an entertaining live auction and much more! Save the date and support the hospital on Saturday, Aug. 2.
About Catalina Island Health
CI Health’s primary care physicians and family nurse practitioners provide the island community with a solid foundation of care. The medical clinic is located at 100 Falls Canyon Road, Avalon, CA, up the street from Avalon’s City Hall on the bottom level of the hospital. Its hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Visit CatalinaIslandHealth.org or call 310-510-0096 for more information or to make an appointment.
The emergency room is staffed 24/7 with a UC Irvine Emergency Medicine Physician and supported by the CI Health’s laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments to meet the acute medical needs of Catalina Island’s residents and visitors. With the use of patient satisfaction surveys, patients consistently rank CI Health’s emergency services as one of the best in the nation. The hospital’s main number is 310-510-0700. For more information, visit CatalinaIslandHealth.org.
