Board of Directors
Catrina Awalt
Board Chair
Catrina Awalt grew up in San Diego, graduating from high school she went directly into the world of commerce. Awalt has lived on Catalina Island for 33 years and co-owns two local businesses — Two’s Company and Jewels of Interest. She has also served as Board Chairperson for the Catalina Chamber of Commerce. As a director of the non-profit “Avalon Beautiful” she helped to create “Old Ben” Park. She has a thorough understanding of the Avalon community and was instrumental in proposing the sales tax legislation that provides CI Health with sustainable operations funding. “It just seemed like an obvious solution to a serious problem. The island needs the hospital to thrive financially, “she commented.
Nicole Hohenstein
Board Vice Chair
Bio Coming Soon
Judy Grear
Board Secretary
Judy Grear is a retired educator. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature from the University of California San Diego and has completed over 100 units of upper division and extension courses. She assisted her elderly parents with their medical care and “values having good hospital services available.” She is President of the Board for Avalon’s Friends of the Library and Vice-President of Catalina Kid Ventures. She and her husband Dave had visited the island for 40 years and decided to move to Avalon in 2010. Known for her honesty and reliability, Grear cares about “getting things done” while collaborating with other AMDC Board members committed to the hospital and how it can better serve the community of residents and visitors.
Renee MacLeod
Board Treasurer
Dr. Renee MacLeod is a board-certified family medicine physician with over 28 years of clinical experience. She was a Resident Physician at the Catalina Island Medical Center in the summer of 1996 and has been watching the progression and growth of the medical center since that time. Dr. MacLeod considers herself fortunate to hold a seat on the CIH Board of Directors and serve as the Treasurer. Dr. MacLeod started her solo private medical office from the ground up in El Segundo, CA. After running that office in the "Marcus Welby" style for 10 years she was bought out by a large corporation and worked as a family physician in Manhattan Beach, CA for nearly 11 years with that corporation. Currently, Dr. MacLeod is employed as a Medical Director for an international medical provider and has the privilege of working remotely. She has clinical knowledge relating to patient care in today's economic climate. Possessing the skills to navigate insurance billing, patient satisfaction metrics, working as part of an integrated health care team and recognizing the importance of follow-through and follow-up are the qualities that she holds dear. Dr. MacLeod is proud to assist Catalina Island Health with its growth and is delighted to be serving the island she loves and calls home.
Jason Paret
Board Member Ex Officio
Jason Paret has an Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of Montana. Island life is not new to the Paret family, having lived in Australia, Hawaii, and islands in Alaska. Over the course of Mr. Paret’s several decades as a healthcare executive, he’s achieved significant financial improvements for his organizations. He also has important facility construction experience with two different projects, one in the amount of $20 million and another in the $50 million range. Mr. Paret (pronounced “pair–ay”) and his wife Aimee, an Avalon schoolteacher, have two children.
Trudy Saldana
Board Member
Trudy Saldana is a retired business owner with decades of experience. She has dedicated her time and attention to helping improve healthcare services on Catalina Island.
For thirty-three years Trudy owned and operated Coyote Joe’s Bar and Restaurant as well as managed properties and apartment rentals. A fiscal conservative, she has experience with profit and loss issues, management, strategic planning, logistics, and issues specific to living on the island. She was also instrumental in establishing Avalon’s first preschool named, “Preschool Learning for Avalon Youth”, (P.L.A.Y.)
Trudy has been married to her husband Joe for sixty years. Her three children were born in the Catalina Island Hospital. In fact, Trudy recalls a time when a doctor made house calls on the island. She cares about everyone receiving access to quality healthcare and effective medical treatment on Catalina Island.
She understands the medical needs of residents and visitors alike. She is focused on maintaining and enhancing the quality of medical services provided on the island. Serving on the Catalina Island Health Board is her way to give back to the community she has called home for over half a century.
Dr. John Christian Fox
Board Member
As a leader in the medical field, Dr. Fox has served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs for the University of Irvine School of Medicine. He has also shared his expertise in ultrasound on numerous task forces, panels, and boards for the likes of the American Registry of Medical Sonographers, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and the Society of Ultrasound Medicine in Medical Education. Dr. Fox is also an accomplished lecturer and editor of several medical textbooks and currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Since he first visited Catalina Island when he was 10, the island has become his family's favorite playground. Dr. Fox has shared that it is an honor for him to contribute to the health of the community by serving on the CI Health Board.
Denise Motter
Board Member
Denise’s career path as a CPA, attorney, and Bench Officer, has resulted in a high level of expertise in accounting and law. In addition, she has been actively involved in a number of executive positions in professional and philanthropic nonprofit organizations. Denise will bring these skills, knowledge, and drive to the CI Health board.