We hosted an intimate gathering at our satellite clinic on the Avalon TK – 12 School campus in July 2026 to honor the late, multi-term Avalon Mayor Ralph Morrow and recognize the lasting impact he had on Catalina Island’s children and families.
Mayor Ralph Morrow was a steadfast champion of our school-based satellite location in Avalon, where generations of local children have received essential oral health care for nearly 40 years. For most of those years, until his passing in 2024, Ralph was a trusted advocate and welcoming presence for everyone who visited the clinic, including members of our team who traveled from Long Beach to provide care.
During the brief program, CDHC Board President Dr. John Blake reflected on Ralph’s longstanding commitment to our clinic and the Avalon community, sharing stories that illustrated his generosity, leadership and willingness to help whenever and wherever he was needed.
“Thinking of Ralph just makes me smile,” Dr. Blake shared. “He was just one of those people that, when you met him, you were suddenly the most important person. He was your host, your guide, always here when you needed him, and always in the background doing little things. He just wanted to make sure things got done for people on the island.”
The gathering centered around the unveiling of two tributes honoring Ralph and his impact: a custom memorial bench outside our clinic and a sign in the lobby dedicating it as the Mayor Ralph Morrow Waiting Room. The sign recognizes how Ralph was always there to welcome our team whenever we arrived in Avalon. Both tributes were made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Ralph’s son and daughter-in-law, Nick and Nan Morrow, who reside in Avalon, represented the Morrow family at the dedication. Nick also provided the quote inscribed on the bench celebrating his dad. The quote encourages students and passers-by to “Get off your duff and do something!” Nick shared that when he was first asked for an inspiring quote, “the language was much different because I was thinking about what he would say…” Looking at the newly unveiled bench and reflecting on his dad, he added, “I doubt he would ever sit on this bench, because he was busy!”
The program also included remarks recognizing the former mayor’s legacy from Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall and representatives of California State Senator Lena A. Gonzalez and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Both offices presented certificates to our clinic and the Morrow family.
The Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor’s Office has a long history of supporting and advocating for our efforts to improve access to oral health care in Avalon and throughout southern Los Angeles County, where we have served children and families since 1932. During her presentation on behalf of Supervisor Hahn, Field Deputy Jennifer LaMarque highlighted our important role in making oral health care accessible to Avalon families:
“We know that dental health is so connected to overall health and quality of life. Just hearing some of the accounts of the children who had some serious issues to deal with and the fact that they were able to come here – to not have to pay to go to the mainland and potentially have their parents take off work – it’s such an amazing resource. We know that Mr. Morrow was instrumental in supporting this clinic and helping make it what it is, so we also want to pay tribute to him today.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of Barbara Lieberman-Jones and Doug Jones, while the dedication also provided an opportunity to celebrate the rich history of the Avalon Clinic itself. Dr. Blake helped establish the satellite clinic in 1988 before serving as Executive Director and Dental Director of the Long Beach-based nonprofit organization for 21 years, retiring in 2024. During his tenure, the satellite clinic underwent a state-of-the-art upgrade. A new bungalow was completed on the school campus in 2012 through a capital campaign led by then-Development Director Barbara Lieberman-Jones, with transformational support from lead donor Patty Ann McKinnon, who we call our “Avalon Angel.” Patty Ann also attended the special dedication, along with our current Executive Director and Dental Director, Dr. Mackenzie Martin.
We continue to partner with the Long Beach Unified School District, Avalon TK-12 School and the local community to ensure that children and families on the island – particularly those enrolled in Medi-Cal – have access to high-quality oral health care close to home. We provide comprehensive treatment and education in Avalon on select days throughout the year. Now, these new tributes stand as a lasting reminder of Mayor Ralph Morrow’s belief in the power of community partnerships and his longstanding commitment to the health and well-being of Avalon’s children and families.
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