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Now give your mama a kiss, Jackson. She just bought you a hospital.
Catherine Fox to Jackson Avery

Catherine Fox (formerly Avery) is a world-class urologist. She is an attending at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a part-time staff surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Her husband is Richard Webber and her son is Jackson. She's also the founder and current board chairman of the Catherine Fox Foundation.

History[]

First Penile Transplant[]

Catherine Avery first came to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital when she performed a penile transplant on Ryan. She presented the case at grand rounds and then set all the residents up in a lab to see who would win the chance to assist her in the OR. Jackson and Meredith were the last two standing and scrubbed in to assist, along with Mark. When Meredith had to step out in the middle of the operation, April, who was observing and who had helped retrieve the graft, was selected to step in. When April suctioned too aggressively, Mark and Jackson had to harvest a new vein to graft blood flow. The surgery was finished successfully and Ryan was pleased with the end result. ("Love, Loss and Legacy")

Bladder Reconstruction[]

Catherine returned to Seattle to help reconstruct the bladder of Irene. They'd used her own stem cells to grow a bladder that her body wouldn't reject. The surgery went well and Irene's urinary incontinence was resolved. She brought along her fellow, Mara Keaton, with the hopes of getting more information about Jackson's personal life. Jackson figured out her plan and refused to tell Mara anything. ("One Step Too Far")

Founders of Medicine Benefit[]

She originally planned for Jackson to be her date to the benefit, but he backed out and convinced Mara also not to attend. She tried to get Richard to attend with her, but he also declined, feeling disloyal to his wife. ("One Step Too Far")

Oral Boards[]

Catherine was a proctor at the oral boards the same year her son was taking them. ("Moment of Truth")

Jackson was rattled because he could hear her through the walls as he was trying to concentrate on his test, after finding out that she had slept with Richard the night before.

Catherine later told Richard that she'd checked with some of her friends and found out that one of the Seattle Grace doctors didn't pass. She worried that Jackson had failed because he was traumatized by what he'd seen. ("Let the Bad Times Roll")

Scrotal Lymphedema[]

Catherine returned to the hospital again to treat Bryan Greenberg, who had scrotal lymphedema. During that visit, April also avoided her because she knew Catherine would figure out she'd been having sex because she was obsessed with April's sex life. ("I Saw Her Standing There")

Purchasing the Hospital[]

After a conversation with Richard Webber regarding their primary investor, Julian Crest, falling through, Catherine Avery, along with the Harper Avery Foundation, decided to contribute the necessary funds to purchase Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. As a caveat, however, Catherine wanted a representative of their choosing to sit on the board as chairman and selected her son, Jackson Avery. ("This is Why We Fight")

Richard believed that it was too much responsibility for Jackson to handle, but Catherine assured him that Jackson could handle it as he's an Avery. She gave him tips to help him and he ultimately stepped up to the challenge. ("Transplant Wasteland")

Richard's Accident and Recovery[]

When Richard was electrocuted, Catherine came to the hospital and immediately criticized how his case was being handled. Catherine wanted to move him to another hospital, but he'd listed Meredith as his medical proxy, so she didn't have the authority. ("I Want You With Me")

She later believed his recovery was being hindered by the staff at the hospital, whom she said were coddling him because they love and fear him. She was impressed when she saw Richard demanding that his staff treat him as they would any other patient. ("I Bet It Stung")

Richard's Birthday[]

On Richard's birthday, Catherine told him she'd be around, so he assumed they'd be doing something for his birthday, like a party. They later went to get dinner and she led him into his surprise party. ("We Gotta Get Out of This Place")

Cristina's Harper Avery Award Nomination[]

Catherine presented the Harper Avery Award the year Cristina was nominated. However, the award was given to someone else. ("Go It Alone")

She later told Richard that Cristina had the votes, but had lost because of the Harper Avery Foundation's interest in the hospital. They didn't want it to look like she won simply because the Harper Avery Foundation owns the hospital. ("Change of Heart")

Birth and Death of Samuel[]

When she learned April was pregnant, Catherine came to visit Seattle to see her and Jackson. While she was there, there was an explosion at a mall. When she saw April worried about the state of the world and raising her child in it, she told April that the world changed by good people raising their babies right and told April she'd be okay. ("Fear (of the Unknown)")

When April and Jackson learned that their baby had osteogenesis imperfecta and was in pain as his bones were already breaking, Catherine came to Seattle and told April to set aside a day, during which they'd induce labor and she'd have him baptized right in the hospital room, then she could hold him until he died. ("All I Could Do Was Cry")

Penis Amputation[]

When Thomas Archibald came into the hospital after his wife cut his penis off upon finding out he was cheating with his sous-chef, Catherine, who was in town for a conference, was called in to re-attach it. The reattachment was successful, but shortly thereafter, his penis was cut off again. The second re-attachment was also successful. ("Crazy Love")

New Chief[]

When Owen Hunt stepped down as Chief of Surgery, the board needed to vote in a new Chief. ("Time Stops") Richard suggested Miranda Bailey, but Catherine insisted that she go against an outside candidate of her own choosing. ("You're My Home")

She brought in Tracy McConnell, but Miranda Bailey ultimately won and was named the new Chief of Surgery. ("Sledgehammer")

April's Second Pregnancy[]

When she found out April was pregnant again, Catherine came to Seattle. She spoke to April about her own experience with pregnancy and the seemingly peaceful conversation led April to extend an olive branch to Jackson. However, Catherine revealed to him that she had talked to April to get proof that April had committed fraud so they could go after her. ("When It Hurts So Bad")

She tried to get Jackson to make a case for getting sole custody once the baby was born, but instead, he tried approaching April peacefully, which worked. ("I Wear the Face")

Richard's Get-Together[]

When Catherine planned a visit to Seattle, Richard planned a small get-together with a few friends. However, she surprised him by showing up a week early, saying she couldn't wait to see him. ("At Last")

Visiting the New Baby[]

After April gave birth to her daughter, Catherine came to visit them both. She was delighted to hear they'd named the baby Harriet but dismayed to learn the baby's last name wasn't Avery. When she questioned why they couldn't hyphenate, Jackson told her they had. The baby's last name was Kepner-Avery. ("Undo")

Re-Working the Residency Program[]

Catherine came to the hospital to meet with Bailey about Alex. She believed Bailey was being too lenient and wanted Bailey to replace Alex. At the end of the day, Bailey took a stand and said she wasn't going to fire Alex. Catherine said that was fine, but then said too many people had gotten second chances and she wondered why they needed them in the first place. She wanted to work on the surgical residency program to return it to its former glory. ("Roar")

As a solution, she hired Eliza Minnick. ("Why Try to Change Me Now")

When Catherine came back to check on Bailey's progress, she was shocked to hear how resistant the attendings were to the change. She offered to let Bailey release her on them if she needed. ("None of Your Business")

Richard learned that it had been her decision to hire Eliza to replace him, making him feel betrayed. ("It Only Gets Much Worse")

Fight with Richard and Jackson[]

While working together at the hospital, Catherine butted heads with both Jackson and Richard over what she had done. They continued to fight as they treated a patient together. ("Civil War")

Jackson Finding His Father[]

Catherine watched Harriet for a few days while April and Jackson went to Montana for a case. While Jackson was there, he met up with his estranged father and made peace with him not being around. When Jackson returned to Seattle, he thanked his mother for everything she'd done for him. ("Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?")

Press Conference[]

Catherine attended the press conference about Meredith and Nathan's work on the plane. ("Don't Stop Me Now")

Hospital Fire[]

When Catherine learned about the hospital fire and Stephanie being taken by a rapist, she called Bailey, Richard, and Eliza into a room and questioned how it happened and why it took so long to find Stephanie. Eliza told her about forgetting to tell the cops about Stephanie being missing because she was following protocol and evacuating patients. This upset Bailey, who fired Eliza on the spot, saying they had no room for someone who didn't know when to violate protocol. She didn't want a place that churned out surgical robots. She wanted their program to raise surgeons. Catherine started to object, but Bailey said she was the chief and she'd made her decision. ("Ring of Fire")

Harper's Visit[]

Harper and Catherine came to town to look over the expenditures at the hospital as part of the renovation after the fire. After reviewing the numbers, Harper wanted to pull out the Harper Avery Foundation funding. Bailey explained to him why he shouldn't do that and he agreed not to pull out, but then he fired Bailey instead. Catherine told Bailey she'd go to bat against Harper for her, but before she could, they found Harper dead in the conference room. ("Go Big or Go Home")

Harper's Funeral[]

After Harper's funeral, which she said was full of people saying only positive things about Harper, Catherine and Richard had a family dinner with Jackson and Maggie, at which she revealed that Jackson was inheriting millions of dollars from his grandfather. ("Ain't That a Kick in the Head")

Harper Avery Awards[]

When Meredith was nominated for a Harper Avery Award, Catherine invited her, Maggie, and Zola to join herself and Jackson on a private plane to Boston for the ceremony. Catherine was annoyed when Meredith instead stayed behind to treat a patient. At the ceremony, Catherine presented the award to Meredith and Jackson accepted it on her behalf and gave a speech about the loss she'd overcome. ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story")

Bailey's Hospitalization[]

When Bailey was hospitalized for a heart attack, Catherine brought food and beverages to the hospital for Richard and Ben. ("(Don't Fear) the Reaper")

Vaginoplasty[]

Catherine came to the hospital with her friend, Michelle Velez, so Michelle could pitch to them a project idea, using herself as a patient, for a new technique for vaginoplasties as part of gender-confirmation surgery. After the proposal, Catherine was upset because Jackson wanted to work on a different project instead. She had Dahlia Qadri write up a proposal for the vaginoplasty as well as Jackson's other idea. Jackson was convinced to choose to work on the vaginoplasty. ("Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger")

On the day of Michelle's surgery, Catherine and Jackson were fighting about him seeing Maggie, so Michelle started to back out. She refused to have the surgery until her surgeons were both on the same page and ready to focus on her because she only had one shot and wanted it to go well. Under her gaze, they worked out their disagreement. Catherine admitted that she didn't want it to affect her own relationship, which is why she was worried about it. Then they operated together and it went well. ("Caught Somewhere in Time")

Tending to Richard[]

When Richard sat by Olive's bedside while she died, Catherine took him food and drinks and sat with him for periods of time. ("Beautiful Dreamer")

Harper Avery Lawsuit[]

When an NDA signed after a lawsuit with Harper was preventing Amelia from getting access to research from Rebecca Froy, Jackson had the legal team waive the NDA, after Catherine told him it was a minor spat over some research. However, she later told Richard that Jackson had ruined them. ("Beautiful Dreamer")

Catherine immediately started to do damage control to protect the foundation as more allegations came to light. ("Judgment Day")

As word spread that Harper Avery had assaulted multiple women, Catherine hired Erin Mason to do crisis management. She suggested creating good PR by having Jackson do a charitable surgery and then having someone take the fall. Because she'd signed the settlements with the women, Catherine suggested herself, over Jackson and Richard's objections. With Erin's help, she drafted a statement taking the blame, but then Jackson and Meredith interrupted the meeting and showed her a statement they'd written in which they pledged to re-train and re-hire all the affected women under a new foundation, in Catherine's name. ("Bad Reputation")

Alex and Jo's Wedding[]

On the day of Alex and Jo's wedding, Catherine was part of the group that went to the wrong wedding. When they realized what had happened, they all rushed to get on a ferry out to Bainbridge Island. After the wedding planner ended up having an allergic reaction to shrimp and was sent to the hospital, the wedding party and guests then boarded a ferry, where Alex and Jo were married by Meredith. Catherine also ordered food to Jackson's place so the party could continue there. ("All of Me")

Helping Richard[]

During her visits to Seattle, Catherine continued to spend time with Richard, which he enjoyed and said helped him sleep a lot better. ("With a Wonder and a Wild Desire")

Cancer Diagnosis[]

Catherine had neck and back pain for weeks. When it became intolerable, she had some scans run, which showed a large spinal tumor. She called Koracick and Meredith to LA under the guise of a VIP patient. When they arrived, she showed them the scans and then told them she was the patient. They did a biopsy to look for cancer, which they found. The tumor was very aggressive, which worried Tom. Catherine talked about all the things she had survived and challenged Tom to help her survive this. ("Anybody Have a Map?")

When she found out that Meredith had told Maggie about the diagnosis, she fired Meredith from her team and advised her to keep away until the fury passed. ("Help, I'm Alive")

Uma Paxton[]

Catherine had been working with Uma Paxton, who had a recurrent vaginal tumor. She developed a surgical technique that would allow Uma to keep her uterus, preserving her fertility. However, when they operated, the tissue proved to be too friable, forcing them to perform a hysterectomy. Catherine was upset because she had told Uma she could do it and failed. After the surgery, she told Uma, who cried. ("Help, I'm Alive")

Surgery and Recovery[]

The day came for Catherine to have her surgery. Before her surgery, Jackson played "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and they had a dance party in the OR. Then she was put under. Despite having to change the surgical plan to remove the tumor in pieces and open her from the front as well as the back, she woke up after surgery. When they told her they'd had to leave a small piece of the tumor behind, she said what was important was that she'd live. She'd need frequent scans to check on the tumor and would live with cancer probably for the rest of her life, but she'd be able to live that life. ("The Winner Takes It All")

After her surgery, Catherine had trouble accepting help. She hired a physical therapist, Marsha, to give her some exercises she could do to get herself back to normal. However, she felt Marsha was condescending and resisted her help. After weeks of physical therapy, she finally felt able to do things by herself. On Valentine's Day, she and Richard were able to reconnect sexually. ("Girlfriend in a Coma")

Party[]

To celebrate her doctors and her survival, Catherine had Jackson throw a party, though she said she didn't want a large one. However, on the day of the party, she avoided going, saying she was hesitant to celebrate because she still has cancer and it's not over. Bailey convinced her to go to the party anyway and celebrate her life because she still has it. They went to the party, but before they could even finish toasting, a plastic pan accidentally placed in the oven forced a building evacuation. Catherine then decided to take Richard, Jackson, and Maggie to get some food, establishing a new tradition for after every scan she had to get, good or bad. ("We Didn't Start the Fire")

Caleb Hicks[]

Catherine was brought in for the case of Caleb Hicks, who had lost his penis and scrotum in an accident. The surgery was scheduled, but then it came out that Caleb didn't have the support system in a fiancée as he had claimed, as he'd actually broken up with her. Catherine canceled the surgery over his objections but later agreed to do it after he talked to Owen and reunited with his fiancée. ("The Whole Package")

Insurance Fraud[]

Catherine came in unexpectedly to have a meeting with the insurance provider for the hospital employees after they believed they had a case of insurance fraud on their hands. After talking to the insurance company for over an hour, Bailey called Andrew into the room to ask him about Gabriella Rivera and her time at the hospital. He told them he had been the one to put down Ellis's name on the insurance forms and she accompanied him to the hyperbaric chamber so he could tell Meredith what he'd done and apologize. ("Drawn to the Blood")

Due to the fraud that had taken place, Bailey and Catherine looked into Gabby's case themselves. When Gabby's cancer was found to be stage 2, they told her father it was highly treatable and survivable and Catherine pledged that the Foundation would cover all her treatment and associated costs, so he wouldn't have to worry about that. She also shared that she had cancer and was living with it.

Later, Catherine and Bailey had a meeting with Meredith, who confessed what she had done. Alex and Richard then came in and confessed their parts in it, so Bailey fired all three of them. ("Jump Into the Fog")

As a result of Bailey firing three of their best doctors, Catherine decided to hire Tom Koracick to oversee all the Catherine Fox Foundation doctors, including Grey Sloan Memorial. Bailey was irritated at having Tom be above her, but Catherine said it was what she felt she needed to do after what Bailey did with Meredith, Alex, and Richard. ("Nothing Left to Cling To")

Return to Seattle[]

Catherine came back to Seattle and was working at Grey Sloan again. When she got a call that Richard's niece was at Pac-North, she went over there, where she saw Richard sitting with Gemma. Richard tried to explain to Catherine, but she said he was saying a lot for someone who didn't do anything wrong. Later, she talked to Gemma and said they were always looking for accountants for the Fox Foundation and had openings all over the country, though none in Seattle. She returned to wait with Richard and Chris until Maggie came out and informed them that Sabi had died. Catherine led Richard to help call the rest of the family. ("Papa Don't Preach")

Family Dinner[]

When Catherine and Richard decided to separate, they invited Maggie and Jackson over for dinner to tell them. A wrench was thrown into their plans with Jackson invited Vic, who in turn brought Dean. An awkward dinner ensued. At the end of the dinner, they announced that they were separating. ("The Last Supper")

Richard's Presentation and Illness[]

Catherine gathered with others at the hospital to watch the livestream of Richard's presentation of his PATH pen. She noticed something was wrong immediately when he mentioned fine-tuning his presentation with her help, which had not happened. They watched as he continued to present without making sense. They then watched as Maggie and Cormac led him off the stage and then the feed was cut. ("Love of My Life")

Catherine flew to Los Angeles and then she and Richard flew back to Seattle. Back at the hospital, she reassured him that he'd be okay and told the doctors, including Jackson, they needed to work harder to figure out what was wrong with him. ("Sing It Again")

After two weeks of testing and research, the doctors hadn't come up with a diagnosis other than Alzheimer's that fit his symptoms, so Catherine decided just to take him home. As they were leaving, Richard mentioned that his feet were tingling, which Meredith noted was inconsistent with the Alzheimer's diagnosis. She ran an EMG, which showed nerve degeneration, which meant his symptoms were physical as well as mental. They planned a nerve biopsy, but before they could do it, Andrew came into the OR and desterilized the instruments. He then told them Richard likely had cobalt poisoning from a hip replacement he'd had in Boston three years prior. He was immediately taken into surgery to have the old hip removed and replaced. Link found that the hip joint had broken down significantly, allowing the cobalt to leech into his body and cause all his symptoms. Link cleaned out the old hardware and replaced it. After his surgery, Richard was stable and back to normal. Catherine said she was having a bed brought in so she could spend the night, but Richard said he didn't want her to because of what she'd done, despite her having been by his side during his hospitalization. ("Put on a Happy Face")

Covid-19 Pandemic[]

About a month into the pandemic, Catherine came to Seattle to have a budget meeting with Maggie. She considered the amount of money Maggie was asking for unreasonable, but the two of them vented together about the circumstances they were in and how it was all out of their control. She also met with Bailey about budget issues. Then she fired Koracick and hired Richard in his place, which helped lead to their reconciliation. ("The Center Won't Hold")

Andrew's Death[]

When Andrew died, Catherine comforted Richard as he made plans for a memorial service, as they were unable to hold a funeral due to the pandemic. Later, when Richard confessed to struggling with everything, Catherine told him her latest scan had shown that none of her cancer had grown. She encouraged him to look for the good things. Later, Catherine attended Andrew's memorial service with Richard. ("It's All Too Much")

Kidney Autotransplantation[]

When Irene Davis came to the hospital with a kidney stone, Catherine did a lithotripsy to break up the stone and remove it. When she tried to remove the scope afterward, Irene's ureter came with it, forcing them to convert to an exploratory laparotomy. The remaining ureter wasn't long enough to re-attach it to the kidney, so she had to remove Irene's kidney and then do autotransplantation to preserve her kidney function. ("Breathe")

Jackson Taking Over the Foundation[]

After putting together a proposal for free COVID testing and treatment, Jackson and Alma sent that proposal on to Catherine for her consideration. Catherine told Jackson she'd resist the proposal when revenues improved, though he knew by then it would be too late. At the end of the day, he asked her why she never took him to protests or got involved on the ground floor. She tried to defend herself, but he was annoyed at all the barriers that were keeping people from getting the help they needed. She told him he sounded like his father, which he didn't think was necessarily a bad thing, a comment that upset her. ("Sign O' the Times")

After a visit with his father, Jackson came to Catherine and told her he wanted to take over the Foundation and change its purpose to put money toward helping the most marginalized people. Catherine was initially shocked, but later told Richard she was proud of Jackson. ("Look Up Child")

Maggie and Winston's Wedding[]

Catherine attended Maggie and Winston's backyard wedding. When Bill Pierce and Antoinette Ndugu opposed the wedding, it was postponed until April 2021. Catherine later attended the proper wedding. ("Someone Saved My Life Tonight")

The Webber Method[]

When Richard took back over as residency director, he decided to employ what he called The Webber Method. Catherine was reluctant, but eventually agreed. The idea was to allow the residents to operate on several patients who needed cholecystectomies, with the schedule staggered so the attending could rotate through and be available during the most complicated part to help. Despite one complication, the day went through successfully and thirteen patients were treated. ("With a Little Help From My Friends")

When Levi made a mistake in surgery which resulted in the death of Devon Gomez, an M&M was assembled to discuss how his death could have been prevented. Catherine came to the M&M to support Richard. At the same time, The Webber Method was suspended and was under review. After the M&M, Catherine told Bailey it was up to her if The Webber Method would continue or be permanently discontinued. Bailey decided it would be discontinued. ("Living In a House Divided")

Richard called Levi every day, which he told Catherine he would continue to do until Levi called him back or returned to work. After making an error with a patient one day, Richard came home and said that because of that error and the situation with Levi, he wanted all of his faculties tested and said he would stop operating if his skills didn't pass muster. ("Put the Squeeze On Me")

Kidney Xenotransplant[]

When Nick Marsh came to Seattle to do a kidney xenotransplant, Catherine sent him a private jet and a stretch limo to bring him to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. ("Put It to the Test")

Residency Probation[]

When the surgical residency program at Grey Sloan Memorial was put on probation, Catherine came to Seattle and told Bailey she needed to make sure all the residents would say positive things about the program before she attempted to hire staff to cover the surgeon shortage. She was angered when Bailey instead told Jordan Wright to go back to Mayo Clinic because if the program were shut down, he wasn't guaranteed to get a replacement residency spot and she cared about his medical education. Catherine was further angered by Meredith's decision to leave Seattle to take a job of her own at Mayo Clinic and berated Meredith over it until Addison told her to stop. At the end of the day, Catherine was shocked when Bailey put on her coat and said she was taking a vacation. ("Should I Stay or Should I Go")

Catherine stayed in Seattle had breakfast with Helen Anderson at the Medical Accreditation Council in the hopes she could help them saved the residency program. At the end of the day, she came to the hospital because Meredith had called her after Richard accidentally ingested a marijuana-infused drink Catherine had left in the fridge. Richard questioned why she would have that temptation in their house for him. She told him it was for her pain, as her cancer had progressed. ("I'll Cover You")

Cancer Treatment[]

Catherine began chemotherapy treatments at Grey Sloan Memorial as part of a trial Richard got her into. Richard sat with her during her treatments, reading about various clinical trials and looking for anything with promising results. While in treatment, she began speaking to Simon and Kristen Clark. After he began to think Catherine might be continuing treatment only for him, he told her if was okay not to. She assured him she didn't want to stop treatment. ("Stronger Than Hate")

While undergoing these treatments, Catherine forced her loved ones to eulogize her in life, saying it wasn't fair to have to wait until she was dead to hear them say nice things about her. When she learned that her cancer was responding to treatment, meaning she was no longer dying from cancer but living with it, she and Richard decided to take a sabbatical so they could travel together. ("You Are the Blood")

Months later, after their routine, Catherine had a scan, which showed her tumor was 2 millimeters bigger than her scan two months prior. Tom reminded her that at the last scan, it had grown and she promised to consider more treatment if it grew more. She and Tom reviewed some studies, but she decided not to seek more treatment and also refused to tell Jackson and Richard, despite Tom's pleading, saying she didn't want it weighing as a dark cloud over them. ("When I Get to the Border")

While Catherine was in Seattle to do a penile placation graft on Gerald Lien, she finally told Richard that her cancer was progressing. ("Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves")

Maggie's Departure[]

Catherine came back to the hospital on Maggie's last day. When she learned that Richard had implied that Maggie was too ambitious, Catherine reassured her that that wasn't a bad thing and that she'd gotten the best of both Ellis and Richard. ("Mama Who Bore Me")

Catherine Fox Awards[]

Catherine took a group of Grey Sloan surgeons to Boston with her on her private jet. On the way, they hit severe turbulence, which left them all shaken. ("Wedding Bell Blues")

At the awards ceremony, Catherine had Meredith talk to the rich donors who had come to the event. She was shocked when Meredith told one donor that what they believed about Alzheimer's was false and his money was being wasted on research that was built on that premise.

Later, she announced Meredith to present the Catherine Fox Award. Instead of giving the award for a surgical achievement, they awarded it to Bailey for her efforts to continue to train doctors in reproductive healthcare despite the significant challenges. ("Happily Ever After?")

In the aftermath of Meredith's revelation, Catherine sent her jet to bring Meredith to Seattle, where she told Meredith she'd done some damage control and would only continue funding Meredith's research if she stuck to the plaque research. After thinking about it, Meredith agreed, satisfying Catherine. ("We've Only Just Begun")

Relationships[]

Romantic[]

Robert Avery[]

Catherine was married to Robert Avery, who is the father of Jackson. It was revealed that he tried to take Jackson across the country away from Catherine, but she wouldn't put up with it and sued him for parental rights. He is currently estranged from Jackson. ("I Wear the Face")

Richard Webber[]

When Catherine returned to the hospital for a bladder transplant using a bladder they had grown from scratch, Catherine openly flirted with Richard. Initially, he flirted back with her because he considered it innocent. When Jackson ditched her as her date for a benefit, Catherine asked Richard to be her date and he agreed. However, that evening, he told her he was afraid he couldn't accompany her because his wife was in a home with Alzheimer's. Adele didn't recognize him anymore and he missed talking to her and laughing with her. He didn't feel like a man anymore with Adele, and Catherine's flirting made him feel like a man again. That made him not trust himself to go to dinner with Catherine. She told him he was a good man and they hugged, after which he left to go see Adele. ("One Step Too Far")

They met again at the boards, where they both were examiners. They had dinner together and he confessed he hadn't seen Adele in a long time, as it only seemed to confuse her more. They continued their flirting and after she got the check, they ended up kissing in her hotel room. He hesitated before progressing, but a loving look from Catherine convinced him to proceed. Jackson found out about their night together when he came to her room to ask for his lucky pencil. ("Moment of Truth")

Richard and Catherine didn't regret their night together. Catherine had a short conversation with Jackson where she told him she was a woman with needs. After the boards were over, during their goodbye, Catherine and Richard discovered they were both speaking at an upcoming conference. They compared agendas and made plans to stay in the same hotel. ("Let the Bad Times Roll")

They continue to develop this relationship. Following the death of his wife, Catherine sent him a box of cookies and offered companionship. ("The End is the Beginning is the End")

When it looked like Seattle Grace Mercy West was going to be sold to Pegasus Horizons, Richard contemplated moving to Boston to be closer to her. However, she suggested the Harper Avery Foundation could put up the remaining capital they needed in exchange for a seat on the board. ("This is Why We Fight")

When Cristina Yang didn't win the Harper Avery Award, Richard Webber came to Boston. He was planning to propose but questioned the foundation's decision to give the award to someone else. When Catherine admitted that she had the votes, but didn't win because the Harper Avery Foundation owns the hospital, he showed her the ring and told her she ruined it and left. ("Change of Heart")

They avoided each other during subsequent visits, but when Catherine learned that April and Jackson's baby was going to die, Richard decided to be available in case she needed him. She initially told him she wanted to be alone, but later asked him to take her home and hold her. ("All I Could Do Was Cry")

Afterward, he tried to get her to give Jackson and April space to grieve alone, but she insisted on asked Jackson how April was doing. Richard felt used, believing she'd used visiting him as an excuse to check on April. ("The Great Pretender")

When April later called Catherine to the hospital to re-attach a man's penis, Richard tried to stop her. He told Catherine she'd hurt his feelings. She said it had happened with many men before and he said that it would probably happen again, but it was worth the risk. ("Crazy Love")

When Richard later tried to propose to her on the 4th of July, she stopped him before he could get the ring out, saying he shouldn't ask without knowing the answer. However, the following Valentine's Day, she took the reins and proposed to him herself, making it a romantic gesture with candles and roses. He accepted. ("She's Leaving Home")

After a tunnel collapse botched their original wedding plans, they married in a small ceremony in the hospital chapel, with the reception following at The Dream House. Before the wedding, they argued and Catherine took off her ring, but Meredith told them to work it out because they'll never have enough time to be with the people they love. ("You're My Home")

Their relationship was strained when he learned that she had decided to hire Eliza to replace him, not Bailey. ("It Only Gets Much Worse")

After speaking with Bailey about how their lives had taken similar paths and neither of them knew how to be married at first, Catherine went to Richard and admitted she was wrong, starting them on the path to reconciliation. ("Don't Stop Me Now")

For her birthday, Richard took salsa dancing lessons and surprised her at Joe's with a dance in front of their colleagues. ("Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger")

Their relationship was strained again when Bailey fired Richard while Catherine watched. Richard was angry with Catherine for not intervening and began to avoid her at home and elsewhere. ("Nothing Left to Cling To")

Catherine came back to town to find Richard sleeping late into the day. He confirmed that he'd worked all night and came home to sleep after breakfast, leaving out that he'd had breakfast with Gemma, who kissed him and propositioned him. She told Richard to go back to sleep. ("Breathe Again")

While back in Seattle, Catherine went to Pac-North to visit Richard. However, when she asked an intern where his office was, she was upset to learn that he was in his office with a woman the intern believed to be his wife. She told Jackson about this, thinking Richard was cheating on her. Jackson tried to reassure her, but she ended up leaving for Chicago without seeing Richard. ("Let's All Go to the Bar")

Things were still tense between them weeks later. She was suspicious when she learned Richard hadn't gone to work one day, even after he told her he'd spent the day with Maggie. She said it was time for them to have a bigger talk. ("A Hard Pill to Swallow")

She and Richard hosted a dinner to tell Jackson and Maggie that they were separated, but they put it off when Jackson brought guests. After dinner, she and Richard almost stayed together when hearing a sentimental story, but she couldn't apologize. This led to them finally telling everyone at the dinner party about their separation. ("The Last Supper")

Catherine came to the hospital and sat at Richard's bedside while he was sick. When they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him, she wanted to take him home. However, as she prepared to take him home, Meredith noticed a new symptom. He was diagnosed with cobalt poisoning from a hip replacement he'd had three years prior. After he had surgery to remove the bad hip, he quickly improved and pushed Catherine away. ("Put on a Happy Face")

The two of them remained separated until after he returned to work. However, after talked to Jackson and Maggie, he went to Catherine. She fired Tom as Chief of Chiefs and hired Richard in his place. The two of them then reconciled. ("The Center Won't Hold")

Familial[]

Jackson Avery[]

Jackson Avery is her son. He gets irritated easily because she butts into his personal life. Even though he didn't tell her Lexie's name when they were dating, she revealed that she knew it and said she had her ways when he questioned her. ("Love, Loss and Legacy")

When Jackson started seeing Stephanie, Catherine walked in on the two of them having sex, giving her a bad first impression of Stephanie. After working with Stephanie on a case, however, she agreed to forget the incident and start fresh. ("I Bet It Stung")

When he eloped with April, she insisted on them drawing up and signing a post-nuptial agreement in order to protect the Avery assets. They did so, forcing themselves to confront how different their plans for their future children were. ("We Gotta Get Out of This Place")

She told April that when she was pregnant with him, she was always tired and swollen. ("When It Hurts So Bad")

She became a Grandmother when Jackson's daughter with April arrived via emergency c-section.

When Jackson visited his father, Robert Avery, Jackson realized that Robert wasn't his dad because he hadn't been involved in his life. When he got back from Montana, he thanked Catherine for everything and hugged her. ("Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?")

Parents[]

She lost her mother when she was very young. Then her father died on his way to church when she was 18, leaving her to raise her sisters on her own. ("Anybody Have a Map?")

Friendships[]

Michelle Velez[]

She and Michelle are long-time friends. ("Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger")

Tom Koracick[]

She has a history with Koracick. They flirted a little bit when they ran into each other again at the hospital and she invited him to return for lectures in the future. ("Ain't That a Kick in the Head")

Tom later told Meredith that Catherine was the one who woke him back up after his son died, reminding him that he was still alive and shouldn't sleepwalk through his life. ("Anybody Have a Map?")

Career[]

Catherine is an attending urologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is also the chairman of the board of the Catherine Fox Foundation.

She occasionally consulted at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital and performed the country's first penile transplant there. ("Love, Loss and Legacy")

In 2012, she served as a board examiner in San Francisco, CA. ("Moment of Truth") Between 2016 and 2017, Catherine Avery joined the surgical staff of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, at least part-time, as she has scheduled surgeries when she's in Seattle.

Notes and Trivia[]

  • When Catherine visits, she brings her own lab coat from Brigham and Women's Hospital. She also sometimes wears a lab coat issued from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital; however, as of season twelve, Catherine exclusively wears her GSM lab coat.
  • Catherine says she has her own ways to know details about Jackson's life.[4]
  • She used to be Facebook friends with April Kepner.[5]
  • When she was ten years old, she loved waffles.[6]
  • She hates eggs.[7]
  • Catherine is the country's foremost authority on penile reattachment.
  • Catherine's personalized scrub cap is red-orange themed with yellow florals.
  • She cut her hair in season eleven.[8]
  • She sings Diana Ross's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to calm herself down.[9]
  • She's a fan of Alice Mann.[10]
  • She hates romantic gestures.[11]
  • She has a sewing machine from her grandmother that she used to make all of Jackson's Halloween costume.[3]

Gallery[]

Episodic[]

Episode Stills[]

Memorable Quotes[]

Catherine: You had an opportunity to work with Derek Shepherd? And you turned it down, for plastics? Jackson Avery, who raised you when I wasn't looking?

Catherine (to Cristina): I don't play favorites, dear. Nepotism is for the weak.
Jackson: That's what my birthday card has always said.

Catherine (to April): I said it before, and I will say it again. You're just too uptight, baby. You need to get l-a-i-d.

Catherine: Now give your mama a kiss, Jackson. She just bought you a hospital.

Catherine (to April): Shh, shh, shh. There is a way, sweetheart. There's always a way. Now, here's what we'll do. You will choose a day. Soon. Set it aside and arrange to be induced. And you'll give birth to your beautiful little boy. And you'll give him a name and have him baptized right then and there. Then you're gonna get to hold that baby. And you'll pray for him and sing to him. You're gonna look at him. You're gonna look at him and memorize every little detail of his face. And you will do that as long as he lives. You will do that until God takes him. That's how you will do this.

Catherine: Thomas, you're getting ready to cut open my spine. I will be whatever I want.

Catherine (to Richard): It's not killing me. I'm embarrassed for you. It's one thing for you to flush your own career down the toilet. Now you want to drag her down with you? Your own child?

Appearances[]


References[]

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