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On September 18, 2023, Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy recognized heroic work to support mental health and well-being during the last years of the pandemic. He awarded the Surgeon General’s Medallion—the highest honor he can present to a civilian—to 6 individuals or organizations who exemplify unusual acts of compassion, innovative mental health efforts, and exceptional leadership in advancing the well-being of their communities. 

The 2023 awardees were Ashanti Branch, Corey & Jennifer Feist, Kate’s Club, Alysha Lee, Reverend Eduardo D. Morales, and Major Kevin Cho Tipton.

This special evening of joy, inspiration, and togetherness featured musical performances from artists who uplift their communities, including Kishi Bashi, Aloe Blacc, Ariana DeBose, Renée Fleming, Ben Folds, Joshua Henry, Jimmie Herrod, The Lone Bellow, Chris Olsen, and Sri Ramesh, led by music director Benjamin Rauhala.

Songs for Hope builds on the Kennedy Center’s commitment to being a champion of the connection between the performing arts and health and well-being—raising public awareness about the benefits of engaging with the arts, facilitating a platform for related health and medical research, and hosting programs for the public to engage in arts-related activities for the purposes of healing