Major Kevin Cho Tipton Receives U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion Award

Memorial Healthcare System critical care nurse practitioner received the highest honor the U.S. Surgeon General can give to civilians

Major Kevin Cho Tipton, a critical care nurse practitioner serving in the U.S. Air Force and a dedicated member of the Memorial Healthcare System ICU team since 2017, was honored with The U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion for Health Award at a prestigious ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This award represents the highest recognition that the U.S. Surgeon General can bestow upon civilians.

Major Tipton earned this accolade for his exceptional efforts during the pandemic, where he played a pivotal role in uplifting the experiences of both his patients and fellow healthcare professionals. His approach involved sharing their stories to raise awareness of the critical issue of healthcare worker burnout. Major Tipton has continued to champion the well-being of medical workers, helping them rebuild their connections with the communities they serve.

In a collaborative initiative between the Office of the Surgeon General and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., this award celebrated outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing the mental health and well-being of their communities. Reflecting on the significance of this recognition, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy remarked, "Since the pandemic began, there have been precious few opportunities to process what we’ve been through, grieve what we’ve lost, and recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond for others."

Throughout the pandemic, Major Tipton selflessly served in Memorial’s Intensive Care Units at Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Hospital Miramar, where healthcare workers faced unimaginable challenges. These included the heart-wrenching loss of up to 70 percent of their patients who required life support due to COVID-19. These patients were not merely strangers; they were neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family members of the dedicated hospital staff. In a bid to shed light on the profound loneliness, pain, and burnout experienced by healthcare workers, patients, and their families, Major Tipton took to social media to share uplifting stories about his colleagues and community.

Major Tipton's efforts garnered the attention of Dr. Murthy, leading to his valuable input being incorporated into the Surgeon General's initiatives aimed at addressing the daily challenges faced by healthcare workers and their patients.

"I am humbled to be recognized as one of only 42 Americans to receive this award in our nation's history, but I am most thankful that I was able to tell the stories of my co-workers and peers so the world could see them as the true heroes they are," expressed Major Kevin Cho Tipton. "As a proud member of the Memorial family, I am grateful to be part of a collective of caregivers that serve our community and uplift our neighbors every day."

As the Surgeon General strives to acknowledge heroic work in supporting mental health and well-being during the last few years of the pandemic, he bestowed the Medallion upon a select group of individuals and organizations who exemplify extraordinary acts of compassion, innovative mental health initiatives, and exceptional leadership in advancing the well-being of their communities. The distinguished honorees come from various parts of the country, including California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia. Notably, this event marks the first occasion where a U.S. Surgeon General has awarded the Medallion to multiple individuals during a concert celebration.

Dr. Aharon Sareli, chief medical officer of Memorial Healthcare System, also extended his heartfelt congratulations to Major Tipton, saying, "We are immensely proud of Major Tipton's accomplishments and his unwavering dedication to the well-being of our healthcare workers and the community. His actions have not only uplift our spirits but have also strengthened the bonds within our Memorial family."