LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2025--
City of Hope ® CEO Robert Stone, who leads one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders by two top health care trade publications: Modern Healthcare and Becker’s Hospital Review. Stone was honored for expanding access to advanced cancer care nationwide, advancing breakthrough cancer research, and developing a national network of lifesaving clinical trials, and advocating for more equitable cancer care, among other accomplishments.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209216813/en/
Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare through visionary leadership and industry-wide impact. Becker’s Hospital Review’s annual list of CEO Influencers to Know highlights chief executives who are driving transformation and influencing the direction of the healthcare industry. This marks the second consecutive year Stone has been included on Modern Healthcare’s list.
“It’s an honor to be recognized among so many visionary leaders who are transforming health care for the people who need us,” said Stone, chief executive officer and the Helen and Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair at City of Hope. “This recognition represents the dedication of our more than 14,000 City of Hope employees who each day live out our values, advance our mission and change the lives of people with cancer. Our patients are the reason all of us at City of Hope continue to accelerate cancer treatment and discoveries.”
Amid a time of rapid innovation coupled with widening gaps in access to lifesaving research and care, City of Hope has transformed into a national organization that delivers cancer breakthroughs to patients across the country. Under Stone’s leadership, the organization has expanded beyond Los Angeles into Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and Orange County, Calif.; launched a groundbreaking national clinical trials network designed to make emerging treatments available more quickly at multiple care sites; and accelerated the development of advanced treatments, including immunotherapy and CAR-T, that can dramatically improve outcomes while being delivered closer to where patients live.
Stone has also emphasized a commitment to prioritizing patient survival, experience, and equitable access through policy changes. City of Hope has championed innovative reforms such as the California Cancer Care Equity Act and the Cancer Care is Different coalition, which aim to ensure vulnerable populations and Medicare Advantage seniors can access specialty oncology care.
A strong advocate for workforce development and culture, Stone has also championed talent retention, inclusion, and the cultivation of next-generation professionals, helping to build a diverse and resilient community of 2,000 leading physician-scientists and 14,000 health care professionals.
The complete Modern Healthcare ranking appears in the December issue of the magazine, with profiles of all honorees available online at https://www.modernhealthcare.com/100MostInfluential. Becker’s Hospital Review’s full list of CEO influencers to know, featuring individual profiles, can be found at: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/61-ceo-influencers-to-know-2025/.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope ™. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Robert Stone, Chief Executive Officer, Helen and Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, City of Hope, has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders by two top health care trade publications.
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2025--
A survey commissioned by UK for UNHCR explores how music brings people together across cultures, inspired by recent historical research led by Royal College of Music Research Fellow Norbert Meyn. The survey reveals fascinating insights into music’s role in helping to form social bonds, build community and develop understanding across cultures in the UK. The study forms part of the ‘Hope on Repeat’ campaign, launched by the UN Refugee Agency’s UK charity partner, to raise awareness of the hardship facing people forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine this winter.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210148651/en/
Music connects us all
Questioned on music’s role in UK society, 73% of respondents see music as a way to build better relationships between people from different backgrounds1. The survey revealed:
The survey also reports that 60% of people in the UK believe that listening to music from different parts of the world builds connection and understanding with people from different cultures 2 ― six times the number who disagree.
As well as making people feel closer to others, it’s clear that music helps respondents to feel more positive: well over half (57%) state that they have go-to songs that lift their spirits, make them feel hopeful and inspired; and close to half (49%) turn to music to help them through difficult times.
Music as a safe space
The results of the survey underline music’s role in building communities and solidarity with others.
Royal College of Music Research Fellow, Norbert Meyn, whose research inspired the survey said, “ Music travels easily across borders and does not need a passport. When people move, music moves with them, and music can also travel through sheet music and recordings. UK for UNHCR’s survey findings show that we not only turn to music as a source of hope and identity for ourselves, but we also see it as a way to actively connect with others. When shared, music can help us feel emotional warmth and human connection. Music drives a sense of community and togetherness like few other mediums.”
Streaming and social media broaden perspectives
Responses also show that the ways we now access music, across platforms ― such as Spotify, TikTok and YouTube ― help to broaden perspectives. 70% of respondents aged 18-34 believe that streaming and social media have introduced them to music from cultures they might not have heard before.
Vote for your Hope Hit
UK for UNHCR’s survey supports its ‘Hope on Repeat’ winter campaign. Hope on Repeat uses the medium of music to raise awareness of the hardship facing people forcibly displaced from their homes in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine at the coldest time of the year.
Everyone in the UK is invited to vote for their #HopeHit; the songs that bring joy, hope and inspire a sense of community. Nominations are building the UK’s definitive Hope on Repeat Playlist, a soundtrack of solidarity ― with the UK’s favourite #HopeHit announced in January 2026.
The Hope on Repeat Podcast also hears from people who have been forced to flee their homes, with the stories and soundtracks of their inspiring lives.
You can vote for your Hope Hit and listen to Hope on Repeat at https://unrefugees.org.uk/hope
Hope on Repeat guest, Syrian human rights advocate and dancer, Maysa, said,“As a dancer, I see the power of music to connect and unite every day. In a world that seems to be so divided, the UK’s belief in the power of music to unite is a real reason for hope.”
About the survey
UK for UNHCR commissioned the research conducted by Censuswide, who questioned over 2,000 people from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in November this year. The data was collected between 17.11.2025 - 19.11.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. Responses form a snapshot of UK attitudes to music’s role in building better cultural understanding and strengthening communities in 2025.
About UK for UNHCR
UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. unrefugees.org.uk
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers lifesaving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org
UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).
1 Combining responses ‘Yes - because music is a universal language’, ‘Yes - because shared music creates a sense of unity’, ‘Yes - because it breaks down social barriers’, ‘Yes - because it encourages conversation’, and ‘Yes - other, please specify’
2 Combining responses ‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Somewhat agree’
Hope on Repeat guests and Refugee Storytellers, Mariia, Maysa and Smajo (from left to right) meeting for the first time to discuss their chosen Hope Hits.
