Musicians On Call Named 2025 Insperity Community Hero

Musicians On Call (MOC) was recognized as a 2025 Insperity Community Hero, honoring the nonprofit’s impact in bringing live music to patients, families and healthcare workers in hospitals across the country. As part of the recognition, the organization received a $5,000 charitable donation to help expand its programs and bring the healing power of music to more communities nationwide.

Recently, Melinda LaFollette, MOC’s Director of PR & Events, sat down with Corinn Price, Executive Director of Corporate Citizenship at Insperity, to discuss the organization’s mission and what the recognition means for its future. Musicians On Call was nominated for the honor by Insperity staff members MJ Davis and Tracy Giuffreda, who have witnessed the impact of the nonprofit’s work firsthand.

Founded in 1999, Musicians On Call was inspired by a simple moment of gratitude at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. After losing a loved one to cancer, co-founder Michael Solomon organized a concert in the hospital lobby to thank the facility that cared for her. The powerful response from patients and staff inspired him and his friend Vivek J. Tiwary to bring live music directly to patients’ hospital rooms.

“They just knew that this was something they really needed to replicate and do more and more,” said LaFollette. “And so that idea became Musicians On Call.”

Today, the nonprofit delivers music through programs like MOC Bedside, where Volunteer Musicians perform live in patient rooms, as well as virtual performances, streaming playlists and songwriting sessions that allow patients to express their own stories through music.

“We always like to say that we are a small but mighty team,” LaFollette said. “It’s people that want to help others, people that just want to see good in the world and people who love music.”

“We look for organizations that are making a meaningful impact in their communities, and Musicians On Call truly embodies that,” said Corinn Price. “The way they bring live music directly to patients and healthcare teams during incredibly difficult moments is powerful, and it’s a reminder of how compassion and creativity can transform the hospital experience.”

“More than 1.2 million people have now been touched by having music in the hospital at their bedside because of Musicians On Call,” LaFollette said. “We’re just really wanting to continue that momentum to reach the next million even sooner than the first.”