Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Celebrates Winners in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2026 Health Care Champion Awards

ATLANTA (March 20, 2026) - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is proud to celebrate its leaders, innovators and collaborators who were named winners in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2026 Health Care Champion Awards, which honor the most innovative and influential health care leaders in metro Atlanta and beyond.

The Health Care Champion Awards recognize the unparalleled dedication of frontline health care heroes and the visionary leaders shaping the future of the industry.

Children's honorees include:

Physician/Physician Practice Group of the Year

• Bhargava Mullapudi, MD, FACS , Division Chief of Abdominal Transplant Surgery at Children's, combines innovation with a multidisciplinary approach to address Children's most complex liver cases.

Innovator of the Year - Research

Innovator of the Year - Pediatric Health

"Our honorees represent medical innovation, compassionate care and supporting patients across the state," said Donna Hyland, CEO, Children's. "They are a perfect example of the Children's mission to do everything possible to make anything possible for children, and I am proud to celebrate their dedication to helping Georgia's kids."

Children's also celebrates Jean R. Sumner, MD, MACP, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), who was recognized as a Rural Health Champion of the Year for her dedication to improving healthcare in rural Georgia through innovation, leadership and compassionate care. In 2023, MUSM, Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Children's announced a major initiative focused on improving pediatric healthcare in rural Georgia.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle celebrated all 2026 Health Care Champion Award winners at an awards event on March 19.