Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta announced on March 19 that several of its leaders and collaborators were named winners in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2026 Health Care Champion Awards. The awards honor innovative and influential health care professionals in metro Atlanta and beyond.
The recognition highlights the dedication of frontline health care workers and visionary leaders who are shaping the future of the industry. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta had honorees in multiple categories, including Physician/Physician Practice Group of the Year, Innovator of the Year – Research, and Innovator of the Year – Pediatric Health.
Bhargava Mullapudi, MD, FACS, Division Chief of Abdominal Transplant Surgery at Children’s, was recognized for combining innovation with a multidisciplinary approach to address complex liver cases. The Marcus Center for Cellular Therapy, which opened in October 2025, received honors for offering cell and gene therapy to patients with cancer and other diseases. Pryce Loften, a music therapist at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s, was acknowledged for using music therapy to support children facing cancer, blood disorders, and long hospitalizations.
“Our honorees represent medical innovation, compassionate care and supporting patients across the state,” said Donna Hyland, CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “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 celebrated Jean R. Sumner, MD, MACP, Dean of Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), who was named Rural Health Champion of the Year for her work improving healthcare in rural Georgia through innovation and leadership. In 2023, MUSM partnered with Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Children’s on an initiative focused on pediatric healthcare improvements in rural areas.
All award winners were honored at an event hosted by the Atlanta Business Chronicle on March 19.
