Edward S. Cooper Award Honoree

Vinay Nadkarni, M.D., M.S.
Attending Physician, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine,
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Professor of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pediatrics,
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health and hope for everyone everywhere, will honor renowned Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) physician, Vinay Nadkarni, M.D., M.S., as the 2026 Edward S. Cooper, M.D. Award honoree at this February’s Philadelphia Heart Ball. Nadkarni is attending physician, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, at CHOP and professor of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Dr. Nadkarni’s groundbreaking contributions to resuscitation science have transformed the way we save lives,” said Jennifer Litchman-Green, executive director of the American Heart Association, Greater Philadelphia. “His relentless pursuit of innovation and evidence-based practices has advanced the science of cardiac arrest care and strengthened the American Heart Association’s mission to improve sudden cardiac arrest survival outcomes. Dr. Nadkarni’s work has not only shaped protocols but has given countless patients and families hope for a second chance at life.”

Dr. Nadkarni has dedicated his career to pioneering and advancing lifesaving innovations central to the American Heart Association’s mission—transforming resuscitation science through breakthroughs in automated defibrillation, CPR techniques, training programs and global dissemination of best practices. His work has set new standards for emergency care and improved survival rates worldwide.

He got his start with the Heart Association more than 35 years ago, with a small Philadelphia-area American Heart Association grant to study newly available medications to improve delivery to cardiac arrest patients.

That small grant sparked an interest that led to a career of scholarly investigation and collaboration, as well as leadership of a national and an international American Heart Association committee that releases CPR guidelines across six continents – including 2,000 hospitals in the U.S., and over 200,000 Heart Association life support instructors across the world.

“Receiving an award in Dr. Cooper’s name from an organization that has been such an integral part of my professional journey is truly humbling,” said Dr. Nadkarni. “Dr. Cooper’s pioneering leadership and commitment to equity in cardiovascular health have inspired generations of clinicians and researchers, including myself. His work opened doors for innovation and access to care, and I am honored to carry forward that spirit through resuscitation science. The Heart Association has shaped this field and supported lifesaving advances, and together we will continue striving for a world free from cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

The Heart Association’s Philadelphia Heart Ball celebrates progress made through the Heart of Philadelphia’s year-round efforts to positively impact community health through discovery, advocacy, access and knowledge of its mission. Funds raised will fund scientific research and support additional efforts to save and improve lives affected by heart disease and stroke.

Sponsored by Penn Medicine, Infor, Jefferson Health, Temple Health, Independence Blue Cross and AmeriHealth Caritas, among others, the 2026 Philadelphia Heart Ball, co-chaired by Kernika Gupta and Vishal Patel, will be held on February 27, 2026, at the National Constitution Center. The annual event is a mission focused evening of storytelling, dinner, fundraising, networking and dancing. For more information on how to support or attend the Philadelphia Heart Ball, contact Danielle Muratore at Danielle.Muratore@heart.org.