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.

Heart of Philadelphia Honoree

Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr.
Superintendent,
School District of Philadelphia

The American Heart Association, the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces the School District of Philadelphia as the 2026 Heart of Philadelphia honoree.

Dr. Tony B. Watlington, Sr., superintendent, School District of Philadelphia, will be on hand to accept the award on behalf of the School District, at the 2026 Philadelphia Heart Ball on February 27,2026. It is being honored for a decade of collaboration among the School District, the Heart Association and others, dedicated to ensuring that every student in Philadelphia’s public schools receives hands-only CPR training—empowering thousands of students each year with lifesaving skills.

“The recognition of the School District of Philadelphia as our 2026 Heart of Philadelphia honoree underscores the importance of collaboration in public health and education,” said Jennifer Litchman-Green, executive director, American Heart Association, Greater Philadelphia. “By embedding CPR training into the educational experience promoting STEM opportunities for young women, the District and Heart Association have created a generation of lifesavers and innovators. This decade-long partnership exemplifies how schools and nonprofits can work together to build healthier, safer, and more equitable communities.”

The Philadelphia Heart Ball is a celebration of the Heart of Philadelphia campaign, a year-round movement to drive equitable health in Greater Philadelphia. The initiative raises funds to support the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives while supporting priority issues in Greater Philadelphia. Improving hypertension control, increasing nutrition security and removing barriers to CPR and AED education have been identified by the American Heart Association Greater Philadelphia board for 2024 to propel the work supporting the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal by reducing barriers to health care access and quality, with a focus on areas such as North and West Philadelphia.