ATLANTA – Emory Healthcare hosted its first Champions of Community Health event, celebrating more than a dozen community organizations and individuals whose work has strengthened public health across Georgia. Held in alignment with the American Hospital Association (AHA)’s Community Health Improvement Week, the event spotlighted collaborative efforts ranging from mental health advocacy and chronic illness prevention to food security, housing and youth empowerment.
The inaugural event was led by Amaka Eneanya, MD, chief transformation officer at Emory Healthcare, and featured an inspiring keynote from nationally syndicated talk show host and mental wellness advocate Portia Bruner.
“At Emory Healthcare, we are deeply committed to serving communities — not just treating patients,” says Eneanya. “But the truth is, we cannot do it alone. This work requires collaborators who share our commitment and bring knowledge, trust and compassion into the spaces where it matters most. These honorees remind us how much we can accomplish when we learn from one another, align our strengths and work side-by-side to build healthy communities across Georgia.”
A broad network advancing community health
Honorees represented a wide-ranging spectrum of grassroots and institutional organizations — from faith-based leaders to behavioral health specialists and neighborhood coalitions focused on reducing homelessness, food insecurity and preventable illness. Each honoree played a unique role in helping Emory deliver holistic care beyond the hospital walls.
“This award means a lot,” says David Jordan, DMin, senior pastor of Decatur First Baptist Church and an event honoree. “A celebration like this affirms that no matter your background, if your goal is to help people have healthier days and brighter futures, you have a seat at the table. It’s the kind of welcome and embrace that sets Emory apart.”
Program speaker Byron Hunter, PhD, vice president of Emory Healthcare’s Office of Health Impact, highlighted how data from community health needs assessments has guided Emory’s outreach, leading to measurable outcomes in chronic disease management, behavioral health, violence prevention, maternal care and more.
As Emory continues to grow its network of collaborators across Georgia, the Champions of Community Health awards are expected to become an annual tradition celebrating local solutions, shared accountability and the power of ‘people-first’ health care.
2025 Champions of Community Health honorees
Organizational honorees
- ARCHI
- Claratel Behavioral Health
- Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Diabetes You Can Win Foundation, Inc.
- Hope Atlanta
- Midtown Assistance Center (MAC)
- Mothers Against Gang Violence
- Open Hand Atlanta
- Pathways2Life / One Johns Creek Coalition
Individual honorees
- Donna Bush, Berean Christian Church
- Sherice Cross, House of Hope Atlanta
- Cornelius Flowers, MD
- David Jordan, DMin, Decatur First Baptist Church
- Naomi Muhia, DNP, Kenyan American Community Church
- Jade Royale-Brown & Gayle Perkins, DeKalb NAMI
- Greg White, A Home for Everyone in DeKalb