The two largest healthcare providers in Atlanta are preparing for a significant change at the top. John Haupert, the CEO of Grady Health System, and Donna Hyland, the CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), both announced this month that they will step down from their roles. These transitions come at a critical time as both organizations manage massive expansion projects, including a new $1 billion medical campus in South Fulton and the recently opened Arthur M. Blank Hospital. Both leaders have spent decades building these systems into national models for urban and pediatric care.
A New Chapter for Grady Health System
On March 18, 2026, Grady Health System announced that John Haupert will retire at the end of the year. Haupert has led the system since 2011, guiding it through a period of intense growth and financial stabilization. Under his leadership, Grady transformed from a struggling safety-net hospital into a leading trauma and specialty care center.
The timing of his retirement aligns with a major milestone for the city. Alongside the leadership news, Fulton County commissioners approved a $1 billion plan for a new medical campus in Union City. This facility will include a 200-bed hospital and an emergency department to help fix a “healthcare desert” in South Fulton.
Haupert explained his decision during a public meeting:
“This was of course my decision, and it’s time with the whole new campus of Grady. The evolution needs to be hand in hand with a new senior leader.”
Anthony Saul, Grady’s current Chief Operating Officer, has been named the successor. He will take over as President and CEO on January 1, 2027. Saul, who joined Grady in 2019, previously served as the Chief Financial Officer and has over 25 years of experience in healthcare management.
Donna Hyland Retires from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Earlier in March, Donna Hyland confirmed her plan to retire later this year after an 18-year tenure as CEO and a 40-year career with CHOA. Hyland is credited with overseeing the merger of Egleston and Scottish Rite hospitals and lead the construction of the $1.5 billion Arthur M. Blank Hospital, which opened in late 2024.
During her time as leader, CHOA grew to handle over 1.2 million patient visits annually. In a recent interview, Hyland reflected on her long history with the organization:
“I think the proudest achievement, what we’ve been able to do, to really change kids’ lives. Our vision at Children’s is to do everything possible, to make anything possible for a child.”
The board has selected Dr. Patrick Frias to replace her. This is a homecoming for Dr. Frias, who spent 18 years at CHOA as a cardiologist and administrator before becoming the CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital in California. He is expected to start in the coming months, working alongside Hyland to ensure a smooth transition before she officially finishes her role at the end of 2026.
Impact on Atlanta’s Public Health
This “double retirement” represents a massive shift for Atlanta’s public health infrastructure. Grady and CHOA are not just hospitals; they are essential pillars of the community. Grady serves as the region’s premier Level 1 trauma center, while CHOA is one of the largest pediatric systems in the country.
The new leaders will take over during a period of high demand. For example, Grady currently sees approximately 155,000 emergency department visits every year. The transition to Anthony Saul and Dr. Patrick Frias is designed to maintain stability while these systems expand their physical footprint.
Key details of the transition include:
Advisory Roles: John Haupert will remain as an advisor through 2027 to help with the South Fulton campus project.
Internal Promotion: Anthony Saul’s rise from CFO to CEO at Grady suggests a focus on financial and operational continuity.
Clinical Expertise: Dr. Patrick Frias brings a medical background as a doctor, which is a shift from Hyland’s background in finance and operations.
Paul Brown, Chair of the Children’s Board of Trustees, expressed confidence in the new direction:
“Dr. Patrick Frias is the clear choice to lead Children’s into the future. He is a highly experienced leader with a clear strategic vision who is passionate about people.”
With billions of dollars in new construction underway and a growing population in the metro area, the next generation of leaders will face the challenge of making healthcare accessible to everyone in the region.
