City of Hope named Melissa Childress as president of City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. A Georgia native, Childress brings more than 20 years of transformative leadership in cancer services, operations, strategy and patient and staff experience across some of the nation’s most respected cancer programs.

Before joining City of Hope, Childress served most recently as a partner at Chartis Healthcare Consulting, advising cancer centers nationwide on strategy, growth and operational excellence. She also served as chief operating officer at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, vice president of cancer services at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and associate executive director of business development at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She has earned recognition for her ability to align teams and design care models that improve outcomes for patients, families and staff. Her leadership has included expanding clinical trial access and guiding major capital projects, including the design of a 455,000-square-foot, $484 million cancer facility.

“I am inspired by the opportunity to lead alongside people who share a commitment to patients,” Childress said. “My vision is to build on the strengths of our physicians and team members. Together, we will expand access to advanced cancer care, bring new research and clinical trials to the region and serve communities across metro Atlanta and Georgia with expertise and compassion.”

In 2025, City of Hope Atlanta opened City of Hope Cancer Center Paces Ferry, a facility in the heart of Buckhead that offers specialized cancer care, rapid access to consultations and connection to the City of Hope Atlanta hospital in Newnan and City of Hope’s national network. The expansion reflects City of Hope’s broader investment in bringing specialized, compassionate care directly to the communities it serves.