Atlanta colorectal surgeon Dr. Erin King-Mullins was recently honored with the Trailblazer Award at the 2026 AMA Heritage Fund Scholarship Awards Gala hosted by the Atlanta Medical Association.
The award recognizes physicians who are advancing medicine through leadership, innovation, and service to both patients and the medical profession.
For patients across metro Atlanta and beyond, the recognition reflects something many already know about Dr. King-Mullins — her impact reaches far beyond the operating room.
Through clinical care, national leadership roles, and physician mentorship, she continues to help shape the future of healthcare.
Celebrating Leadership at the AMA Heritage Fund Gala
The annual Heritage Fund Gala is one of Atlanta’s most respected physician-led philanthropic events. Hosted by the Atlanta Medical Association Heritage Fund, the evening raises scholarship funds for medical students while honoring physicians who have made a lasting impact on medicine.
The gala brings together leading physicians, healthcare innovators, and medical students from across Georgia.
Students attending the event escort guests to their tables wearing their white coats — a powerful symbol of the future of medicine and the purpose behind the scholarship program.
Receiving the Trailblazer Award places Dr. King-Mullins among a distinguished group of physicians recognized for shaping the direction of healthcare in Atlanta and beyond.
A Leader in Colorectal Surgery and Women’s Pelvic Health
Dr. King-Mullins is a double board-certified general and colorectal surgeon in Atlanta and the founder of the Colorectal Wellness Center.
She is widely recognized for her expertise in treating conditions such as:
- hemorrhoids
- anal fissures and fistulas
- pelvic floor disorders
- fecal incontinence
- colorectal cancer
In recent years, she has also become a leading voice in women’s colorectal and pelvic health, helping bring attention to medical conditions that many women experience but rarely discuss openly.
Her approach focuses on restoring comfort, function, and confidence while treating patients with dignity and discretion.
National Leadership and Innovation in Medicine
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. King-Mullins holds several influential leadership roles that contribute to the advancement of surgical care across the country.
She currently serves as:
- President of the Society of Black Colorectal Surgeons
- Council member and Examiner for the American Board of Surgery
- Member of the Executive Council of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
- Member of the first-ever Medical Advisory Board for the Women’s National Football Conference
Her appointment to the WNFC Medical Advisory Board reflects her commitment to supporting athletes’ health and ensuring medical safety standards within professional women’s sports.
These leadership roles allow her to contribute to national conversations about surgical training, patient care standards, and healthcare equity.
Supporting the Next Generation of Physicians
Dr. King-Mullins is also deeply committed to mentorship and physician development.
Through her consulting company, Surgical Practice Startup Consulting, she works with physicians across the country to help them establish and grow procedural-based medical practices.
Her consulting work focuses on helping physicians build sustainable practices that prioritize both clinical excellence and operational success.
By sharing the lessons she has learned as a surgeon and business owner, she helps other physicians navigate the complex process of launching and scaling their own practices.
Expanding Patient Care Through Medical Aesthetics
In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. King-Mullins also serves as a medical director for a medical spa, where she helps ensure safe and medically supervised aesthetic treatments.
Her involvement reflects a broader approach to patient care — recognizing that many patients are interested in wellness, confidence, and preventative care alongside traditional medical treatment.
This holistic perspective aligns with the evolving expectations of modern healthcare consumers.
A Full-Circle Moment with the Atlanta Medical Association
Dr. King-Mullins’ recognition at the Heritage Fund Gala carries special meaning because her relationship with the Atlanta Medical Association began years earlier when she was a medical student at Emory University School of Medicine.
As a young physician in training, she attended AMA events where established physicians and past trailblazers invested their time, wisdom, and mentorship into the next generation of doctors. Those experiences helped shape her understanding of leadership in medicine, and the responsibility physicians have to support those coming behind them.
Receiving the Trailblazer Award at the Heritage Fund Scholarship Gala represents a powerful full-circle moment.
The annual gala raises scholarship funds to support future physicians, with a strong focus on expanding opportunities for the next generation of medical leaders. For Dr. King-Mullins, that mission is deeply personal.
“When I was a medical student, I had the privilege of learning from physicians who poured into me and believed in the next generation of doctors,” said Dr. King-Mullins. “To now be in a position where I can support and encourage future physicians — especially young Black medical students — is incredibly meaningful.”
Having benefited from mentorship and opportunity early in her career, Dr. King-Mullins remains committed to ensuring that the next generation of physicians have the support, visibility, and encouragement they need to succeed.
Through her continued involvement with the Atlanta Medical Association and its philanthropic initiatives, she is helping strengthen Atlanta’s medical community while opening doors for those who will lead it in the future.
Looking Ahead
As she continues her work in Atlanta and nationally, Dr. King-Mullins remains focused on several key missions:
- advancing colorectal cancer awareness and screening
- improving treatment for pelvic floor disorders
- expanding conversations around women’s colorectal health
- mentoring physicians and supporting new practice development
Recognition through the Trailblazer Award reflects not only her past achievements but also the continued impact of her work across medicine.
For patients seeking expert colorectal care in Atlanta, it is another reminder that they are being cared for by a physician who is helping shape the future of the field.
Dr. Erin King-Mullins: Leadership and Impact in Medicine
Dr. Erin King-Mullins’ work extends well beyond the operating room. Her leadership across clinical care, education, and physician mentorship continues to influence both patients and the broader medical community.
Her impact includes:
- Double board-certified general and colorectal surgeon serving patients in Atlanta and the Southeast
- President of the Society of Black Colorectal Surgeons
- Councilor and Examiner for the American Board of Surgery
- Member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Women’s National Football Conference
- Founder of Surgical Practice Startup Consulting, helping physicians establish procedural-based practices across the country
- Medical Director for a physician-led medical spa supporting safe aesthetic care
- National speaker and educator on colorectal health and colorectal cancer awareness
Through these roles, Dr. King-Mullins continues to advocate for improved patient care, physician leadership, and expanded opportunities for the next generation of doctors.