Children's Hospital Leadership

Charles Woods, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Children's Hospital at Erlanger

A specialist in pediatric infectious disease, Dr. Charles Woods serves as Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Hospital, and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga. In these roles, he oversees department faculty at Children’s Hospital, as well as all faculty appointments and educational activities. His focus also includes mentoring other physicians and working to advance strategic planning and pediatric research activities.

Dr. Woods previously served as Chief Medical Officer of Children's Hospital at Erlanger, and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville College of Medicine.

Nationally recognized in the world of pediatrics and infectious disease, Dr. Wood was elected by national peers as an officer in the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society where he contributed to numerous research efforts, study groups, and taskforces related to this specialty. He has also been active in the American Academy of Pediatrics, participating in the Academy’s annual leadership forums and has received numerous teaching and mentoring awards.

Dr. Woods has lectured on infectious diseases at more than 60 pediatrics and public health conferences throughout the United States, served on numerous editorial boards and is currently associate editor of The Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. Over the years, he has written chapters in more than 40 books, with subjects ranging from pediatric meningitis to immunization practices. He has authored or co-authored more than 110 journal articles and reviews for medical journal publications related to his specialty.

Marvin Hall, MD
Chief Medical Officer, Children's Hospital at Erlanger

A specialist in pediatric critical care, Dr. Marvin Hall serves as Chief Medical Officer for Children's Hospital at Erlanger and Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.

In addition to his 30 years of critical care experience at Children's Hospital, Dr. Hall is a two-time recipient of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga resident teaching award and a former interim chairman for the department of pediatrics. Dr. Hall was also awarded the 2019 Champions of Health Care Academic Physician Award.

Dr. Hall grew up in East Tennessee, having attended high school in Roane County. He moved back to Tennessee after his residency and fellowship in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He has lived on Signal Mountain since 1994. He is married to Theresa Hall and has three sons; Jonathan, Andrew, and Matthew. Dr. Hall enjoys the beautiful East Tennessee outdoors - hiking, backpacking, fishing, and boating.

Steve Topping, MBA
Director of Operations, Children's Hospital at Erlanger

A specialist in Health Care Leadership, Steve Topping serves as Director of Operations for Children’s Hospital and Kennedy Outpatient Center. His focus is the ongoing processes within the organization to improve all levels of health care outcomes for our pediatric and adolescent patients as well as their families.

With over 20 years of leadership and management experience, Topping has previously served in both outpatient and inpatient facilities in a variety of healthcare settings. Previously, he was the Program Director at Healogics Inc. and the Regional Executive Director of Outpatient Services for Cumberland Hall.

A Chattanooga native, Topping earned his Bachelor’s degree at Covenant College and a Master’s in Business Administration at Bryan College. He enjoys being involved in the community, especially by being a volunteer diver at the Tennessee Aquarium. He is married to Liz Marr Topping and has three daughters: Millie, Pippa, and McKenzie.