Charles W. Hopley, MD, MPH

As a pulmonary and critical care physician, I am passionate about patient care. The healthcare system can be challenging to navigate. Patients often struggle to get answers to their questions. I collaborate with and advocate for my patients, helping them find the information and care they need to meet their goals. I combine my passion for patient care with a deep commitment to improving healthcare systems. In my clinical work and research, I identify new solutions that provide the best care. I am particularly interested in how technology can reduce barriers to care so that patients can get the care they need. My primary research uses data and experiences from past patient care to make future treatments better and more efficient. I lead multiple research and evaluation efforts related to the Veterans Affairs' electronic health record modernization efforts. I am also exploring how artificial intelligence can support and improve patient care. In all my work, I am driven by the desire to provide the highest standard of care. I aim to ensure that patients receive the most informed, up-to-date treatments.

I believe in treating all patients with respect and compassion. I am passionate about providing high quality care for people with liver disease, and preventing complications. The liver is a fascinating organ that is responsible for many functions in the body — I want to keep our livers as healthy as possible.

Epilepsy is a disease that takes away a person’s control. My goal is to help my patients take back control of their lives and resume doing the things that are important to them. While I can’t always guarantee that my patients will be seizure-free, I will help them get their seizures under control, minimize side effects, and help them improve their overall quality of life. I’m very honest with my patients and carefully explain what’s happening to them and why it’s happening so that they can understand their condition. I help them understand that epilepsy is much more than just seizures. It can affect many things, including a person’s mood and memory. Epilepsy patients also have an increased risk of depression and anxiety. We talk about all of the issues surrounding their condition, so that we can plan a personalized, well-rounded course of care. I find it very rewarding to know I made a real difference in someone’s life. That’s a huge part of why I entered this field.