Mark Womack, MD in Chattanooga: Medical Oncology and Hematology in a Regional Hospital Setting
Mark Womack, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist practicing within the Erlanger Health System, Chattanooga's public hospital network and largest healthcare employer. His practice handles solid tumors and blood disorders across adult patients, positioning him in the regional specialist pipeline where most Chattanooga-area cancer referrals enter the system after primary-care identification or urgent presentation.
What medical oncology at Erlanger actually is
Medical oncology differs from surgical or radiation oncology: it is systemic treatment via chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy rather than the knife or beam. Womack's dual board certification in medical oncology and hematology means he manages not only cancer but also conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, and non-malignant blood disorders. At Erlanger, a public system, his clinic serves a high volume of uninsured and underinsured patients alongside insured referrals from across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. This is not a private boutique practice; it is the working heart of cancer care in a regional safety-net hospital.
Services and typical referral pathway
Patients reach Womack's clinic almost always through referral rather than direct scheduling. Once referred, a new oncology patient typically waits one to two weeks for an initial appointment unless the case is urgent (newly diagnosed with advanced disease, active bleeding). The initial visit lasts sixty to ninety minutes and includes a full history, physical exam, review of imaging and pathology, treatment-plan discussion, and coordination with surgery or radiation if those modalities are part of the strategy. Chemotherapy administration, infusion support, lab monitoring, and symptom management are ongoing components. Erlanger also houses an in-house cancer center with infusion bays, pharmacy support, and navigation services for insurance and side-effect management.
Specific costs depend heavily on the chemotherapy regimen and insurance status. A single infusion can cost $500 to $15,000 out of pocket for uninsured patients, though Erlanger has a sliding-scale financial-assistance program; verification of rates is essential because regimens and pricing shift. Insured patients will see copays or coinsurance based on their plan's pharmacy and infusion benefits.
How Womack's practice compares to other Chattanooga oncology options
Chattanooga has multiple medical oncology entry points. Memorial Health System (Parkridge) maintains an oncology division with several board-certified medical oncologists; Parkridge is private-hospital affiliated and primarily insured-patient focused. CHI Memorial (formerly Parkridge) and Erlanger together account for the vast majority of inpatient cancer beds and acute care in the region. At the outpatient level, some patients also see hematologist-oncologists at smaller independent practices or travel to centers in Nashville or Atlanta for second opinions or specialized trials.
Erlanger's Womack is the go-to referral point for Chattanooga's uninsured and safety-net populations, making his clinic central to the city's cancer-care equity. Parkridge/CHI oncologists serve primarily insured populations. If insurance is robust, Parkridge or CHI may offer shorter waits and more concierge-style navigation. If insurance is limited or absent, Erlanger's financial assistance and his position within the system make him the logical choice. For rare cancers or complex cases wanting a second opinion or clinical-trial access, travel to Tennessee Oncology in Nashville or centers in Atlanta is common but not required.
Who this practice suits and who it doesn't
Womack's practice is suited to newly diagnosed cancer patients and those with established cancer requiring ongoing systemic therapy, particularly those with limited insurance or no insurance. The public-hospital setting and Erlanger's integrated infrastructure make him well-positioned to coordinate chemotherapy, supportive care, and access to social services. Patients expecting a private-practice, single-provider relationship may find Erlanger's team-based model (oncologist, advanced practitioners, nurses, social work) less aligned with that preference. Similarly, patients seeking immediate appointments outside urgent situations will face the typical wait time; this is not a concierge practice.
First-visit logistics and what to expect
A new patient must have a referral from a primary-care doctor or specialist and ideally should bring any imaging (CT, PET, MRI films or CDs) and a pathology report (if biopsy or surgery has already occurred). Erlanger's main campus on East Third Street houses oncology services; parking is available in hospital parking garages and surface lots, typically free for patients and visitors. Check-in is standard hospital paperwork; financial counselors can discuss cost and assistance during the visit if questions arise.
The first appointment includes a detailed symptom review, physical exam, and a frank discussion of the cancer type, stage, and treatment goals. Chemotherapy or other drugs do not usually begin at the first visit unless the case is time-sensitive (e.g., rapidly rising white-cell count); most patients have a few days to a week to consider options and return.
Hours, parking, and practical logistics
Womack's clinic operates during standard business hours Monday through Friday; exact hours are best confirmed directly with Erlanger's oncology scheduling line. Erlanger's campus is centered on East Third Street between McCallie Avenue and Cypress Street. Parking is available; the main garage charges a nominal fee or is free for patients with validation. No walk-ins: oncology appointments are scheduled only via referral and the appointment system.
Public transportation via CARTA (Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority) serves Erlanger with bus routes to the hospital; confirm current routes before planning a visit.
Why he matters in Chattanooga's care landscape
Womack's practice is essential infrastructure: he is one of a small number of board-certified medical oncologists in a mid-sized city and the primary gateway for Chattanooga's uninsured and underinsured patients to evidence-based cancer treatment. His Erlanger appointment bridges diagnosis to systemic therapy without gaps.
