Dr. Champion grew up in Greenville, SC and Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended Father Ryan High School, graduating in 1984. He attended Tennessee Technological University for three years and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science-Dentistry. Dr. Champion then attended the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, graduating cum laude in 1991. Immediately following graduation, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, for a General Practice Residency, then at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, for an additional two years. Wanting to return to Tennessee, he briefly practiced in Memphis before moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1996 and eventually helped form Hixson Dental Group, where he practiced until moving to Longs, South Carolina in 2023 to join Carolina Dental Care.
Dr. Champion was a member of the Chattanooga Area Dental Society and served at all levels of the executive board, including President. He was an active member of the Tennessee Valley Dental Study Club, as well as their past president. He is a member of the American Dental Association and he was honored in 2019 by the Tennessee Dental Association with the TDA Fellowship Award for Distinguished Service. In addition to private practice, Dr. Champion was an adjunct professor in the Chattanooga State Community College Dental Hygiene program.
Dr. Champion has three children: Emily – an optometrist in Savannah, Ga.(University of Tennessee/Illinois College of Optometry), Laura, an emergency room nurse in Dallas, Tx (University of Alabama/Union University College of Nursing) and Phillip, an electrical engineer in Chicago, IL (Auburn University). Having children who attended three different SEC schools has made for some interesting and fun football weekends over the years.
Dr. Champion enjoys running, yard work, traveling, and playing drums. He is especially fond of live music and has traveled extensively to events such as Lollapalooza in Chicago, Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, and Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee.
Dr. Champion recently became a grandfather in January 2023,and is looking forward to being a bit closer to his granddaughter in Savannah, Ga, which influenced his decision to move to South Carolina again. He is also looking forward to the adventures and great places to visit in the coastal area.
