Pulmonologist in Chattanooga

June 14, 2026

A pulmonologist is a physician, holding an M.D. or D.O. degree, who specializes in diseases of the lungs and respiratory system. For Chattanooga patients, choosing a local pulmonologist means access to in-person evaluation, on-site diagnostic testing, and a physician who coordinates care with the city’s hospitals and intensive care units. Chattanooga has a population of roughly 185,783 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) and anchors a metro area that draws patients from across southeast Tennessee and north Georgia, supporting a community of pulmonary and critical care physicians. Chattanooga pulmonologists treat conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease, lung nodules and lung cancer, and they often manage ventilator and critical care for hospitalized patients. This article is informational and is not medical advice.

The training required to become a pulmonologist is extensive. After medical school, a physician completes a residency in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in pulmonary disease, frequently combined as pulmonary and critical care medicine, and many practices also incorporate sleep medicine. Board certification in pulmonary disease is granted by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) after this training, and many Chattanooga pulmonologists also hold the FCCP credential, indicating Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. Because pulmonary and critical care medicine are so closely linked, a large share of the area’s pulmonologists also staff hospital intensive care units, which is one reason many practices are affiliated with hospital systems such as CHI Memorial and Erlanger Health.

In Tennessee, physicians are licensed by the state. Medical doctors (M.D.) are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) by the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination, both within the Division of Health Related Boards under the Tennessee Department of Health (statutes at TCA Title 63, with medicine and surgery under Chapter 6 and osteopathy under Chapter 9). Patients can confirm that a physician holds an active, unrestricted license, and review any public disciplinary actions, through the Department of Health license verification system at tn.gov. Because the Chattanooga metro extends across the Tennessee and Georgia state lines, a physician who practices on both sides of the border must hold the appropriate license in each state.

The services a Chattanooga pulmonology practice offers usually extend beyond the office visit. Standard diagnostic tools include pulmonary function testing (PFT) to assess airflow and lung volumes, bronchoscopy to examine the airways and collect tissue, and sleep studies for patients with suspected sleep apnea. Some practices also offer interventional pulmonology, which uses advanced bronchoscopic techniques for lung nodules, lung cancer staging, and complex airway conditions. Ongoing management covers asthma, COPD, oxygen therapy, and follow-up of nodules found on imaging. Patients should ask which hospital a practice admits to and how urgent or after-hours issues are handled. For billing and contract concerns, Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), handles complaints about deceptive business practices, while clinical or licensure concerns about a specific physician go to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Top Pulmonologist Providers in Chattanooga

1. The Lung Docs

Address: 1301 McCallie Avenue, Suite 200, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 710-3864
Website: https://www.thelungdocs.com
Services: diagnosis and treatment of asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, bronchitis and emphysema, smoking cessation, interventional procedures
Description: The Lung Docs is a pulmonology and critical care practice based in downtown Chattanooga, with its Chattanooga Lung Center located inside the Prime Imaging Outpatient Center on McCallie Avenue. The practice is led by Mike Czarnecki, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist, working alongside physician assistant Pace Rothery, PA-C. The Lung Docs evaluates and treats a broad range of conditions including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, both non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, bronchitis, and emphysema, and it offers smoking cessation support and interventional procedures. In addition to its downtown Chattanooga location, the practice maintains offices serving the surrounding area, including Hixson and Jasper, giving patients in the wider region access to pulmonary specialty care.

2. Pulmonary and Sleep Institute

Address: 4700 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: (423) 654-7400
Website: https://www.pulmonarysleepcha.com
Services: pulmonary disease treatment, sleep disorder evaluation and management, on-site procedures and testing
Description: The Pulmonary and Sleep Institute (PSI) is a pulmonary and sleep medicine center on Brainerd Road in Chattanooga, describing itself as one of Hamilton County’s newer and more comprehensive pulmonary and sleep facilities. It is led by medical director Harsha Shantha, MD, FCCP, who is board certified in pulmonary medicine, sleep medicine, and critical care medicine and has more than 30 years of experience. The practice combines treatment of pulmonary diseases with management of sleep disorders and provides procedures and diagnostic testing on site, allowing patients to receive evaluation and follow-up care in a single location. Its focus on both lung and sleep conditions reflects the close clinical relationship between respiratory disease and sleep-related breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea.

3. CHI Memorial Lung Care Associates

Address: 725 Glenwood Drive, Suite E-500, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: (423) 495-2635
Website: https://www.commonspirit.org/find-a-location/chi-memorial-lung-care-associates-3415
Services: evaluation and treatment of bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and chest infections, comprehensive lung evaluations, coordinated pulmonary care
Description: CHI Memorial Lung Care Associates is a pulmonology practice affiliated with CHI Memorial, part of the CommonSpirit Health system, located on Glenwood Drive near the CHI Memorial Hospital campus in Chattanooga. The practice operates with a group of physicians and specializes in treating conditions including bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and chest infections, providing comprehensive lung evaluations and individualized treatment plans. As a hospital-affiliated group, it connects patients to the broader CHI Memorial network for diagnostic imaging, procedures, and inpatient care when needed, and it works alongside related CHI Memorial pulmonary services, including interventional pulmonology, within the same health system. The hospital affiliation is useful for patients whose lung conditions may require hospitalization or coordination across multiple specialties.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonologist in Chattanooga

Q: What does a pulmonologist do, and how is one different from a primary care doctor?

A pulmonologist is a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who, after an internal medicine residency, completes additional fellowship training focused on the lungs and respiratory system. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat conditions such as asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, interstitial lung disease, and lung nodules or cancer, and many also practice critical care medicine in hospital intensive care units. A primary care doctor usually manages mild or stable breathing problems and refers more complex or persistent lung conditions to a pulmonologist for specialized testing and treatment.

Q: How can I verify that a Chattanooga pulmonologist is properly licensed?

Tennessee physicians who hold an M.D. are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, and those with a D.O. by the Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examination, both under the Department of Health (TCA Title 63, Chapters 6 and 9). You can confirm a physician’s active license status and review any public disciplinary history through the Department of Health license verification tool at tn.gov. Because the Chattanooga area extends into Georgia, a physician who also practices across the state line should hold a valid license there as well, verifiable through that state’s medical board.

Q: What tests might a pulmonologist in Chattanooga order?

Common pulmonary tests include pulmonary function testing (PFT) to measure airflow and lung volumes, bronchoscopy to examine the airways and collect tissue samples, and sleep studies for suspected sleep apnea. Practices with interventional pulmonology programs may also offer advanced bronchoscopic techniques for evaluating lung nodules and staging lung cancer. Chest imaging, including X-rays and CT scans, is frequently used to evaluate nodules, infections, and interstitial lung disease, and the pulmonologist explains the purpose of each test before it is performed.

Q: Are Chattanooga pulmonology practices connected to hospitals?

Many are. Because pulmonary medicine overlaps closely with critical care, a large share of pulmonologists also staff hospital intensive care units, and practices are frequently affiliated with systems such as CHI Memorial or Erlanger Health. Hospital affiliation matters for patients who may need bronchoscopy, a procedure, or inpatient admission, so it is worth asking which hospital a practice uses and how after-hours and emergency care is coordinated.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a pulmonology practice in Chattanooga?

Complaints about a physician’s clinical conduct or licensure are directed to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Concerns about billing, advertising, or other business practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping records of appointments, communications, and bills strengthens any complaint.

Q: Do I need a referral to see a pulmonologist in Chattanooga?

It depends on your insurance plan. Many health maintenance organization (HMO) plans require a referral from a primary care physician before they will cover a specialist visit, while preferred provider organization (PPO) plans often allow patients to self-refer. Because pulmonary care can involve testing and procedures, confirming referral and prior-authorization requirements with both the practice and your insurer before the first appointment helps avoid unexpected costs.