Allergists in Memphis

June 15, 2026

Allergists, also called allergists-immunologists, are physicians who hold an M.D. or D.O., complete a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, and then finish a fellowship in allergy and immunology before becoming board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Unlike a general primary-care visit for occasional symptoms, a Memphis allergy practice offers in-house diagnostic testing, a dedicated immunotherapy program, and ongoing management of chronic conditions by a specialist who treats allergic and immune disease every day. For patients managing persistent symptoms across seasons, that continuity of specialized care can make a meaningful difference.

Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 618,980 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it anchors a Mid-South region that spans West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and East Arkansas. The Mississippi River valley’s humid climate, long growing season, and abundant tree, grass, and ragweed pollen contribute to a heavy allergy burden, and the area is frequently cited among the more challenging U.S. metros for seasonal allergy sufferers. Allergists in the city diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, eczema and hives (urticaria), chronic sinus disease, food and drug allergies, and immune system disorders.

Physicians who practice medicine in Tennessee are licensed by the state under the Tennessee Department of Health: medical doctors through the Board of Medical Examiners and osteopathic physicians through the Board of Osteopathic Examination. Board certification in allergy and immunology is a separate, voluntary credential awarded by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a conjoint board of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. Consumers can verify that a physician holds an active, unrestricted Tennessee license, and review any disciplinary history, through the Department of Health license verification portal at tn.gov. Because the Memphis market draws from three states, some practices also hold licenses in Mississippi and Arkansas, which can be confirmed with each respective state board.

The diagnostic and treatment tools an allergist uses include allergy skin testing (skin prick and intradermal) and blood testing to identify specific triggers, allergy shots known as subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, and oral immunotherapy for certain food allergies, along with biologic medications for moderate to severe asthma, chronic hives, and related conditions. Patients can confirm appointment policies, insurance participation, and whether a referral is required directly with each practice. For complaints about billing or business practices, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), while clinical or licensing concerns about a physician are handled by the Tennessee Department of Health. This article is informational and is not medical advice; decisions about diagnosis and treatment should be made with a licensed physician.

Top Allergists Providers in Memphis

1. Family Allergy & Asthma

Address: 6401 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 757-6100
Website: https://familyallergy.com/locations/memphis-tn-poplar-avenue/
Services: allergy skin prick testing, asthma diagnosis and treatment, immunotherapy (allergy shots), environmental allergen evaluation, food allergy testing and management, pediatric and adult allergy
Description: Family Allergy & Asthma operates a Memphis office on Poplar Avenue and is part of a broader group of board-certified allergy and asthma specialists serving the region, with additional offices in the Memphis area and across West Tennessee and the surrounding states. The Memphis location’s physicians include Venusa Phomakay, M.D., who completed her allergy and immunology fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, and Amy Ragsdale, D.O., a board-certified allergist who completed both her pediatric residency and her allergy and immunology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. The practice provides skin testing, asthma management, environmental allergy evaluation, immunotherapy, and food allergy care for pediatric and adult patients.

2. The Tankersley Clinic

Address: 1458 West Poplar Avenue, Suite 205, Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 335-8966
Website: https://thetankersleyclinic.com
Services: allergy testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots), asthma management, food allergy care, respiratory care, skin care, pediatric and adult allergy, immunizations
Description: The Tankersley Clinic is a solo allergy and immunology practice founded in 2017 and located in the Baptist Hospital Collierville Physician Office Building on West Poplar Avenue in Collierville, in the eastern Memphis metro. It is led by Mike Tankersley, M.D., M.B.A., who is fellowship-trained in adult and pediatric allergy and immunology, having completed his fellowship at Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1999, and who is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. The clinic serves the broader Mid-South, including Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, West Tennessee, North Mississippi, and East Arkansas, and provides allergy testing, immunotherapy, asthma management, food allergy care, and respiratory and skin care for adult and pediatric patients.

3. Hanissian Clinic, P.C.

Address: 2101 Merchants Row, Suite 3, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 751-9696
Website: https://memphisallergist.com
Services: allergy testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots), asthma care, environmental allergy treatment, pediatric and adult allergy and immunology
Description: The Hanissian Clinic is an allergy and immunology practice serving Memphis and the Mid-South from its office in Germantown, just east of Memphis on Merchants Row. The practice is led by Gregory Hanissian, M.D., who was board certified in allergy and immunology by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology in 1997 and has maintained that certification through recertification since. The clinic focuses specifically on allergy and immunology care, offering testing, immunotherapy, and asthma management for pediatric and adult patients across the Memphis metropolitan area. Patients in central Memphis should confirm the current office location and hours directly with the practice when scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Allergists in Memphis

Q: What is the difference between an allergist and a regular doctor?

An allergist is a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who completed a residency in internal medicine or pediatrics and then a fellowship in allergy and immunology, and who is typically board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. A primary-care physician can manage occasional or mild symptoms, but an allergist offers specialized diagnostic testing, immunotherapy programs, and ongoing management of chronic allergic and immune conditions such as asthma, food allergy, and recurrent sinus disease.

Q: How do I verify that a Memphis allergist is licensed?

All physicians practicing in Tennessee must hold an active license issued by the Tennessee Department of Health, through the Board of Medical Examiners for M.D.s or the Board of Osteopathic Examination for D.O.s. You can confirm a physician’s license status and review any disciplinary history through the Department of Health license verification portal at tn.gov. Because some Memphis-area practices also treat patients from Mississippi and Arkansas, those state medical boards can verify licensure in their respective states. Board certification in allergy and immunology can be confirmed through the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Q: What conditions do allergists in Memphis treat?

Allergists diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, eczema, hives (urticaria), chronic sinus disease, food allergies, drug allergies, insect sting allergies, and immune system disorders. The Mid-South’s humid climate and long pollen season make seasonal allergies, asthma, and sinus conditions especially common reasons for a visit.

Q: Are there allergists located in central Memphis, or only in the suburbs?

Both. Family Allergy & Asthma maintains an office on Poplar Avenue within Memphis proper, while other established practices such as The Tankersley Clinic in Collierville and the Hanissian Clinic in Germantown serve the city from the eastern Memphis metro. Many area allergists also operate satellite offices across the Mid-South, so it is worth confirming the most convenient location and its hours when scheduling.

Q: What does allergy testing and immunotherapy involve?

Allergy testing usually starts with skin prick or intradermal testing, and sometimes blood testing, to identify specific triggers. If immunotherapy is recommended, treatment may take the form of subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots) given on a schedule over a period of years, sublingual immunotherapy, or oral immunotherapy for certain food allergies. The goal is to reduce the body’s sensitivity to identified allergens over time. A licensed allergist determines which approach is appropriate for each patient.

Q: How do I file a complaint about an allergy practice in Memphis?

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