Pulmonologist in Nashville

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. Choosing a Nashville pulmonologist rather than relying on general internet searches gives patients access to in-person evaluation, on-site diagnostic testing, and a physician who can coordinate care with local hospitals and specialists. Nashville is Tennessee’s largest city, with a population of roughly 715,388 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its large academic and hospital systems support a deep bench of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Pulmonologists in the city 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 intensive care for critically ill patients. This article is informational and is not medical advice.

The path to becoming a pulmonologist is long and tightly regulated. After medical school, a physician completes a residency in internal medicine and then a fellowship in pulmonary disease, frequently combined as pulmonary and critical care medicine, and many practices also fold in sleep medicine. Board certification in pulmonary disease is granted by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) following that training, and many Nashville pulmonologists carry the credential FCCP, indicating Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. Because the field overlaps so heavily with critical care, a large share of pulmonologists in the city also staff hospital intensive care units, which is one reason many practices are hospital-affiliated rather than fully independent.

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 operating under the Division of Health Related Boards within the Tennessee Department of Health (statutes at TCA Title 63, with medicine and surgery under Chapter 6 and osteopathy under Chapter 9). Consumers 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. Verifying licensure before a first appointment is a simple step that applies to any specialty, pulmonology included.

The services a Nashville pulmonology practice offers usually extend well beyond an office visit. Common diagnostic tools include pulmonary function testing (PFT) to measure how well the lungs move air, bronchoscopy to examine the airways and obtain tissue samples, and sleep studies for patients with suspected sleep apnea. Ongoing disease management covers asthma and COPD, oxygen therapy, and evaluation of lung nodules found on imaging. Because lung disease can involve sudden, serious complications, patients should understand which hospital a practice admits to and how after-hours and emergency care is 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 are directed to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Top Pulmonologist Providers in Nashville

1. Vanderbilt Pulmonary Clinic

Address: 1301 Medical Center Drive, B817, Nashville, TN 37232
Phone: (615) 322-2386
Website: https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/locations/vanderbilt-pulmonary-clinic
Services: pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary vascular and pulmonary hypertension care, interstitial and autoimmune lung disease, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) management, adult cystic fibrosis care, lung transplant and pediatric lung transplant services
Description: The Vanderbilt Pulmonary Clinic is part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the largest academic medical centers in the region, and serves as the outpatient home of the Vanderbilt Lung Institute. Located in building B817 on the main Medical Center Drive campus, the clinic brings together physicians in pulmonary and critical care medicine alongside related specialists. Its care team includes physicians such as Michael P. Combs, MD, MSc, Alexander G. Dragnich, MD, David B. Erasmus, MD, and Blake Funke, MD, working in pulmonary and critical care and, for several of them, lung transplantation. The clinic handles the full range of lung disease from common conditions to advanced cases requiring transplant evaluation, and its academic setting connects patients to subspecialty programs in pulmonary vascular disease, cystic fibrosis, and systemic autoimmune lung involvement.

2. Nashville General Hospital Pulmonology

Address: 1818 Albion Street, Nashville, TN 37208
Phone: (615) 341-4488
Website: https://nashvillegeneral.org/services/pulmonology
Services: pulmonary function testing, asthma diagnosis and management, COPD and emphysema care, imaging and diagnostic evaluation, preventive lung care, smoking cessation counseling, chronic disease follow-up monitoring
Description: Pulmonology at Nashville General Hospital provides outpatient lung care as part of the city’s longstanding safety-net hospital, located on Albion Street near the Meharry Medical College campus. The department’s board-certified pulmonologists include Wade Brown, MD, Richard Fremont, MD, and Alyssa Saelens, MD, who evaluate and treat conditions ranging from asthma, COPD, and emphysema to pulmonary fibrosis, chronic cough, sleep-related breathing disorders, and lung infections. The service emphasizes pulmonary function testing and diagnostic evaluation along with preventive care and smoking cessation counseling, and its hospital affiliation allows for coordinated inpatient and outpatient management. Office hours run Monday through Friday, and patients are seen within an integrated hospital setting that links pulmonology with radiology and other specialties.

3. Interventional Pulmonary of Nashville

Address: 397 Wallace Road, Suite 301, Nashville, TN 37211
Phone: (615) 342-1919
Website: https://www.tristarmedgroup.com/locations/interventional-pulmonary-of-nashville
Services: diagnosis and treatment of simple and complex lung diseases, minimally invasive interventional pulmonary procedures, advanced bronchoscopy, evaluation of lung nodules and lung cancer, management of pleural and airway conditions
Description: Interventional Pulmonary of Nashville is a TriStar Medical Group practice focused on the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of lung disease, with an emphasis on interventional procedures that use state-of-the-art technology to reach the airways and lung tissue. The practice serves patients across Middle Tennessee and is affiliated with TriStar Health, giving it access to a network of hospitals for inpatient procedures and follow-up care. Interventional pulmonology is a subspecialty within pulmonary medicine that concentrates on advanced bronchoscopic and pleural techniques, often used in the workup of suspicious lung nodules, the staging of lung cancer, and the management of complex airway and pleural problems. The practice positions itself for patients who need these targeted, image-guided procedures alongside standard pulmonary evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonologist in Nashville

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 often manages mild or stable breathing problems and refers more complex, persistent, or serious lung conditions to a pulmonologist for specialized testing and treatment.

Q: How can I verify that a Nashville 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. It is also reasonable to ask whether a pulmonologist is board certified in pulmonary disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Q: What tests might a pulmonologist in Nashville order?

Common pulmonary tests include pulmonary function testing (PFT), which measures lung capacity and airflow, bronchoscopy, which uses a thin scope to examine the airways and collect samples, and sleep studies for suspected sleep apnea. A pulmonologist may also use chest imaging such as X-rays and CT scans to evaluate lung nodules, infections, or interstitial lung disease. The specific tests depend on a patient’s symptoms and history, and the pulmonologist explains the purpose of each before it is performed.

Q: Are Nashville 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 a hospital system such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TriStar Health, or Nashville General Hospital. 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 Nashville?

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 Nashville?

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.