Sleep medicine in Tennessee is practiced under TCA Title 63, Chapter 6 by physicians licensed through the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. Board certification in Sleep Medicine is an ABMS subspecialty issued through ABIM, ABFM, ABP, ABPN, ABA, ABO, or ABPM following an ACGME-accredited fellowship. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accredits sleep facilities against standards for polysomnography (PSG), home sleep apnea testing (HSAT), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration, and oral appliance coordination with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). PSG is classified Type I (attended in-lab), Type II (unattended full-channel), Type III (limited channel HSAT), and Type IV (single or dual channel). The three Nashville-area practices below each list AASM accreditation and at least one ABMS-certified Sleep Medicine physician.
Quick Comparison #
| Center | Setting | Accreditation Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center | Academic medical center, multi-site | AASM accredited |
| Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee | Independent regional group with three locations | AASM accredited |
| Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Center for Sleep | Hospital-affiliated sleep center | Hospital-based sleep program |
1. Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center #
Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center is part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and holds accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The program operates dedicated sleep laboratories in Nashville, Franklin, and Lebanon. Beth Malow MD has served as program director and holds ABMS certification in Neurology, Sleep Medicine, and Clinical Neurophysiology. The center is staffed by physicians from neurology, pulmonary medicine, and pediatrics, supporting both adult and pediatric airway-related sleep evaluations.
Diagnostic Scope #
The center performs attended in-lab polysomnography (Type I PSG), unattended home sleep apnea testing (Type III HSAT), multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT), and maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWT). The diagnostic protocol distinguishes obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, REM sleep behavior disorder, and narcolepsy.
Treatment Pathways #
Treatment options include CPAP titration with in-lab adjustment, bilevel positive airway pressure, adaptive servo-ventilation, and coordination with otolaryngology and oral surgery for upper airway procedures. The Sleep Medicine Fellowship within the Department of Neurology is ACGME accredited and trains future ABMS Sleep Medicine diplomates.
Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center
2555 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 936-0060
https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/service-line/sleep-disorders-center
2. Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee #
Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee operates AASM-accredited facilities in Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville. The group reports more than three decades of sleep medicine practice and an annual sleep study volume reaching roughly 6,000 cases across all sites. Gabe Tallent MD, Mayo Clinic trained, leads the medical team. The Nashville office on State Street serves Davidson County patients with both in-lab PSG and home sleep apnea testing.
Diagnostic Scope #
The center conducts attended in-lab polysomnography, home sleep apnea tests for uncomplicated suspected obstructive sleep apnea, split-night studies pairing diagnostic PSG with same-night CPAP titration, and pediatric sleep studies through referral channels. The reported diagnostic library covers more than 90 sleep disorders.
Treatment Pathways #
Treatment options include CPAP and bilevel device prescription with in-house durable medical equipment supply, oral appliance therapy coordinated with AADSM-credentialed dentists, Inspire upper airway stimulation referral, remote CPAP adherence monitoring, and telemedicine follow-up across all three locations.
Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee
2222 State Street, Suite D
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 893-4896
https://www.sleepcenterinfo.com/
3. Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Center for Sleep #
Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Center for Sleep is the hospital-affiliated sleep program inside the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown campus, located in the 20th Avenue Building. The center performs sleep studies and offers ongoing management within the broader Ascension Medical Group physician network that includes pulmonology and otolaryngology. Sleep medicine physicians practicing through Ascension Medical Group Saint Thomas Midtown Sleep Specialists carry Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners licensure under TCA Title 63, Chapter 6.
Diagnostic Scope #
The center conducts attended polysomnography in private sleep suites and arranges home sleep apnea testing for appropriate candidates. Studies are scored to AASM rules and interpreted by sleep medicine physicians within the Ascension network. Referrals can move directly between sleep medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, and ENT inside the same hospital system.
Treatment Pathways #
After diagnosis, patients can be transitioned to CPAP therapy with in-network durable medical equipment suppliers, oral appliance therapy through coordinated dental sleep medicine providers, or surgical consultation through ENT for upper airway anatomy. The hospital setting supports complex patients with cardiac or pulmonary comorbidity.
Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Center for Sleep
300 20th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 284-7537
Selection Methodology #
Each center was reviewed against four criteria. First, the facility must hold American Academy of Sleep Medicine accreditation or operate within a hospital system that maintains AASM-accredited testing. Second, at least one supervising physician must hold ABMS Sleep Medicine subspecialty certification, verifiable through ABMS Certification Matters. Third, the center must offer both attended in-lab polysomnography and home sleep apnea testing, scored to AASM rules. Fourth, the facility must operate from a publicly verifiable Davidson or Williamson County address with a working direct phone line.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What is the difference between Type I and Type III sleep studies?
Type I is an attended in-lab polysomnogram with EEG, EOG, EMG, ECG, oximetry, airflow, and effort channels. Type III is a home sleep apnea test that records airflow, effort, and oximetry without EEG. AASM guidance reserves HSAT for patients with a moderate to high pretest probability of uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea.
What does AASM accreditation require of a sleep center?
AASM accreditation requires medical director certification in Sleep Medicine, qualified registered polysomnographic technologists, written scoring rules tied to the AASM Manual, periodic facility inspection, and quality assurance documentation. Centers reapply on a five-year cycle.
Which board certification qualifies a physician to read sleep studies?
ABMS Sleep Medicine is a subspecialty offered through ABIM, ABFM, ABP, ABPN, ABA, ABO, and ABPM. Physicians complete an ACGME-accredited Sleep Medicine fellowship and pass the certifying examination. Certification status can be verified at ABMS Certification Matters.
How is oral appliance therapy coordinated with a sleep clinic?
After AASM-graded diagnosis, the sleep physician can refer to a dentist credentialed by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine for mandibular advancement device fitting. Efficacy is typically confirmed by a follow-up sleep study with the device in place.
Editorial Note #
This guide was published on 2026-05-11 and reflects research current as of that date. Verify licenses, phone numbers, and current business status before engaging any firm.