Theresa Anderson-Swanson’s journey into pediatric sleep diagnostics was shaped by personal experience and a deep commitment to helping children and families. Over time, that experience has grown into a career where she has helped expand how pediatric sleep conditions are understood, diagnosed, and treated in the Chattanooga region.
Her focus on this work is rooted in personal experience. As a young mother, she advocated for her son when he showed signs of sleep apnea at a time when pediatric cases were rarely identified. That experience, along with the later loss of her first husband to untreated sleep apnea, shaped her commitment to improving awareness and care.
Theresa entered the field in 2006, enrolling in Chattanooga’s first A-Step program and earning her Registered Polysomnographic Technologist credential. She gained broad experience early in her career, but consistently gravitated toward pediatrics, contributing to emerging practices in pediatric sleep testing.
In 2016, she returned to the Chattanooga area and joined Erlanger’s Pediatric Sleep Lab as it was just getting started. She played a key role in building the program and strengthening its focus on specialized pediatric care. To continue advancing her impact, she partnered with Volunteer State Community College, earning both her Certificate in Sleep Diagnostic Technology and her Associate of Applied Science in Health Science – Sleep Diagnostic Technology in 2018. She later earned her Certification in Clinical Sleep Health and became one of the first certified in Pediatric Sleep Testing, helping support new protocols and training in the field.
Today, Theresa serves as the Pediatric Sleep Coordinator for the only pediatric sleep lab in Chattanooga. She coordinates care across teams, supports families, and helps train technologists to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients.
Theresa credits Vol State with helping her expand her skills and move her career forward. Her journey highlights how education, purpose, and persistence can lead to meaningful impact.
Her advice is simple: invest in yourself. Time will pass either way, so decide where you want to be and take the steps to get there.
