Tennessee recorded a maternal mortality rate of 41.1 per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022, the highest five-year rate among all states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024). That figure translates to roughly 166 maternal deaths over the period, a stark reminder that obstetric and gynecological care in the Volunteer State carries stakes far beyond routine wellness exams. The Tennessee Department of Health maintains a Maternal Mortality Review Committee under T.C.A. 68-3-601, an interdisciplinary body that investigates every pregnancy-associated death and publishes annual recommendations aimed at reducing preventable losses.
All obstetrician-gynecologists practicing in Tennessee must hold an active medical license from the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (BME), governed by T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 6. Applicants must graduate from an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school, complete an accredited OB-GYN residency of four years, and pass all three steps of the USMLE or COMLEX. The BME requires 40 hours of continuing medical education every two years, including two hours focused on controlled substance prescribing (BME Rule 0880-02). Board certification through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) is not mandated by state law, yet the vast majority of practicing OB-GYNs in Tennessee hold ABOG certification because most hospital credentialing committees require it. Tennessee also participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, allowing physicians licensed in other member states to obtain a Tennessee license through an expedited pathway.
Maternal care access differs sharply across the state. In urban counties like Knox, Davidson, and Shelby, expectant mothers travel an average of six to eight miles to the nearest birthing hospital, while rural counties in Appalachian East Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland can require drives of 40 to 57 miles (March of Dimes, 2023). Between 2019 and 2020, Tennessee experienced a 6.3 percent decrease in the number of birthing hospitals, a trend that has pushed health systems to expand maternal telehealth programs and remote fetal monitoring. The state extended Medicaid (TennCare) postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months, aligning with recommendations from the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In 2024, approximately 9,127 babies were born preterm in Tennessee, representing a preterm birth rate of 10.9 percent (March of Dimes, 2025).
Choosing an OB-GYN involves evaluating hospital affiliations, delivery philosophy, and scope of services. Some practices focus exclusively on obstetrics with a single-provider delivery model, while others operate as multi-physician groups where several board-certified OB-GYNs rotate call schedules. Patients should confirm that the practice accepts their insurance plan, verify the physician’s active license through the Tennessee Department of Health’s online verification portal, and ask about the availability of certified nurse midwives or nurse practitioners on the care team. For high-risk pregnancies involving conditions like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or multiple gestation, access to a Level III or Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the delivering hospital becomes an important consideration.
Top Obstetrician-Gynecologist Providers in Tennessee
1. Women Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Address: 300 20th Ave N #505, Nashville, TN 37203
- Phone: (615) 340-4655
- Website: https://womenob.net
- Rating: 3.9/5 (196 reviews)
- Services: Prenatal and obstetric care, high-risk pregnancy management, gynecological exams, contraception counseling, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, postpartum care
- Description: Women Obstetrics & Gynecology is an all-female provider practice in the Midtown Nashville medical district. The group guides patients from prenatal visits through labor and delivery, with physicians who perform their own patients’ deliveries at nearby hospitals.
2. Dr Martin’s Obgyn, Inc
- Address: 501 19th St STE 304, Knoxville, TN 37916
- Phone: (865) 546-6721
- Website: https://drmartinobgyn.com
- Rating: 4.7/5 (907 reviews)
- Services: Pregnancy and obstetric care, high-risk obstetrics, gynecological exams, advanced laparoscopic surgery, family planning, pediatric and adolescent gynecology
- Description: Dr. Duy-Thu Martin operates a solo-physician OB-GYN practice inside the Trustees Tower at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in downtown Knoxville. Her model centers on continuity of care, with Dr. Martin personally attending every delivery for her patients.
3. Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville, P.C.
- Address: 2011 Murphy Ave STE 601, Nashville, TN 37203
- Phone: (615) 329-6745
- Website: https://wmaofnashville.com
- Rating: 3.9/5 (103 reviews)
- Services: Obstetric care including high-risk pregnancy, gynecological surgery, well-woman exams, mammography screening, menopause management, contraception services
- Description: Women’s Medical Associates of Nashville has served the Middle Tennessee community since 2002. The practice holds privileges at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Centennial Women’s and Children’s Hospital, giving patients a choice of delivery location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Obstetrician-Gynecologists in Tennessee
Q: What license must an OB-GYN hold to practice in Tennessee?
An obstetrician-gynecologist must hold an active medical license from the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (BME), issued under T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 6. The physician must have graduated from an accredited medical school, completed a four-year OB-GYN residency, and passed the USMLE or COMLEX. Patients can verify any Tennessee physician’s license status through the Department of Health’s online license verification tool at tn.gov.
Q: Does Tennessee require OB-GYNs to be board certified?
State law does not mandate ABOG board certification for a physician to practice obstetrics and gynecology. However, most Tennessee hospitals require board certification or board eligibility as a condition of granting hospital privileges. Patients who want confirmation of board status can check the ABOG verification database at abog.org.
Q: How long does TennCare cover postpartum care?
Tennessee extended TennCare postpartum coverage to 12 months following delivery, up from the previous 60-day federal minimum. This extension covers physician visits, mental health services, prescription medications, and other medically necessary care during the first year after childbirth.
Q: What should patients consider when choosing between a solo OB-GYN and a group practice?
A solo OB-GYN typically provides a single physician for every prenatal visit and delivery, offering strong continuity of care. A group practice may rotate providers during appointments and call shifts, meaning the delivering physician could differ from the primary prenatal provider. Patients should ask about call coverage, weekend and holiday protocols, and whether the practice includes certified nurse midwives for patients who prefer a midwifery approach.
Q: Are certified nurse midwives licensed to deliver babies in Tennessee?
Yes. Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are licensed through the Tennessee Board of Nursing and practice under a collaborative agreement with a physician. CNMs can manage low-risk pregnancies, attend deliveries, and provide gynecological care. Tennessee law requires a written protocol between the CNM and the collaborating physician outlining the scope of practice and referral criteria for complications.
Q: How does Tennessee’s maternal mortality rate compare to the national average?
Tennessee’s maternal mortality rate of 41.1 per 100,000 live births (2018 to 2022) exceeds the national average by a significant margin (NCHS, 2024). The Tennessee Maternal Mortality Review Committee identified cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions, and substance use as leading contributing factors. The state’s 2025 to 2030 Maternal Health Strategic Plan targets expanded telehealth access and remote patient monitoring to reduce preventable deaths, particularly in rural maternity care deserts.