Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Katherine Johnson, MSN, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner at StatCare, providing complete pulmonology care to adults living in and around Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Athens, Tennessee.
Katherine began her career pursuits at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earning her undergraduate degree in nursing. While there, Katherine was a member of the women’s swim team and the Gamma Gamma Sigma Service Sorority.
After graduation, Katherine enrolled at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, obtaining her Master of Science in family nursing. She also completed a student nurse externship in a cardiovascular unit. There, Katherine received hands-on training in monitoring patients, responding to emergencies, and taking vital signs.
Katherine began her nursing career in 2007. Since then, she’s served in various capacities, including staff nurse at a renal and urology transplant unit and staff nurse at a medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Katherine takes a conservative and patient–centered approach to treatment, emphasizing healthy lifestyle changes and noninvasive measures.
Dr. Samuel is a native of Bristol, TN and moved to Knoxville in 2020 when she joined StatCare. She graduated from Emory & Henry College in 2009, and medical school from Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA in 2014. She completed residency at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, OH in 2017, and pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA in 2020. Dr. Samuel has special pulmonary interests in interstitial lung disease as well as early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Dr. Samuel is board certified by ABIM in Internal Medicine (2017), Pulmonary Medicine (2019), and Critical Care Medicine (2020). In her free time, she loves traveling domestically and internationally, snow skiing, lounging by any time of water, and of course, Tennessee Volunteer football.
Dr. Byrd comes to StatCare to practice in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine with a special interest in advanced pulmonary diagnostics utilizing bronchoscopic computer navigation and endobronchial ultrasound techniques for diagnosing lung lesions. She graduated from Harvard University in 1986. Dr. Byrd completed both Residency in 1995 and her Fellowship in 1998 at the University of Alabama. She received her board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1995, Pulmonary Disease in 1998, Critical Care Medicine in 2010 and currently remains board certified in these fields. Dr. Byrd is the Medical Director for Outpatient Services for StatCare. She is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians and the Tennessee Medical Association.
Since 1999, StatCare has been providing high-quality, personalized pulmonary and sleep medicine services to adults in and around Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Athens, Tennessee. The practice is one of the largest privately held internal medicine hospitalist and pulmonary services groups in the nation and has accreditation from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) as a certified center of excellence for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
With a focus on improving patient experience and treatment outcomes, the board-certified physicians take an evidence-based approach to care. They also value the importance of patient education to empower individuals to stay in control of their health.
StatCare offices feature advanced diagnostic technologies to identify conditions like pulmonary fibrosis, lung nodules and masses, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The providers customize treatment plans using lifestyle changes, medications, and other non-surgical therapies to improve lung function and resolve symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue.
The StatCare sleep clinic can address daytime sleepiness, cognitive issues, and other symptoms of sleep apnea, insomnia, and other sleep disorders. The outpatient sleep clinic provides resources like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask fittings and referrals for dental appliances to improve nighttime breathing.
StatCare providers are always striving to improve the patient experience. They offer in-office evaluations and can also meet with patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and other care settings. The providers serve as a communication bridge between primary care providers and specialists to ensure patients have the continuous care they deserve.
In addition to scheduled appointments, StatCare offers after-hours assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to address medical emergencies.
To schedule a consultation at StatCare, call the office near you or book an appointment online today.
Megan Ross, FNP-C, APRN, is a certified family nurse practitioner at StatCare, providing comprehensive pulmonology care to adults living in and around Knoxville, Oakridge, and Athens, Tennessee.
Megan earned two undergraduate degrees –– a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.
A few years later, she decided to pursue a graduate degree and returned to Southeastern Louisiana University, obtaining her Master of Science in nursing as a family nurse practitioner.
Megan has certifications in basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). She’s also a proud member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Megan has served in various medical settings during her career, including hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care. She has a friendly and compassionate demeanor and strives to provide ethical and evidence-based medical care.
Megan encourages anyone experiencing respiratory issues to contact the nearest StatCare location today.
Dr. Zibas comes to StatCare to practice in the field of hospitalist internal medicine. She graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1992. Dr. Zibas completed a residency in Internal Medicine at UAB in Birmingham, followed by a chief residency at Baptist Health Systems in Birmingham. She received her board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1996 and currently remains board certified. Dr. Zibas is a member of the American Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Tennessee Medical Association.
Dr. Weaver comes to StatCare practicing in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. He specializes in pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2002. Dr. Weaver completed Residency in 2005 and his Fellowship in 2008 at the University of Kentucky. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2005, Pulmonary Disease in 2008 and Critical Care Medicine in 2009 and remains board certified in both fields. Dr. Weaver is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians and Pulmonary Hypertension Association PHCR.
Dr. Rittgers comes to StatCare to practice in the field of hospitalist internal medicine. He graduated from Mercer University in 1998. Dr. Rittgers completed Residency in 2001. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2001 and currently remains board certified. Dr. Rittgers is a member of the American Medical Association and the Tennessee Medical Association. He has also been the Parkwest Medical Director since 2011.
Dr. Salter comes to StatCare to practice in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Dr. Salter graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1977. Dr. Salter specializes in diagnosing and treating cross-system illnesses that may affect multiple organ systems. As a respiratory specialist, Dr. Salter may diagnose and treat pulmonary disorders such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and bronchitis, among a host of others. He is certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease.
Dr. Pugh comes to StatCare to practice in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2010). He became a Doctor of Medicine in 2015 before completing both Residency and Fellowship at the University of Tennessee. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and the SVMIC Forum.
Dr. Morrison comes to StatCare to practice in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. He graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Morrison completed Internal Medicine Residency at Mercy Hospital with the University of Pittsburgh, PA and his Fellowship in 2009 at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. He has a special interest in advanced pulmonary diagnostics utilizing bronchoscopic computer navigation and endobronchial ultrasound techniques for diagnosing lung lesions. In addition to advanced diagnostics, he has an additional special interest in advanced interventional pulmonary including airway stenting, tumor debulking, bronchial thermoplastic, pleural diagnostics and interventions. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2006, Pulmonary Disease in 2008 and Critical Care Medicine in 2009 and remains board certified in both fields. Dr. Morrison is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Dr. Maroun joined StatCare in 2022 to practice pulmonary & critical care medicine. He graduated from the University of Balamand and completed Residency at Saint George Hospital. He completed his Critical Care Fellowship at the St. Elizabeth's Medical Center affiliated with Boston University, and his Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Maroun is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Thoracic Society, and the American College of CHEST Physicians. He is fluent in English and Arabic, and he enjoys skiing, running, and swimming.
Dr. Zulma Swank is a Pulmonologist in Knoxville, TN and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Parkwest Medical Center. Dr. Swank received her medical degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Virginia and then completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, followed by her Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University. She began working with StatCare in 2022.
Dr. Swank is board certified in both Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and has a special interest in asthma, interstitial lung disease, and the diagnosis of lung cancer. She is also trained in all aspects of lung disorders including COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and more.
Dr. Swank enjoys her free time doing water activities, traveling, and rooting for her favorite sports team - Go Hokies!
Dr. Alsharif practices pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine with StatCare. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Alsharif completed both Residency and Fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2012, Pulmonary Medicine in 2014, Critical Care Medicine in 2015, and Sleep Medicine in 2016. Dr. Alsharif is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Thoracic Society, and the American College of Chest Physicians.
Dr. Imayama joined StatCare to practice pulmonary and critical care medicine in 2024. She received her medical degree from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, completed Internal Medicine Residency training at Saint Francis Medical Center, and Fellowship training at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Imayama is board-certified in Critical Care, Pulmonary, and Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Smith comes to StatCare to practice in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine. He graduated from Medical College of Georgia in 1992. Dr. Smith completed Residency in 1995 and his Fellowship in 1988 at Wake Forest University. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2001, and Pulmonary Disease in 2005 and remains board certified in both fields. Dr. Smith is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians.
