Why we changed our name: Introducing Catawba Valley Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Catawba Valley Pulmonology has proudly served our community for many years through comprehensive outpatient pulmonary care. Respiratory health remains a central part of our mission. Sleep health now occupies an equally significant role in the care we provide, which is why we have changed our name to Catawba Valley Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine.

The addition of “sleep medicine” to our practice name reflects the expansion of our expertise and the essential role sleep plays in whole-person health. Many pulmonary conditions directly affect sleep, and many sleep disorders impact respiratory function. The new name communicates this relationship more clearly to our patients and reinforces the breadth of care available within our practice.

“We added sleep to our name because sleep is a critical part of the service we provide to the community. With the size of our sleep center and number of board-certified sleep specialists, we are the largest sleep provider in the area. This allows us to have a comprehensive sleep center providing the full spectrum of sleep services for our patients. I am proud to say that it is also a very high-quality service as well,” said Richard W. Pomerantz, MD, FCCP, board certified in sleep medicine.

Sleep medicine: A major focus of patient care

Our clinical teams regularly diagnose and treat interstitial lung disease, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory failure, allergies and asthma. A large portion of our patient population experiences sleep-related concerns as part of their overall respiratory health. Feedback has shown that many community members did not immediately associate the term “pulmonology” with sleep disorders. The name update removes confusion and highlights the comprehensive care provided by our board-certified sleep specialists.

Continued partnership with the Center for Sleep Disorders

Some community members have asked whether this name change signals a move for the Center for Sleep Disorders. The center remains fully operational at its current location on Tate Boulevard, performing all home sleep tests and in-lab studies.

Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Center for Sleep Disorders offers diagnostic testing for a wide range of sleep disorders including:

• Sleep apnea
• Narcolepsy
• Hypersomnia
• Periodic limb movement disorder
• Restless leg syndrome
• Other complex sleep conditions

Testing services include home-based evaluations and attended sleep studies in our dedicated lab. In-lab options include baseline studies, CPAP and BiPAP titration, ASV titration, Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT), PAP-NAP sessions for mask desensitization and initial and post-implant Inspire testing.

The Center for Sleep Disorders performs testing, while sleep specialists at Catawba Valley Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine interpret results and provide diagnoses. Patients may be seen directly in our practice or return to their referring provider depending on what best supports continuity of care.

A shared mission to improve quality of life

Although the Center for Sleep Disorders and clinical practice operate separately, both remain highly collaborative. Nearly all sleep studies are interpreted by one of the practice’s board-certified sleep experts, including the medical director of the sleep center. The coordinated partnership ensures that patients receive a seamless experience from testing to diagnosis to treatment.

The expanded practice name reinforces a shared goal: improving patient outcomes through better breathing and better sleep.

Catawba Valley Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine looks forward to advancing community awareness of sleep health and continuing to deliver high-quality care close to home.

To learn more about CVHS Specialty Care practices, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Specialty