Biography of Teresa Tyson
Dr. Teresa Owens Gardner Tyson, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP President and CEO, St. Mary’s Health Wagon
Transforming Healthcare in Central Appalachia
Born a coal miner's daughter in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Dr Teresa Tyson's life is a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and a relentless pursuit of healthcare equity. Growing up amidst the grinding poverty that overshadows the Appalachian Mountains, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of limited healthcare access on her community
Families often faced impossible choices between basic necessities and medical care, a reality that shaped her future mission Today, as President and CEO of St Mary's Health Wagon (Health Wagon), Dr. Tyson leads transformative healthcare initiatives that provide hope and healing to one of America's most underserved regions.
Visionary Leadership at the Health Wagon
Dr Tyson helms the Health Wagon, the oldest mobile free-nurse-managed health clinic in the nation, serving the uninsured and underinsured in rural Appalachian Virginia. The organization champions excellence, accessibility, empathy, community outreach, collaboration, spirituality, and empowerment through an expanding network of healthcare services
What began as a single mobile unit has grown into a comprehensive health system consisting of two stationary clinics, four mobile units, a pharmacy, and a state-of-the-art dental clinic. The Health Wagon serves as the only dedicated safety net system for those living in the farthest reaches of southwestern Virginia. In 2024 alone, the organization recorded 28,795 patient encounters, impacting 10,831 lives and providing critical care to some of the nation's most economically disadvantaged individuals
Virginia's Stark Healthcare Divide
Southwest Virginia epitomizes the stark contrast in wealth and health disparities within the state. No other state in the nation has a larger gap between its richest and poorest countries While Loudoun County boasts a median household income of $142,299, the situation is dire in places like Dickenson County, where the median income plummets to just $29,932. This vast disparity translates to a shocking reality Appalachian residents live ten years less than their Northern Virginia counterparts.
The challenges extend far beyond income disparities Rural healthcare barriers include limited access to specialists, inadequate transportation infrastructure, and a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. Many residents must travel hours for basic medical care, often postponing treatment until conditions become severe The region also faces higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, compounded by limited preventive care options. Dr. Tyson and her team work tirelessly to combat these systemic barriers, bringing vital healthcare services directly to communities where medical resources are scarce
Health Wagon's Heroic Mission
For over 46 years, the Health Wagon has served as a lifeline for healthcare access in Southwest Virginia. The organization takes a holistic approach, addressing both immediate vermedical needs and the underlying socioeconomic factors that influence health outcomes The rugged terrain of mountains, hollows, and winding roads presents unique challenges to healthcare delivery, but the Health Wagon meets these obstacles head-on, bringing mobile obile Clinicsclinics directly to remote communities where patients might otherwise go without care
Dr. Tyson's personal journey mirrors the resilience of the community she serves. Growing up in a coal mining family, she understood the hardships facing local residents Her dream of becoming a missionary doctor evolved into a mission to serve her own mountain people, recognizing that the greatest need lay in her own backyard. After completing her nursing degree, she returned home to work at the Health Wagon, where her commitment to the community only grew stronger
Through determination and academic excellence, she earned multiple degrees: a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Tennessee State University, all with honors
Trailblazing Innovations and Impact
Dr. Tyson and her dedicated staff save lives daily through innovative approaches and groundbreaking initiatives:
First FAA-Approved Drone Delivery in the United States: In 2015, Dr Tyson was an integral partner in the first FAA-approved drone delivery of pharmaceuticals, now featured in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
First Army Readiness Training Event in Virginia: In 2016, Dr. Tyson secured Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training, bringing no-cost dental, medical, vision, and veterinary services to the region
Telehealth Pioneer: The Health Wagon's robust telehealth network, one of the most utilized in Virginia, has been connecting patients to specialists for three decades
First Tele-cystoscopies via Telehealth in the World: Dr. Tyson participates in groundbreaking research with the University of Virginia, performing the world's first telehealth cystoscopies for bladder cancer detection.
Largest Healthcare Outreach in the US: Dr Tyson coordinates the Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7), formerly RAM, providing free medical, dental, and vision services to thousands annually. This event has served over 100,000 patients since its inception in 1999.
First Free Diagnostic Ultrasound Program: In partnership with the Phillips Foundation and Rad-Aid, the program provides free diagnostic imaging services with remote radiologist interpretation
Specialty Clinics and Programs: Under Tyson's leadership, the Health Wagon introduced free specialty services such as cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, and nephrology, along with innovative programs like the Medication-Assisted Treatment clinic for substance use disorder
Space X Star Link Partnership: The Health Wagon became the first mobile free clinic in the nation to have Starlink capabilities, revolutionizing healthcare access through satellite internet connectivity.
Community Impact and Recognition
Dr Tyson's groundbreaking work has garnered national and international attention Her efforts have been featured prominently in major media outlets, including compelling segments on 60 Minutes, Nightline, CBS Nightly News, Inside Edition, and in-depth coverage in the Washington Post and New York Times These platforms have helped highlight the critical healthcare challenges facing Appalachia while showcasing innovative solutions developed by the Health Wagon.
As a respected voice in rural healthcare, Dr Tyson has presented multiple times at the United Nations and World Health Organization, bringing global attention to the needs of underserved rural communities Her advocacy has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives Award (2023), Fierce Healthcare's Women of Influence Awards (2022), and the United Nations Inspiring Global Nurse
Award (2017) Each recognition has helped amplify the voices of Appalachian communities and their healthcare needs.
Educational Leadership and Future Healthcare Providers
Understanding that sustainable healthcare improvement requires training the next generation, Dr. Tyson has developed extensive partnerships with over 50 academic institutions. Students from prestigious universities, including Harvard, University of Virginia, University of Richmond, and East Tennessee State University, gain invaluable hands-on experience in rural healthcare delivery.
These educational programs go beyond clinical training, immersing students in Appalachian culture and the unique challenges of rural healthcare delivery. Many program graduates have chosen to continue serving rural communities, creating a lasting impact on healthcare accessibility
Accelerated Growth and Future Vision
The Health Wagon's evolution under Dr. Tyson's leadership has been remarkable. What began as a one-person operation has grown into a robust organization with over 50 staff members, including ten Doctors of Nursing Practice/Nurse Practitioners Working alongside her childhood friend and Vice President, Dr. Paula Hill Collins, she continues to pioneer innovative healthcare solutions for rural communities
Looking ahead to 2025-2030, the Health Wagon has ambitious plans to further expand its services Initiatives include launching mobile endoscopy services to enhance cancer prevention,
creating a lung cancer mobile CT screening program, expanding dental and pharmacy services to reach more underserved communities, implementing a mobile surgical unit for cataract surgeries, and developing Virginia's Rural Sky Disaster RAPID Response Initiative These programs represent a comprehensive approach to addressing the region's most pressing healthcare needs.
Personal Commitment and Lasting Legacy
Married to Tim and a mother of four with three grandchildren, Dr Tyson's dedication to healthcare equity is deeply personal. Her own daughter's survival of a brain tumor at age seven reinforced her understanding of healthcare's critical importance and the need for accessible medical services This personal experience continues to fuel her passion for ensuring quality healthcare reaches every corner of Appalachia.
Dr Teresa Tyson's unwavering dedication to Appalachia's underserved communities represents more than professional accomplishment it embodies the transformation of personal experience into meaningful change Through innovative leadership, persistent advocacy, and deep compassion, she ensures that no community is left behind in the pursuit of health equity Her story proves that one coal miner's daughter's vision to address health inequality in Appalachia can create lasting, meaningful change for generations to come
The Health Wagon's success under Dr. Tyson's leadership demonstrates that innovative solutions, combined with unwavering commitment, can overcome even the most challenging healthcare barriers As the organization continues to grow and evolve, it stands as a model for rural healthcare delivery and a beacon of hope for underserved communities nationwide.
