Dr. Teresa Owens Gardner Tyson, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP
President and CEO, St. Mary’s Health Wagon
In the coal mining heartlands of Appalachia, Dr. Teresa Tyson’s life began with an intimate view of the struggles faced by her community. The daughter of a coal miner, she grew up witnessing the harsh realities of life without adequate healthcare, which laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to healthcare advocacy and reform. Her journey from a coal miner's daughter to the President and CEO of St. Mary’s Health Wagon is a profound testimony to her dedication to improving healthcare access and equity.
Steering St. Mary’s Health Wagon
Dr. Tyson leads St. Mary's Health Wagon, a cornerstone institution for health in rural Appalachian Virginia. This organization, which began as a modest operation, has grown tremendously under her leadership, now encompassing a comprehensive network that includes two fixed clinics, several mobile health units, a full-service pharmacy, and an advanced dental clinic. In 2024, her organization provided 28,795 patient encounters, significantly impacting the lives of 10,831 people.
Challenging Economic and Health Disparities
The stark disparities between the economic conditions in Appalachia and other parts of Virginia, especially Northern Virginia, underscore the critical work done by the Health Wagon. While some areas boast median household incomes exceeding $140,000, many Appalachian regions struggle with median incomes around $30,000, contributing to severe health disparities, including a significant gap in life expectancy.
Dr. Tyson has been instrumental in addressing these disparities by focusing on enhancing healthcare service delivery through the Health Wagon. Her work aims to overcome barriers such as specialist shortages, inadequate transportation, and the prevalence of chronic diseases, which are rampant in her community.
Comprehensive Care and Community Outreach
Under Dr. Tyson's leadership, the Health Wagon’s strategy extends beyond merely treating diseases; it embraces a holistic approach to health that considers the broader socioeconomic determinants. The organization’s services are a lifeline for many, addressing immediate health needs and the complex factors influencing community health outcomes.
Her early experiences in Appalachia, marked by witnessing the pervasive healthcare inadequacies that affected her family and neighbors, have fueled her resolve to transform these challenges into opportunities for health advocacy and improvement. This personal drive motivated her to pursue and excel in her academic and professional endeavors, earning 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, achieving honors at each institution.
Pioneering Healthcare Innovations
Dr. Tyson has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives that have set benchmarks in healthcare delivery. These include partnering in the first FAA-approved drone delivery of pharmaceuticals in the U.S., now part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, and launching the first Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training in Virginia, which provided a broad range of free health services.
Her forward-thinking approach to telehealth has made the Health Wagon a model in Virginia, connecting patients with critical specialist care remotely for over thirty years. In collaboration with the University of Virginia, she has also led innovative telehealth research, including pioneering tele-cystoscopies, a first for bladder cancer detection.
Dr. Tyson also oversees the annual Move Mountains Medical Mission, one of the most significant free health outreach initiatives in the U.S., which has provided comprehensive care to over 100,000 patients since 1999. Her efforts have also launched the first free diagnostic ultrasound program in partnership with the Phillips Foundation and Rad-Aid, dramatically expanding diagnostic services in Appalachia.
Educational Partnerships and Future Visions
Recognizing the critical role of education in long-term healthcare improvement, Dr. Tyson has developed partnerships with over 50 academic institutions. These collaborations offer students from prestigious universities such as Harvard, the University of Virginia, and others invaluable exposure to rural healthcare challenges and delivery, fostering a new generation of healthcare providers committed to rural health.
Her initiatives have gained national and international recognition, positioning her as a prominent voice in rural healthcare reform. Her efforts have been highlighted across major media outlets, reinforcing the urgent need for continued innovation in healthcare delivery in rural America.
Expansion Plans and Personal Motivation
Dr. Tyson has ambitious plans to extend the reach and scope of the Health Wagon’s services from 2025 to 2030. These include introducing mobile endoscopy units, expanding lung cancer screening programs, and developing mobile surgical units for essential surgeries like cataract removal. Additionally, plans are underway to broaden the dental and pharmaceutical services to ensure comprehensive care reaches every corner of her community.
Dr. Tyson's connection to healthcare is deeply rooted in her family's encounters with medical challenges, mainly influenced by her daughter's survival of a brain tumor. This experience has deepened her understanding of the critical nature of accessible healthcare and continues to drive her passionate advocacy for healthcare reform.
Legacy and Ongoing Contributions
Dr. Tyson's efforts have revolutionized healthcare delivery in one of the nation’s most underserved regions and provided a blueprint for similar healthcare interventions worldwide. Her visionary leadership and commitment to community service have earned her numerous accolades and recognition, further amplifying her impact on global healthcare discussions.
Her work, deeply embedded in her personal history and professional dedication, is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity through resilience and committed leadership. Teresa Tyson Health Wagon’s legacy in Appalachia is not just in her organization's services but also in the hope and empowerment she brings to her community. Her story is a testament to the belief that substantial change is possible with passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication, ensuring that healthcare equity is a reachable goal for all, irrespective of their geographic or economic status. As she continues to lead and inspire, she remains a beacon of progress in healthcare, symbolizing that actual change starts with a commitment to serve.
