Health Wagon CEO named NRHA Rural Health Practitioner of the Year

WISE – The Health Wagon CEO Teresa Tyson is now the second member of the organization to be named Rural Health Practitioner of the Year in seven years.The National Rural Health Association awarded Tyson at its annual Rural Health Conference at San Diego in May, recognizing her impact on healthcare delivery in Southwest Virginia and across rural Appalachia.Health Wagon Clinical Director Paula Hill-Collins received the same award in 2019.Tyson began her career with the Health Wagon 30 years ago as a nurse practitioner under the leadership of Health Wagon Founder sister Bernie Kenny.Among her many accomplishments, Tyson was responsible for bringing to the region the large-scale outreach known as Move Mountains Medical Mission, formerly the Remote Area Medical Wise County event. This initiative has provided comprehensive medical, dental, vision, diagnostics and specialty services to thousands of patients since its inception. At the 20-year mark, more than 100,000 patient encounters had been performed. Tyson also worked with drone company Flirtey on the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved drone medication delivery in the United States—now recognized by the Smithsonian Institution. She also supported the world's first telecystoscopy, demonstrating that access to specialized urologic care through telehealth reducing the need for long-distance travel can be accomplished."I am deeply honored to receive this award from NRHA," said Tyson. "This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire Health Wagon team and our mission to ensure that every individual—regardless of where they live—has access to high-quality, compassionate care.""NRHA's Rural Health Awards recognize significant achievements from those providing high-quality health care to the communities they serve," said NHRA Chief Operations Officer Brock Slabach. "In addition, these winners serve as models of best practices for others to emulate. NRHA is pleased to recognize the accomplishments and innovations of these remarkable individuals and organizations."