About Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson

Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, is a visionary leader and President and CEO of The Health Wagon, the nation’s oldest mobile health clinic, serving Southwest Virginia’s underserved communities since 1998. Born to a coal miner’s family in Appalachia, her childhood amid poverty and healthcare disparities, coupled with her daughter’s survival of a brain tumor at age seven, ignited a 35-year mission to deliver compassionate, innovative care to those in need.

Under Dr. Tyson’s leadership, The Health Wagon has grown into a multistate network of five stationary and five mobile clinics, providing over $28 million in free medical, dental, pharmacy, and telehealth services to 10,831 patients in 2024 alone. Her groundbreaking innovations include the first FAA-approved drone delivery of medications in 2015, now enshrined in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and tele-cystoscopies with the University of Virginia, bringing advanced diagnostics to rural areas. As co-founder of the Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7), she has delivered free care to over 100,000 patients, making it the largest health outreach in the U.S.

A global advocate for health equity, Dr. Tyson has spoken at the United Nations and World Health Organization, earning accolades like the 2025 YWCA Tribute to Women Award, 2022 Fierce Healthcare Women of Influence Award, and 2014 Daily Point of Light Award from George H.W. Bush. She has secured over $20 million in grants, including a $1 million Bedford Falls Foundation grant in 2025, to expand services like the Integrative Comprehensive Care Collective (ICCC), a model she founded that integrates medical, behavioral, and pharmaceutical care.

Full list of awards:

• YWCA Tribute to Women Award in Healthcare, 2025
• National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives Award, 2023
• Fierce Healthcare’s Women of Influence Awards, 2022
• Grant Management Workshop Grantee Award for Appalachian Regional Commission Project, Expansion of Primary Care in the Appalachian Region, 2021
• Dr. Teresa Tyson DNP and Dr. Paula Hill-Collins DNP in attendance at the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center conference (awards and grants were awarded), 2021
• Red Letter Award, 2020, 2023
• Top 100 People in Virginia to Meet in 2020, 2019
• PBS Be More Award, 2019
• Community Transformers Award, December 2019
• Governor’s Volunteerism and Services Award, 2019
• MATRC Breaking the Barriers Through Telehealth MATRC Award, 2019
• Virginia Nurses Foundation Gala Award Finalist, 2017
• Connections for Cardiovascular Health Grant Awardee, 2017
• Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative Award on Behalf of the Health Wagon, 2017
• Leadership Excellence Award, Virginia Nursing Foundation, 2017
• Primary Care Community Leadership/Research Award, 2017
• United Nation’s Inspiring Global Nurse Award, 2017
• AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation Connections for Cardiovascular Health Grant Award, 2017
• ETSU College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award, 2015
• ETSU National Alumni Association Alumni Award of Honor, 2015
• Daily Point of Light Award, 2014
• Cabot Community Celebrity Award, 2014
• AANP Domestic Humanitarian Award, 2012
• AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence, 2009
• Kid’s Central, Inc. Community Service Award, 2008
• Virginia Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Group Award, 2007
• Governor’s Nonprofit Volunteer Award, 2007
• Virginia Governor’s Community Service and Volunteerism Administrator Award, 2004
• Virginia Rural Health Association’s Best Practice Award, 2004
• Award for Outstanding Devotion to Community, American Breast Cancer Foundation, 2001
• Graduated summa cum laude, University of Kentucky, 1998
• Graduated cum laude, East Tennessee State University, 1989
• Dean’s List, East Tennessee State University, 1987-1989
• Dean’s List, University of Virginia at Wise, 1985-86
• Wise Appalachian Auxiliary Scholarship, University of Virginia at Wise, 1985-1986
• Bascom Slemp Scholarship, 1985-1989

With a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science in Nursing (summa cum laude) from the University of Kentucky, and certifications like IAFN Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Master Injector, Dr. Tyson is a licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse across four states. She mentors and trains future healthcare leaders as a preceptor and clinical partner with over 50 universities and colleges, including Harvard and Georgetown.

Dr. Tyson’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through ventures like Forever Young Aesthetics and Weight Loss, Hettie’s Haven, a residential service for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and Click Care, LLC, a digital healthcare platform. Her vision for 2030 includes mobile endoscopy units and expanded cancer screenings, ensuring equitable healthcare for Appalachia’s future. Join her mission to transform lives through accessible, compassionate care.

For a detailed overview of Dr. Tyson’s experience and accomplishments, please see her full CV.