PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
From: The Health Wagon, 5626 Patriot Drive/P.O. Box 7070, Wise, VA 24293
Contact: Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC, President and CEO (drtysonnp@thehealthwagon.org), Mobile: 276-337-6848
Date of Release: 2/26/2026
Health Wagon’s Free Community Health Fair to be Held in Partnership with ETSU Health’s Quillen College of Medicine for 38th Annual Spring Health Fair
Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7) Takes Place March 12-13 in Southwest Virginia – Longest Running Health Fair in Virginia
(Wise, Va.) – The Health Wagon, in collaboration with East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Health’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine, is proud to announce upcoming Free Community Health Fairs aimed at providing essential healthcare services to individuals and families in need. This long-standing partnership between the two organizations continues the legacy of service which has been dedicated to improving healthcare access in the Appalachian region for over three decades.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 12, at the Smiddy Clinic in Wise and Friday, March 13, at Sr. Bernie Kenny Clinic in Clintwood. Times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Open to the public, the health fair will offer a vast array of free health care services. Some of the many services will include screenings, wellness exams, diagnostic testing such as ultrasounds and X-rays, lab work, immunizations, dental care (3/12 only by appt), eye screenings, hearing testing, hearing aids (3/12 only), Pap test, mammograms (3/13 only),
oral cancer screenings, and consultations with healthcare professionals. In addition, a pharmacist will be available to discuss medication needs. Participants will also have access to free food boxes, clothing, toiletries, health education resources, chronic disease management support, and information on community programs designed to promote overall well-being. Dr. Joe Smiddy, pulmonologist, will be offering chest X-ray, breathing testing and smoking cessation guidance and medications to help smokers quit smoking.
“For many years, the James H. Quillen College of Medicine has played a vital role in training compassionate physicians who serve in rural and underserved areas,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP. “This health fair embodies that mission by directly bringing quality healthcare to the community, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to essential medical services. Participants can take advantage of thousands of dollars in health care services free of charge as we seek to remove the financial barrier to healthcare during this event.”
Up to a dozen medical students who are on community health rotation will serve patients during each day of the health fair, according to Dr. John S. Culp, an ETSU Health Family Medicine Bristol physician and professor at the Quillen College of Medicine.
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students and for the community,” Dr. Culp said. “Our learners gain meaningful, hands-on experience providing screenings and preventive services in a real-world setting. Through these events, we’re often able to identify health concerns individuals may not even realize they have and help connect them with a primary care provider for ongoing care. At the same time, community members can access free labs and a wide range of services in one convenient setting. It’s a rewarding experience for our students and a powerful way to expand access to care — truly a comprehensive bundle of services designed to make a lasting impact.” (See list below).
The Quillen College of Medicine, established in 1974, has long been a leader in rural medicine, training generations of healthcare providers committed to addressing the unique challenges that underserved communities face. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Quillen No. 2 in the nation for medical schools with the most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas and Top 16 in the nation for primary care. Through initiatives like this health fair, the institution continues its legacy of service, working alongside organizations like The Health Wagon to bridge healthcare gaps and improve health outcomes.
This event is free and open to all individuals, with no insurance required. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and take advantage of the variety of services available. This event is made possible by many wonderful individuals and partners that serve from the heart.
For more information, please contact the Health Wagon at 276-328-8850 or visit https://thehealthwagon.org.
About The Health Wagon
The Health Wagon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to medically underserved populations in Appalachia. Through mobile health clinics, stationary clinics, pharmacy, dental clinic and community outreach, the Health Wagon offers free medical, dental, and vision services to those in need, ensuring that no one is left behind in their pursuit of health and wellness.
About James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Founded in 1974, East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine is nationally recognized for its commitment to training physicians who serve rural and underserved communities. With a focus on primary care and community engagement, the college continues to uphold its mission of improving healthcare access and advancing medical education in the Appalachian region.
Services include:
• Physical Exams
• Ultrasound
• Oral Cancer Screenings
• Free Reading Glasses Available
• Limited Lab Services
• Cardiovascular/Stroke Screening
• Pharmacy Consult (Please bring medication full list or bottles)
• Diabetes Screenings
• Health Education and Resources
• EKG/Echocardiograms
• Blood Pressure Readings
• Nutrition Education
• Behavioral/Mental Health
• Pulmonology/Chest X-ray
• ACE Scoring and Psych Evaluation
• PAP Tests
• Non-Opioid Pain Management Clinic – Zimmer Soundwave Therapy
• Breathing Tests
• Hearing Screenings (ETSU)
• Special Weight Management Clinic
• Hearing Aids (March 12th only)
• Facial Skin Scanner/Analyzer
•Pulmonologist
•Chest X-Ray
•PFTS
• Skin Cancer Screening/Biopsies
• Ankle Brachial Tests
• Bone Density Screenings
• Mammogram Registration
• New Medicaid Enrollment
• Flu Vaccines (Uninsured only)
• Liver Stats and Testing
• Trigger Point and Joint Injections
• TDAP Immunizations
• FIT Colon Cancer Screening Test
###
Photo Caption: (Credit: The Health Wagon)
Medical students and residents from the ETSU James H. Quillen College of Medicine posed with representatives of the Health Wagon in 2025: Jen Hammons, PharmD; Teresa Tyson, DNP, Paula Hill-Collins, DNP along with Joe Smiddy, MD, Medical Director of the Health Wagon and John S. Culp, MD from the ETSU James H. Quillen College of Medicine. A similar team will collaborate this year to provide care at the Health Wagon’s Free community Health Fair March 12-13 in Wise and Clintwood, Va.