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Stay Up to Date on What’s Happening with the Health Wagon

Heart of Giving Podcast: Give it a Listen!

This Week on The Heart of Giving: Teresa Tyson shares the remarkable story of The Health Wagon, America’s oldest mobile free clinic serving Central Appalachia. Three powerful moments: #1 “We were founded by Sister Bernie Kenny… She actually started the clinic first of all in the back of a Volkswagen

The Health Wagon Calls for Volunteers for 2025 Outreach Events

The Health Wagon is seeking volunteer healthcare providers for its 2025 community outreach events. Pediatric dentists are urgently needed for the Move Mountains Give Kids a Smile and Health event on July 18-19, which will provide free dental care to children in need. “There is an urgent need for volunteer

Dr. Joseph F. Smiddy, M.D. Honored with the Health Wagon’s “Appalachian Hero Award”

The Health Wagon proudly presented Dr. Joseph F. Smiddy, M.D. with the Appalachian Hero Award in recognition of his decades-long commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved communities in Southwest Virginia. The award was presented by Don Green of the Napoleon Hill Foundation during the Health Wagon’s employee and volunteer

Celebrating the Legacy of Sister Bernadette Kenny, Founder of The Health Wagon

More than 40 years ago, Sister Bernadette “Bernie” Kenny embarked on a mission to bring mobile healthcare to underserved communities in rural Virginia. Starting with a red 1968 Volkswagen Beetle, she traveled the curving roads of Appalachia, carrying supplies and medications to provide free healthcare to those in need. Sister

Health Fair in Mendota – Honoring Donnie Rife’s Legacy
April 19, 2025

Join The Health Wagon for a special Health Fair in collaboration with Zachary Rife, a family member of Donnie Rife, to bring vital health services to the Mendota community. 📅 Date: April 19, 2025 📍 Location: Mendota 🩺 What to Expect: Flyer with full list of services to be released

ETSU Health Fair
March 13 & 14, 2025

The Health Wagon, in collaboration with ETSU Quillen Dishner Medical School, invites you to our Two-Day Health Fair! 🩺 Day 1: 📅 March 13, 2025 📍 Wise County Smiddy Clinic 🩺 Day 2: 📅 March 14, 2025 📍 Sister Bernie Kenny M.M.M. Clintwood Clinic This is your opportunity to take

The Health Wagon Provides Care to Isolated Storm Survivors

By Ruth O’Neill | December 20, 2024   On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall along the gulf coast of Florida as a Category 4 tropical storm. The effects were felt along much of the southeast United States, including the southern Appalachia region, which was devastated by widespread flooding

Health Wagon Welcomes Dr. Minh Tran DDS

The Health Wagon is excited to introduce our new dentist, Dr. Minh Tri Hoang Tran, DDS. Dr. Tran is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in chemistry from Georgia State University and

In Loving Memory of Sister Bernie Kenny, Our Beloved Founder

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Sister Bernie Kenny, our beloved founder and guiding light at St. Mary’s Health Wagon. Sister Bernie’s dedication to serving the underserved in Central Appalachia was nothing short of extraordinary. Her leadership, rooted in compassion and faith, transformed countless lives,

CJ Ratliff Named to 40 Under 40

CJ Ratliff, a dedicated nurse practitioner with the Health Wagon, has been named to the prestigious 40 Under Forty Class of 2024 by the Business Journal of Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia. CJ’s personal story is one of triumph. Raised in a disadvantaged community in Southwest Virginia, he grew up facing the challenges

Dr. Joseph Smiddy, MD Honored on Veterans Day for Military Service

The Health Wagon is proud to celebrate Dr. Joseph Smiddy, MD, for his remarkable contributions both as a veteran and as a healthcare leader. Recognized on local news this Veterans Day, Dr. Smiddy was honored for his service in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1973. Dr. Smiddy, a retired

Carter Family Fold Benefit Concert for Hurricane Relief

An incredible benefit concert hosted by the Carter Family Fold was dedicated to supporting flood relief efforts in our community! Date: Saturday, November 2nd Time: 7:30pm – 10pm Location: Carter Family Fold (3449 A P Carter Hwy, Hiltons, VA 24258)We had an unforgettable evening featuring the amazing Dr. Smiddy &

Appalachian Strong: Hurricane Helene Response

(Photograph above taken by Ivy Sheppard) – “Stranded residents in Damascus get medical care from Health Wagon” (RadioIQ) In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Health Wagon has been on the front lines, providing critical healthcare and support to the Appalachian community. Deployed to Damascus and Haysi Our mobile vans,

Health Wagon Celebrates Successful 4th Annual Davey’s Back-to-School Shuffle

The Health Wagon is thrilled to announce the outstanding success of the 4th Annual Davey’s Back-to-School Shuffle, held on Aug. 1st at the Shelcy Mullins Sr. Fairgrounds. This year’s event brought the community together for a joyful day, helping over 500 families prepare for the upcoming school year.

St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy Opening Considered a Huge Success

The region’s first free and charitable pharmacy, St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy, opened with a special blessing on July 18, 2024, by Father Timothy Drake. A trio of beloved Catholic sisters who were instrumental in providing health care to Southwest Virginians since 1980 returned for the event as well.

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