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 pioneering pharmacy’s grand opening and ribbon cutting.
Since its opening, St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy has provided $33,529.58 of much-needed prescriptions free of charge to uninsured patients in Southwest Virginia. Including the $171,814.82 from the pharmacy expansion efforts on the Pharmacy Connect Program for the month, the total amount of prescription medication provided to our community now reaches $205,344.
St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy is located beside the Health Wagon offices at 5626 Patriot Drive, Wise, VA. The pharmacy serves the entire Southwest Virginia region and provides free (or minimal charge) pharmaceutical services to thousands across the Appalachian region.
The pharmacy is named in honor of the Catholic sisters’ commitment to social justice and service to those in need. Sister Bernie Kenny, Sister Gabriella Hogan, and Sister Loretta O’Connor returned for the event. Although all are retired now, they were delighted to take part in the event, which included a blessing of the hands of health care workers prior to the ribbon cutting.
Three of the nuns who brought health care to the region for decades had front row seats to the opening. “We are thrilled to see the legacy of St. Mary’s Hospital, a health care icon in the region for many years, continue with this needed, namesake pharmacy,” said Sister Bernie Kenny, founder of the Health Wagon. “We are so glad to be here to support both the Health Wagon and St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy as they provide this much-needed health care service.”
Director of Pharmacy Services, Dr. Jen Hammons, PharmD, RPh, said, “The pharmacy has been a dream of Health Wagon leaders for years and will change and save lives. I’ve seen patients ration doses of insulin, I’ve seen patients choose between eating and buying their medications, and unfortunately, I have seen far too many die without access to needed medications. We hope to bridge that gap. Being able to access lifesaving medications such as insulin will provide hope to those who feel forgotten.”
The pharmacy, located adjacent to the Health Wagon clinic in Wise, features a drive-through service window along with in-person service. In addition, telehealth consultations and point of care testing such strep and flu testing to optimize patient care will be provided. Hammons has certifications in diabetes management. Additional services include: Diabetes Education, Medication Reduction Therapy, Coumadin Management, Chronic Care Management, Oral Cancer Screenings, Weight Loss Therapy, FIT Colon Cancer Screening Tests, Radon Testing, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Retina Screenings.
The event also honored the late Donny Rife for his years of community service to the Health Wagon. Representatives of the Dickenson County Lion’s Club and Donny Rife’s widow, Doris, and other Lions from across the state were there to take part in the unveiling of his namesake vision clinic. One service of the innovative pharmacy will be to provide free retinal screenings to find eye disease and to save sight.
“St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy will stock the most essential prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, thereby improving health outcomes for individuals and families who may otherwise go without necessary treatment,” said Hammons. She added, “Initially medications will be provided to the uninsured only; but there is hope to expand to the underinsured as the program evolves and grows. Proof of income will be required for the donors of the medications and people will be placed in the system on a first come, first served basis.”
Dr. Joe Smiddy, MD, medical director of the Health Wagon and a lung specialist, states, “Opening a free pharmacy is a game changer for our patients. This newest initiative will ensure that every uninsured patient can receive critical treatments they need to manage their health effectively and live a fuller life.”
“Our goal is to provide a lifeline to those who are struggling to afford their medications,” said Health Wagon CEO Teresa Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC. “We will tailor our services to meet the actual needs of our patients, ensuring that our resources are used where they are needed most. The most exciting aspect of this is that we will be able to provide many lifesaving medications. We are proud to lead the way in creating a healthier, more equitable community where everyone can thrive.”
Pharmacy Connect brings in almost $20 million in brand-name medications
“Pharmacy Connect is a patient assistance program conducted in cooperation with the drug companies,” said Tyson. “Through this program the Health Wagon gets brand-name medications at no cost to patients that qualify. Over the past 17 years, we have provided over $20 million in lifesaving medications through the Pharmacy Connect Program in association with Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC) and the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF). This program will be continued through the pharmacy and will offer additional medication services to patients. The opening of the pharmacy is a natural evolution of the success of this program and has been made possible by a beloved donor and several caring pharmaceutical programs that help free pharmacies.”
About St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy:
St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy provides free and charitable pharmaceutical services to the community. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals by ensuring access to essential medications, promote health education, and to deliver compassionate and transformative care to those in need.
