Health Wagon

Health Wagon commenced its mission in 1980 with a Volkswagen Beetle traversing Appalachia's challenging terrain. Initiated by Sister Bernie Kenny, this modest venture evolved into a trailblazing rural healthcare provider. Today, St. Mary's Health Wagon is a comprehensive network heralded for its innovative approach to healthcare in America’s underserved communities.

Initially, Health Wagon was a mobile clinic serving a small number of patients. It has expanded to include two stationary clinics, four mobile units, a pharmacy, and a modern dental facility. As the oldest mobile free clinic in the nation, it provides essential healthcare services to southwestern Virginia's vulnerable populations, with nearly 29,000 patient encounters in 2024 alone, significantly impacting community health.

The organization operates in a region marked by stark healthcare disparities. There is a considerable gap in life expectancy and health outcomes between Virginia's more affluent areas and the Appalachian communities Health Wagon serves. The organization aims to bridge this divide by offering comprehensive healthcare solutions to these underserved areas.

Health Wagon’s innovative spirit is evident in several groundbreaking initiatives. In 2015, it participated in the first FAA-approved drone delivery of medication in the U.S., an accomplishment featured in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Additionally, partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink program, it became the first mobile clinic to offer satellite-enabled telehealth services in remote areas, broadening its reach.

Its telehealth network includes Virginia's first remote wound care clinic and pioneering post-COVID care programs. In collaboration with the University of Virginia, Health Wagon facilitated the world’s first successful remote cystoscopy procedures, showing how technology can extend specialized medical care to remote regions.

Since 2016, Health Wagon has also worked with military medical personnel to provide comprehensive, cost-free health services through Innovative Readiness Training events. These collaborations have set a benchmark for military-civilian healthcare partnerships.

Health Wagon’s approach extends beyond immediate medical services. It addresses broader social determinants of health through an integrated care model. The Owens and Hill Dental Health Clinic provides crucial dental services and promotes dental education, including advanced treatments like 3D-printed dentures.