The Health Wagon

What The Health Wagon does

The Health Wagon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by Sister Bernie Kenny in Wise, Virginia, providing free medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Southwest Virginia's Appalachian region. The organization operates as a unified mobile and fixed healthcare delivery network: five mobile clinic vans rotate through 13 community sites on weekly, biweekly, and monthly schedules across Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise counties plus the City of Norton, supplemented by three stationary clinics (Smiddy Clinic, Sister Bernie Kenny Clinic, Owens & Hill Dental Clinic), St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy (opened July 18, 2024), and a 4,200-square-foot Veterinary Clinic and Outreach Center under development.

The technology stack is built around remote and rural care delivery rather than AI. Core platforms include TytoCare FDA-cleared Home Smart Clinic devices for remote physical examination (heart and lung sounds, throat/ear exams, temperature, skin), SpaceX Starlink satellite connectivity deployed across mobile units and 100+ patient homes, and a pioneering telemedicine program that makes the organization the largest user of telehealth services in Virginia. Historical firsts include the 2015 FAA-approved drone medication delivery (with Flirtey and NASA Langley Research Center, now displayed at the Smithsonian) and the 2017 first-in-world telecystoscopies. Proprietary care methodology is branded as the Integrated Comprehensive Care Collective (ICCC), underpinned by a One Health framework that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

The business model is donation and grant funded rather than revenue generating. All clinical services are provided at no cost to patients. Operating revenue streams comprise (1) individual, corporate, and foundation donations, including cryptocurrency, stock, and PayPal channels; (2) grants from United Health Foundation ($1 million for telehealth), Sun Life/DentaQuest ($50,000 Health Access Hero for dental), VCEDA matching grants (Starlink installations), USDA Emergency Rural Health Care, Virginia Energy, and AMLER (veterinary clinic construction); (3) pharmaceutical patient assistance programs — most notably the 17-year Pharmacy Connect partnership with Mountain Empire Older Citizens and Virginia Health Care Foundation that has delivered over $20 million in medications; and (4) event sponsorships supporting the annual Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7), the largest health outreach of its kind in the nation, health fairs, and Davey's Back-to-School Shuffle. Customer acquisition is community- and event-led, relying on word-of-mouth, social channels, and partner referrals across 30+ university, healthcare-system, and corporate partners. Leadership is nurse practitioner-managed under President and CEO Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson following the December 2024 passing of founder Sister Bernie Kenny.

Name

The Health Wagon

Legal name

St. Mary's Health Wagon

Website

https://thehealthwagon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Health Wagon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 in Wise, Virginia, providing free mobile and stationary medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to uninsured and underinsured residents across six counties in Southwest Virginia's Appalachian region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services

NAICS

Other Ambulatory Health Care Services (6219), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile & Street Medicine Primary Care Programs (HLAFAGAH)

Keywords

• Mobile health clinics
• Free charitable pharmacy
• Community telehealth services
• Rural dental care
• Uninsured healthcare access

Headquarters

HQ city

Wise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: The Health Wagon relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic organizations. Federal Tax ID: 04-3739083. Accepts online donations, PayPal, stock transfers, cryptocurrency, and mail donations.
2. Grants and Government Funding: Receives grants from organizations including United Health Foundation ($1 million for telehealth), AMLER grants for veterinary clinic, USDA Emergency Rural Health Care grants, and Virginia Energy grants.
3. Pharmacy Connect Program: Patient assistance program conducted with pharmaceutical companies providing brand-name medications at no cost to qualifying patients. Over 17 years, provided over $20 million in lifesaving medications through association with MEOC and Virginia Health Care Foundation.
4. Event Sponsorships: Annual events like M7, Davey's Back-to-School Shuffle, and health fairs supported by corporate sponsors and foundations including United Breast Cancer Foundation, Sun Life/DentaQuest ($50,000 grant).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Health Wagon is America's oldest mobile free clinic, providing free comprehensive medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, behavioral health, and specialty care to uninsured, underinsured, and geographically isolated residents of Southwest Virginia through five mobile clinic vans (visiting 13 sites across six counties), three stationary clinics, and St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy. All services are delivered at no cost to patients and supported by partnerships with 40+ universities, the Pharmacy Connect Program (over $20 million in medications distributed over 17 years), and technology-first delivery models including Starlink-enabled telehealth and TytoCare remote diagnostics.

Product overview

The Health Wagon is a nonprofit, nurse practitioner-managed clinic providing free medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision care services to residents of Southwest Virginia's Appalachian region since 1980. The organization operates as a unified healthcare delivery system combining mobile clinics (five state-of-the-art vans), three stationary clinics, St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy (opened July 2024), and Owens and Hill Dental Clinic. Key services include primary and preventive care, telehealth with TytoCare FDA-cleared devices, behavioral health, vision services with eyeglass fabrication, and Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7) - the nation's largest free health outreach. The organization also pioneered drone medication delivery (2015, first FAA-approved in U.S.) and Starlink satellite internet connectivity for remote telehealth. A new 4,200-square-foot Veterinary Clinic and Outreach Center is under development, making it the first free clinic in the nation to fully integrate One Health care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy: The region's first free and charitable pharmacy providing prescriptions at no cost to uninsured patients in Southwest Virginia.
• Owens and Hill Dental Health Clinic
• Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7)

Products and services

• Mobile Clinics Five state-of-the-art mobile clinic vans delivering primary care, specialty care, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to 13 sites across Southwest Virginia's Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise counties on weekly, biweekly, and monthly schedules. Services are free to uninsured and underinsured residents.
• Stationary Clinics Three fixed clinic locations — Smiddy Clinic (Wise), Sister Bernie Kenny M.M.M. Clinic (Clintwood), and a third St. Mary's site — providing ongoing primary and specialty care to residents of Southwest Virginia on a continuous basis at no cost.
• St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy The region's first free and charitable pharmacy, opened July 18, 2024, providing free prescription medications to uninsured patients in Southwest Virginia. Includes drive-through service window, telehealth consultations, point-of-care testing, diabetes education, and medication management.
• Owens and Hill Dental Clinic A 10-chair dental clinic providing free and low-cost preventive, restorative, and emergency dental care (cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures) to uninsured and underinsured residents across Central Appalachia. Serves as a clinical training site for university dental and hygiene students and has a waiting list of nearly 1,000 patients.
• Telehealth Services The largest telehealth user in Virginia, providing dozens of remote specialty and primary care services to patients who cannot otherwise access them. Leverages TytoCare FDA-cleared home devices for heart and lung auscultation, throat and ear exams, and skin/temperature checks, partnered with UVA Health for specialty consultations.
• Vision Services Eye exams and eyeglass fabrication provided through mobile clinics and the MobileEyes Appalachia unit partnership with University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO). Includes screenings for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, plus free eyeglasses for qualifying patients.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health screenings and treatment, psychiatric evaluations, substance use and opioid use disorder counseling, and psychological counseling services provided to uninsured and underinsured patients through mobile and stationary clinics.
• Move Mountains Medical Mission (M7) Annual large-scale medical outreach event, the largest of its kind in the nation, providing free dental, medical, specialty, and vision care to uninsured, underinsured, unemployed, and working poor individuals across a multi-day period. Held annually with veterinary services also provided.
• Veterinary Clinic and Outreach Center A planned 4,200-square-foot nonprofit veterinary facility providing affordable animal care for families across Southwest Virginia, the first free clinic in the nation to fully integrate the One Health approach recognizing the interconnected health of people, animals, and environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $20 million in medications provided through Pharmacy Connect Program over 17 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SpaceX (Starlink)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2025Satellite internet service deployed for mobile units and home installations, eliminating connectivity dead zones in mountainous Appalachian regions. 100+ homes connected by January 2025.
• UVA HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to distribute TytoCare telehealth devices to uninsured families and provide telehealth expertise. Enables real-time remote evaluations and specialist consultations.
• TytoCarecoreTechnology or IntegrationFDA-cleared remote physical exam devices enabling heart/lung sounds, throat/ear exams, and temperature checks from patient homes. Home Smart Clinic technology.
• FlirteyflagshipTechnology or IntegrationAustralian drone company partnered in 2015 for first FAA-approved drone medication delivery in U.S. to Remote Area Medical clinic in Wise, VA.
• NASA Langley Research CenterflagshipTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with Health Wagon and Flirtey for historic first FAA-approved drone delivery of medications in 2015.
• OneSight EssilorLuxottica FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision partnership to expand access to eye care in rural Appalachia, enhancing comprehensive eye care services across rural Southwest Virginia.
• AstroAid FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark agreement to advance space-enabled healthcare in rural America through telemedicine, satellite connectivity, and innovative care delivery across SWVA.
• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization supporting free and charitable clinics; provides resources, advocacy, and recognition.
• Virginia Clean CitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to pilot electric vehicle technology for mobile clinic operations, evaluating Chevy Bolt for 30-day trial.
• Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for veterinary clinic creating jobs and training opportunities for veterinary students. One Health approach recognizing interconnection of people, animals, and environment.
• Emory & Henry University (School of Health Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with School of Health Sciences and Mel Leaman Free Clinic for community health fairs and student training.
• University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry (UPIKE KYCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobileEyes Appalachia unit partnership for free vision screenings detecting macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma. Free eyeglasses provided.
• ETSU Quillen College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual health fairs providing medical students hands-on training while serving underserved communities. Audiology services at events.
• United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mattress giveaway events for breast cancer patients and survivors, and support for Hurricane Helene flood relief efforts.
• Ballad HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner providing mammography services and supporting community health events.
• Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner17-year partnership for Pharmacy Connect Program providing over $20 million in medications to qualifying patients.
• Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pharmacy Connect Program and Medicaid/FAMIS eligibility screenings supporting healthcare access.
• Move Mountains Medical Missions (M7)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest medical outreach of its kind in the nation, providing free eye, dental, and medical care annually. Entering 27th year in 2026.
• American University of Antigua College of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing student volunteers and training opportunities.
• Appalachia College of PharmacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for pharmacy student training and education.
• Lincoln Memorial University (Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Caylor School of Nursing)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple university partnerships providing medical and nursing students for clinical training at Health Wagon sites.
• Virginia Commonwealth University (College of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive partnership across medicine, nursing, and pharmacy programs for student training and volunteer services.
• East Tennessee State University (College of Nursing, Quillen College of Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual health fair partnerships providing medical students and faculty for community outreach events.
• Frontier Nursing UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for nurse practitioner and nursing student training.
• University of Virginia School of Nursing and College at WisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnerships providing nursing students and supporting rural healthcare workforce development.
• CVS PharmacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for Hurricane Helene flood relief efforts, helping replace lost medications for affected residents.
• Southern Baptist Convention Disaster ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts providing emergency supplies and support.
• Patterson VeterinaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary equipment and design guidance for new veterinary clinic/outreach center.
• PAWS of Southwest VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare partner that identified urgent need and invited Health Wagon to lead veterinary clinic initiative.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Remote Area Medical (RAM): Operates large-scale mobile free clinics across the U.S. and is explicitly referenced as a partner organization co-hosting the drone delivery milestone in Wise, VA. Closest direct comparator on the mobile free clinic model serving the uninsured.
• Volunteers in Medicine: National network of free clinics relying on volunteer clinicians to serve uninsured and underinsured populations. Directly comparable mission, model, and patient segment to The Health Wagon.
• CrossOver Healthcare Ministry: Virginia-based free clinic network providing medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy care to uninsured residents. Comparable service mix and Virginia geographic footprint.
• The Free Clinic of Central Virginia: Free charitable clinic delivering primary care, dental, and pharmacy services to uninsured patients in Virginia. Directly comparable nonprofit free-clinic model within the same state.
• St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy: Charitable pharmacy providing free prescription medications to uninsured and low-income patients. Directly comparable to The Health Wagon's St. Mary's Faith Pharmacy service model and mission.
• Mission of Mercy (MOM): Operates mobile dental and medical clinics delivering free care to underserved populations in multiple states. Closely comparable mobile free-care delivery model with similar patient demographics.
• CommunityHealth (Chicago): One of the largest volunteer-based free clinics in the U.S., serving uninsured and low-income patients with comprehensive primary and specialty care. Directly comparable free-care delivery model and patient segment.
• Good Neighbor Free Clinic: Free clinic providing medical, dental, and pharmacy services to uninsured residents in rural Virginia. Comparable rural-community free-care model within the same state.

Regional players

• Health Partners of Southwest Virginia: Southwest Virginia-based free clinic coalition serving uninsured residents across multiple counties. Strong geographic overlap with The Health Wagon's service area and comparable patient population.

Others

• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): Industry membership association of which The Health Wagon is a Gold Member. Adjacent enabling/ecosystem organization rather than a direct service provider, but shapes funding, advocacy, and standards for the free clinic sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/306230878988
• Xx.com/Health_Wagon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-health-wagon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Health Wagon