Dr. Margaret Stiles named Virginia Community Healthcare Association Provider of the Year

Pictured: Dr. Margaret Stiles on the job at Eastern Shore Rural Health’s Express Care. Dr. Stiles was named the Virginia Community Healthcare Association Provider of the Year at VCHA’s 2025 annual conference in Roanoke Sept. 24-26.

Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. is proud to announce that Dr. Margaret Stiles has been honored as the Virginia Community Healthcare Association Provider of the Year, recognizing her extraordinary dedication, clinical excellence, and compassionate care.

Dr. Stiles accepted the role of Clinical Director of Express Care in June 2024, moving from Primary Care at Onley Community Health Center where she had been since joining the organization. Since then, she has led the urgent care center through significant staffing transitions with unwavering calm and resilience. Her leadership has been instrumental in maintaining a seven-day-a-week schedule, balancing the needs of both part-time and full-time providers, and often stepping in herself—working most Sundays and holidays to ensure her team has time with their families.

Beyond her clinical duties, Dr. Stiles is known for her creative and heartfelt efforts to boost morale. From her daily “chocolate o’clock” tradition to sharing her favorite “cheese crack” from Norfolk, she brings warmth and camaraderie to the workplace. Her waterfront home has become the cherished venue for Express Care’s annual anniversary celebrations, further strengthening team spirit.

Her commitment to public health was especially evident during a local H5N1 avian flu exposure earlier this year. On her scheduled day off, Dr. Stiles immediately responded to an emergency call, helping to establish a mobile unit workflow and ensuring exposed patients received timely antiviral treatment. Her swift action and leadership were critical in managing the situation safely and effectively.

Dr. Stiles was honored to have been selected as this year’s recipient for the award. She came from a true private practice prior to joining Rural Health. Now five years into her career with Rural Health, she states she is proud of the work community health center work here on the Shore and the impact it makes at the state and national levels. Her compassionate approach led to a safe resolution and support for the family, showcasing her deep understanding of both medical and social complexities.

Over the past fiscal year, Dr. Stiles completed 3,276 medical encounters, with more than half serving patients at or below the Federal Poverty Level. She has expanded access to advanced procedures such as joint injections and dermatologic treatments, mentoring other providers to do the same—ensuring high-quality care reaches those who need it most in this medically underserved region.

“Dr. Stiles exemplifies the values of the VCHA Provider of the Year Award: dedication, expertise, and compassionate care. Her tireless service, clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to her patients and colleagues make her a true role model in community healthcare,” said Rural Health CEO Jeannette Edwards. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her continued service to the Eastern Shore community.”