Dr.Margaret Anne Staggers served as the first Medical Director of WV Lifeline Ambulance Services, LLC from the earliest days of our organization until her passing on January 1, 2026. Her leadership, experience, and unwavering commitment to public health helped guide our agency during its formation and early development, and her legacy will remain a lasting part of our story.

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Dr. Staggers was widely recognized as a trailblazing emergency physician and a dedicated public servant whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to the people of West Virginia. A graduate of the West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1969, she began her medical career operating a family practice in southern West Virginia. Over time, her passion for emergency medicine led her to become deeply involved in Emergency Medical Services, including serving in clinical roles at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, where she further expanded her impact by obtaining her Paramedic license and working closely with EMS providers across the region.

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Beyond her medical career, Dr. Staggers also served the public through elected office. She was a delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention and later represented Fayette County in the West Virginia House of Delegates for multiple terms from 2006 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2020. Throughout her time in public service, she remained a steadfast advocate for healthcare access and the wellbeing of communities across the state.

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Dr. Staggers’ influence within Emergency Medical Services was profound. Over the course of her career, she served as Medical Director for more than twenty EMS agencies and emergency communications centers across the region, supporting both public and private services. Her guidance shaped countless clinicians and strengthened emergency care systems throughout southern West Virginia.

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When asked to serve as the Medical Director for WV Lifeline Ambulance during its establishment, Dr. Staggers accepted without hesitation. Her motivation was simple yet powerful: to help increase the availability of ambulance services and expand access to care for the citizens of southern West Virginia. Her support, mentorship, and medical oversight were instrumental in helping our organization move from an idea to a functioning EMS agency.

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Today, we remember Dr. Staggers not only for her remarkable career but for her generosity of time, knowledge, and spirit. Her willingness to stand beside WV Lifeline Ambulance in its earliest days made our organization possible. Without her dedication and belief in our mission, WV Lifeline Ambulance would not exist as it does today.

Her legacy lives on in the providers who continue the work she championed and in every patient served through our mission of Mobilizing Accessibility.