Clinch Valley Health Names Director of Women's Services
July 23, 2026
Director of Women's Services, Joy Tibbs
RICHLANDS, VA – Clinch Valley Medical Center is proud to announce Joy Tibbs, RN, as its new Director of Women’s Services, bringing more than three decades of nursing experience and a lifelong passion for caring for mothers, babies, and families.
Born in the state of Washington and later moving to New Mexico, Joy’s healthcare journey began at New Mexico State University, where she initially pursued microbiology before discovering her calling in nursing. She graduated from the University’s Associate Degree Nursing program in 1995 and began what would become a remarkable career dedicated to women’s health.
For more than 26 years, Joy served at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she gained extensive experience across nearly every aspect of Women’s Services. She worked as a bedside registered nurse caring for mothers and newborns in Labor & Delivery and Postpartum before expanding into leadership and education roles as a Nurse Educator, CME Coordinator, Childbirth Educator, and Orientation Specialist. Throughout her career, she helped educate fellow nurses, developed training programs, and fostered a culture of lifelong learning among healthcare professionals. Her time here even included teaching childbirth classes for over 15 years and coordinating the Continuing Medical Education for her Providers.
Joy joined Clinch Valley Medical Center in 2025 and has quickly become an integral part of the Women’s Services team. Her combination of clinical expertise, educational experience, and servant leadership made her a natural choice to lead the department.
“I’ve always believed that the best healthcare begins with relationships,” said Tibbs. “Whether I’m caring for a patient at the bedside, teaching a new nurse, or supporting our clinical team, my goal is to help people feel confident, cared for, and empowered. I’m honored to lead Women’s Services and continue building a culture where both our patients and our staff can thrive.”
As Director of Women’s Services, Joy will oversee the hospital’s maternity and women’s health services, working closely with physicians, nurses, and clinical staff to further strengthen patient care and enhance the experience for growing families throughout Southwest Virginia.
“Joy brings an exceptional blend of clinical experience, leadership, and compassion to this role,” said Peter Mulkey, Chief Executive Officer of Clinch Valley Medical Center. “Her background in labor and delivery, postpartum care, nursing education, and team development makes her uniquely qualified to lead Women’s Services as we continue expanding access to high-quality maternity care in our region.”
In addition to her clinical accomplishments, Joy has a passion for education and professional development. Throughout her career, she has helped train countless nurses and healthcare professionals, believing that investing in caregivers ultimately leads to better outcomes for patients.
Outside of the hospital, Joy enjoys what she humorously describes as her “old lady hobbies.” She spends her free time crocheting, working on her homestead, and embracing a slower pace of life that reflects her appreciation for craftsmanship, self-sufficiency, and family.
"How did she find SWVA and Clinch Valley Health from the desert out west?" you may think. "How we got here is completely a God thing. When our youngest two kids left for college and life, we wanted to make a change and move to greener pastures… literally. We looked in North Carolina and Tennessee. We love the mountains, so we followed them, venturing into Southwest Virginia. The air felt different yet familiar. We actually found our house online and hadn’t ventured into Richlands before our home inspection!" said Tibbs.
"I was in a remote position working from home, as a director of operations. I found myself wanting to return to nursing and was offered several great options. Instead of trying something new, I returned to my love of caring for new mothers and babies."
As she begins this new chapter, Joy remains focused on ensuring every family who walks through the doors of Clinch Valley Medical Center receives compassionate, personalized care during one of life’s most memorable experiences.
“It’s a privilege to care for families during such an important time in their lives,” said Tibbs. “I look forward to serving this community and supporting the incredible team that makes Women’s Services at Clinch Valley Medical Center so special.”
Joy’s appointment reflects Clinch Valley Medical Center’s continued investment in expanding and strengthening women’s healthcare services throughout Southwest Virginia. Under her leadership, the Women’s Services team will continue focusing on compassionate, family-centered maternity care while building on programs designed to provide expectant parents with exceptional care close to home.