Michelle A. Tyson, M.D. (She/Her)

Dr Michelle A. Tyson, MD, is the visionary Founder and CEO of Call the Car, where her lifelong dedication to enhancing healthcare access and outcomes converges with innovation. With nearly three decades of experience as a physician, Dr. Tyson’s background is deeply rooted in serving Medi-Cal, Medicare, and commercial patients. Her leadership extends beyond clinical practice to influential roles as a Medical Director on multiple health plan boards and as an Assistant Professor at the Keck School of Medicine.

The legacy of Michelle Tyson's commitment to healthcare stretches back over sixty years, beginning with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bertrand O. Tyson, who established a primary care and OB/GYN clinic in Pasadena, CA, to serve low-income patients. This early exposure to community-driven healthcare instilled in her a passion for making a difference, a mission she continues through Call the Car.

Michelle A Tyson experience at the intersection of healthcare delivery and health plan management uniquely positions her to drive the mission of Call the Car—bridging gaps in healthcare access and improving the quality of life for underserved populations. Her work at Call the Car represents a continuation of her family’s legacy and her own professional journey, impacting more lives than ever before by ensuring that quality care is not just available but accessible to all.

Call the Car CEO

As a physician, Michelle A Tyson identified a significant gap within California’s healthcare delivery system, one that hindered the most vulnerable and underserved communities from accessing critical medical appointments, vital procedures, and treatments. Recognizing this, she founded Call the Car (CTC) to bridge that gap.

In its fourteen years of operation, CTC has leveraged a unique combination of healthcare, medical, and transportation expertise to assemble a team that effectively fulfils the needs of health plans, medical groups, transportation providers, and, most importantly, the patients to achieve better outcomes. At Call the Car, the patient is always at the center of their mission. They strive to serve the needs of health plans, medical groups, and transportation vendors—both public and private—while maintaining the patient as the main focus.

Call the Car now completes upwards of 6-7 million rides annually. While technology is the backbone of their operations, the heart of Call the Car lies in its people. During the pandemic, CTC partnered with California’s CALVAX program to quickly mobilize and provide transportation for patients to receive COVID-19 vaccinations as well as Project Room Key, to help house homeless during the height of the pandemic.

Michelle strongly believes that Call the Car is not just a healthcare transportation company but a care partner that should be accessible to all, even for those without a healthcare plan. Michelle Tyson MD understands the diversity of California’s population, its unique needs, and how to cater to these specific requirements. By combining medical expertise with logistical knowledge, Call the Car has revolutionized non-emergency medical transportation, creating a new delivery system network. Today, Call the Car is the largest non-emergency medical transportation company in California.

Currently, it can take up to three months for a patient to secure a medical appointment, making it crucial that Call the Car collaborates with responsible, accountable subcontractors and trained, professional drivers. With its own fleet of vehicles, Call the Car is adapt to navigate challenging geographies and difficult-to-access areas, ensuring that patient needs are met, often requiring real-time coordination with health plans. We continue to play a vital role in coordinating care between patients, Case Managers, Doctors, and Health Plans.

As a minority women-owned business, Call the Car and Michelle Tyson MD has earned several accolades, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and the Healthcare Innovative Award from the Association for Corporate Growth Los Angeles (ACGLA). The company has also received Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation for championing standards and best practices in the field.

To keep pace with evolving healthcare needs, Call the Car partners with multiple healthcare plan providers, including LA Care, Central California Alliance, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Blue Shield of California, California Department of Public Health, Promise Health Plan, AppleCare Medical Group, and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Operational efficiency and driver availability for members has also significantly improved thanks to partnerships with rideshare giants Lyft and Uber.

Call the Car is committed to sustainability, focusing on reducing its impact on climate change by using hybrid vehicles, which reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. These vehicles allow the company to pass on cost savings to their members and reduce fossil fuel consumption.

The company is also dedicated to fighting fraud, waste, and abuse in healthcare through accurate documentation, ethical practices, education and training, and adherence to clear policies and procedures. These efforts not only lead to financial savings but also enhance the quality of care and build trust with members, vendors, and local and state partnerships.

Philanthropic Endeavours:

Michelle Tyson's commitment to patient care extends beyond Call the Car. She actively supports several philanthropic institutions and organizations across California, all of which align with her values of providing solutions and access to high-quality healthcare. Some of these institutions include the Pasadena Community Foundation, where she serves on the Advisory Council. In 2013, Michelle A Tyson established the Tyson and Hagopian Family Endowment, providing unrestricted funds for local charities to continue supporting the Pasadena community. Additionally, she serves on the Provider Relations Advisory Committee for LA Care Health Plan, which ensures access to quality healthcare for communities within Los Angeles County.

Involvement in Medical Associations:

As part of her commitment to patient care, and a physician in Family Medicine Dr. Michelle Tyson is a member of several medical associations:

•American Academy of Family Practice

•American Medical Association

•California Medical Association

•Association of Black Women Physicians

•Los Angeles County Medical Association

•National Medical Association