In late August, the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) announced Wendy Long, MD, MPH, has been selected as the association's next president and CEO and will succeed long-time leader Craig Becker, who is retiring after 26 years of service. Long, who will step into her new role in mid-October, was selected after a seven-month national search.

Long most recently served as the director of the Metro Public Health Department for Nashville/Davidson County. She previously held the position of deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, serving as director for the TennCare program.

"I look forward to working with Dr. Long to make the transition period as smooth as possible," said Becker. "I have had a great working relationship with her over the years, and I know our staff looks forward to supporting her through the onboarding process. Dr. Long is the best possible candidate given her knowledge and experience in Tennessee. THA has grown significantly in the last 26 years, and I know Dr. Long will take THA to the next level of service for our members and the communities and patients our hospitals serve.

In addition to her senior executive role at TennCare, Long held the positions of deputy director and chief medical officer with the agency. She previously was an assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, where she oversaw core public health programs administered by the department, as well as the operation of regional and county health departments. Long earned her undergraduate and medical degrees at The Ohio State University and completed a preventive medicine residency and Master of Public Health program at the University of South Carolina. Long is a 2015 Council Fellow, a past president of the Tennessee Public Health Association and a previous Nashville Medical News Women to Watch honoree.