Wendy Long
Governor Bill Haslam on Monday announced TennCare Director Dr. Wendy Long will leave state service in January. The Metropolitan Board of Health of Nashville and Davidson County has selected Dr. Long as the new director of health, pending contract approval by the Metropolitan Council.
Gov. Haslam appointed Dr. Long in June 2016 as the director of TennCare after she previously served in other executive positions within the agency including deputy director and chief medical officer.
Dr. Long has 14 years of service to TennCare and more than 30 years to Tennessee State Government. Dr. Long’s state service includes working as assistant commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Health where she oversaw a wide variety of programs and services including maternal and child health, communicable disease control, and the operation of local and regional health departments throughout the state.
“Wendy has a passion for the work she does and that is evident in her dedication to improving the health care system in our state,” Gov. Haslam said. “In a time when health care is constantly changing and health care costs are on the rise, Dr. Long and her team have maintained one of the lowest Medicaid cost trends in the nation. I am grateful for Wendy’s many years of service and know she will continue to do great things for the citizens of our state in her service to Metro Government.”
Under Dr. Long’s leadership TennCare has continued to be recognized as one of the top Medicaid programs in the country. Serving 1.3 million Tennesseans, TennCare has been recognized nationally for its innovation and success in utilizing a managed care model while also implementing payment and delivery system reform.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as TennCare’s director for these past few years,” Dr. Long said. “I’ve worked alongside some incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable individuals during my tenure with the TennCare program. While I am eager to join Metro Government in my new role as director of health I know that the work of TennCare will continue to provide high-quality, cost effective care to Tennesseans.”
Dr. Long and her husband Rick, also a long-time state employee with the Tennessee Department of Health, have two grown children and one grandson.
Dr. Long will continue as the director of TennCare through mid-January.