Meet Tammy Long, MSN, APRN, AGNP, an APP in Cardiology and aspiring baker!
What is your role in the Department and what patients do you serve?
I am a nurse practitioner in the Division of Cardiology. I see heart failure patients in an outpatient clinic. I also work as a research coordinator for heart failure research, enrolling patients into Phase I, III, and III studies.
Where are you from?
I am from Richmond, VA
Did you always envision yourself as an APP?
No, I worked as a CVICU nurse for 15 years before deciding to go back to school for my Masters in Nursing. I felt like I wanted more. It was hard seeing patients/families at their worst and then not knowing what happened when they left our ICU doors. I wanted a deeper relationship with my patients.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I love developing a close relationship with my clinic patients, they are like family. I also have a strong passion for helping heart failure patients through clinical research. Because of this, I am able to provide the best care for my patients. Hearing the value that research brings to my patients is extremely rewarding 鈥� whether it鈥檚 the close follow up or the opportunity for their condition to improve when traditional therapies have failed.
How has your role evolved over time since you鈥檝e been here?
I started this role 7 years ago and I knew very little about clinical research, I still learn something new every single day. I have wanted to change the negative impression surrounding research, and really highlight the wonderful opportunity it presents for patients.
What is one thing that you wish people knew about your job?
How clinically focused heart failure research is, I had no idea until I started this role. I am able to bridge so many gaps in care for these patients 鈥� with the close medical follow up, medication assistance, insurance assistance, and sometimes just being a listening ear for them.
Personally, or professionally, what are you most proud of?
My incredible family and my career. It鈥檚 not always easy to balance, but I would never change it. Plus, I love a challenge!
If you didn鈥檛 have a career in medicine, what would you be doing?
I would be a chef, no doubt.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
Watching my kids play sports, going to the movies, reading, hiking, and cooking.
If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta 鈥� any kind!
What is the best advice you鈥檝e ever received?
There鈥檚 always someone in a better position than you, but there鈥檚 also always someone in a worse position than you.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?
Making homemade sourdough.
What鈥檚 the last song you listened to?
Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift