Department of Health Names Michelle J. Long Assistant Commissioner
NASHVILLE — Michelle J. Long has been appointed assistant commissioner of Health Licensure and Regulation for the Tennessee Department of Health. In this role, Long oversees a staff of approximately 350 in Health Related Boards, Health Care Facilities, the Office of Investigations and Emergency Medical Services.
"Michelle will be a great asset to the Department of Health, and I am pleased the state will once again benefit from her service and leadership,” said Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “She has the experience and knowledge needed to meet the demands and complexity of this position.”
As assistant commissioner for Health Licensure and Regulation, Long leads the division responsible for licensing and certifying health care professionals in the state of Tennessee. This division also investigates complaints against health care professionals and works closely with the Office of General Counsel to present cases before the various boards. The Health Care Facilities section licenses and regulates health care facilities to ensure compliance with state minimum standards, federal standards of care and conditions of participation for Medicaid and Medicare programs through facility surveys and incident investigations. The Emergency Medical Services section provides quality assurance and oversight for pre-hospital emergency medical care and medical transportation systems in the state.
“I am excited about this opportunity to work with Dr. Dreyzehner and the Department of Health to help protect, promote and improve the health of Tennesseans,” said Long. “I look forward to working with both our state’s health providers and with citizens at large to help ensure the provision of quality care in Tennessee.”
Prior to joining the Department of Health, Long served as senior vice president and general counsel for the Tennessee Hospital Association. In this role she was involved in health care policy, patient safety and quality improvement. Additionally, she provided legal advice on matters related to state and federal regulation, contracts and litigation. Long also has prior state government service, having worked as executive director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and as legal counsel to the governor. Long has also been in private legal practice as an associate with Blackburn, Slobey, Freeman and Happell, PC in Nashville.
Long earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.