Dr. Hugh Long, long-time professor of health policy and management, passes away

The Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is deeply sorry to announce the passing of Dr. Hugh Long, a long-time professor of health policy and management, a renowned health policy and finance scholar, and the longest-standing faculty member at the school. Dr. Long was in good health and died unexpectedly due to an accident. 

Hugh Long was a major contributor to the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and to the university and was known as an excellent colleague to the many faculty and researchers with whom he worked. He was, especially, a devoted instructor and mentor to thousands of students.  

 

Dr. Long joined the Tulane faculty in 1968 and came to SPHTM as assistant professor in 1971 in what was, at that time, the Department of Health Services Administration. He was a driving force in building this historic department and positioning it as a leader in the field.  

 

He received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University in 1962. He then completed his MBA in 1967 and his PhD in business administration from Stanford University in 1973. Hugh completed his Juris Doctorate (cum laude) from Tulane University in 1992.  

 

Dr. Long’s triumvirate of experience in business, health, and law made him an invaluable asset to Tulane and was reflected in concomitant faculty appointments in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, School of Law, and the Freeman School of Business.    

 

Upon joining the faculty at Tulane, Long was asked to participate in establishing the new hospital administration program funded by the Kellogg Foundation and housed in the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Fast forward fifty years later, the department that he helped establish is ranked among the nation’s top programs for health administration.  

 

As a faculty member, Long’s contributions were widespread. Notably, just about every student who has earned a health administration degree in the past 50 years learned under Hugh Long, and he is frequently mentioned by alumni as a mentor, a role model, and a guiding force in their academic and professional success. On the administrative side, Hugh was sought after at all levels of the university for his tenacity and acumen in creating policies that satisfied multiple interests - policies that are in effect today and will be for years to come.   

 

Outside of Tulane, Hugh spent time in Washington D.C. consulting with various administrations and congress on healthcare policy. He was on the board of trustees of LCMC Health and on the governing board of Touro Infirmary. He also consulted with multi-specialty group practices and hospital systems, providing in-house, on-site programs.

It’s always challenging to lose one of our own, and we urge everyone to take comfort in one another, sharing memories and kind thoughts about what Dr. Hugh Long meant to this community. 

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Arrangements are being made and information about services will be announced at a later date. Plans are also being made to honor Dr. Long’s service to the school and university and will be shared at a later time.

Counseling is available to students 24/7 through The Line at 504-264-6074.  Students may also contact Case Management 24/7 at 504-920-9900. Staff at The Counseling Center (504-314-2277) and Case Management (504-314-2160) will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

 

The Employee Assistance Program is available for faculty and staff seeking counseling or support. Information about EAP can be found at https://hr.tulane.edu/benefits/employee-assistance-program.