Alumni Spotlight on Jim Long, MD, PhD
1. WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO STUDY MEDICINE?
Well, that started early in life. On one hand, I began playing with chemistry kits and small microscopes as a child. I guess I’ve always been a bit of a geeky nerd – with some kind of obsession for science and discovery.
On the other hand, I was infused with a real sense of responsibility for caring for those in need. That view was birthed from childhood, raised in a family engaged in compassionate, humanitarian mission service internationally.
Those early exposures led me to both clinical medicine and research, pursuing an MD and PhD in Biochemistry.
2. HOW DID YOU KNOW IN RESIDENCY THAT YOU WANTED TO TRAIN IN CT SURGERY?
Throughout med school, I have to admit, that I thought I was too “cognitive” to be a hands-on surgeon.
But I couldn’t resist the attraction to CT surgery driven by a love of cardiopulmonary medicine coupled with the thrill of high intensity surgical practice. I ultimately found real satisfaction in blending careful thought with hand-on skills.
I knew it was going to be a long and strenuous path to get there. But something kept driving me – perhaps my masochistic tendencies – and, more importantly, a dedicated nurse as spouse who encouraged it all while making me a better life-long partner, father and human than I could have been myself alone.
3. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES YOU HAVE FROM YOUR TRAINING IN UTAH?
Here are a few of the standout memories:
- The breadth of training and exposure to diverse approaches by multiple attendings across multiple healthcare systems and settings – including the interface between academics and high performing, conventional practice.
- A spirit of comradery – among fellow CT residents, attendings and staff.
- Abundant encouragement to excellence – including corrective action when necessary!
4. WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU WENT THROUGH THAT HELPED YOU TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
One of the big challenges was staying true to the legacy of our founding heart surgery pioneers – to keep innovation alive, not just be satisfied with status quo. That was a real challenge for CV surgery at the beginning of my career following residency when interventional cardiology with coronary stenting cut out a big chunk of the CABG volumes.
I remember being at a debate, at a national meeting, about the future of CV surgery in which a hi-profile interventional cardiologist laid out the new percutaneous cardiac procedures that were going to “replace” CV surgery. After a best-effort, but rather uncertain response, from the CV surgeon debater, the cardiologist flipped the script, offering words of encouragement that resonated with me. He reminded the audience of the amazing history of pioneering in CV surgery, followed by words of caution about the field having become complacent, focused on cranking out CABG’s in the morning and enjoying golf in the afternoon. He left with an invocation for CV surgeons to return to their roots and continue to innovate the field.
I’ve been motivated ever since those tough times by the spirit of innovating as a surgeon, even while engaging with cardiologists working together to advance both worlds.
5. ANY SPECIAL STORIES THAT HAVE STAYED WITH YOU AND THAT STILL MOVE YOU?
Well, yes, there are some stories that have stuck with me, especially for the humor in them.
Here’s one about exuberant self-confidence. It occurred with my very first operation as a CT resident with Dr. Don Doty. After telling me to take the surgeon’s side of the OR table, he asked “Do you know why you’re over there, son?” Of course I said, “No, sir.” To which, he responded, “It’s because I can fix anything you can screw up!”
And, then there’s a story about focus on the patient above all else. A CT resident, scrubbed in with Dr. Kent Jones, was knocked to the ground, semi-conscious when he was electrically shocked through a hole in his gloved hand still touching the patient as Dr. Jones defibrillated the heart. While the fellow still laid on the OR floor, Dr. Jones was heard quickly saying, “Get me another resident!”
And, then there was Dr. “K” Karwande who exposed me a to an interesting bit of OR culture. He was leading me through a donor heart procurement when he abruptly slapped back the wandering hand of a liver procurement surgeon that had slipped north of the diaphragm to touch the heart. Dr. “K” assertively informed him – in jest, I’d like to think – “hey, you can’t do that, you’re not qualified to touch the heart!”
6. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BEST LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?
A good surgeon knows how to work when everything is going well – a great surgeon is prepared for the unexpected.
When all hell is breaking loose, remain calm, acting as Captain-of-the-ship, eliciting composure and best performance out of those around you.
Always think as a leader, even if you’re not an executive administrator, motivating the best in everyone.
Remember the adage “culture eats process for lunch” as a reminder that success is best achieved within the context of effective team dynamics.
7. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO SINCE YOUR TIME IN UTAH?
After completing CT Surgical training, I stayed in Salt Lake, at the invitation of Drs. Jones, Doty and Millar – and served as attending in the CT Residency program with Dr. Karwande.
Together with a great team, we started the Utah Artificial Heart Program as part of a handful of centers in the US using the first generation LVADs. The UAHP program led the enrollment and outcomes in the landmark REMATCH trial of the HeartMate I, pioneering life-long LVAD use.
After a 15-yr stent in Salt Lake, I went to Oklahoma City, developing an Advanced Cardiac Care program and leading the multi-organ transplant institute. Thanks to our team there, we continued pioneering, implanting the first HeartMate III LVAD in the US and contributing among the top enrollers in that trial and others.
Along the way, I’ve been able to support ongoing R&D of next generation MCS technology. I’ve now phased out of full time clinical work but remain active in the advanced heart failure field. Presently, I am supporting the US clinical trial of a new maglev LVAD, the BrioVAD.
Not everything has been successful or easy – but failures have been an opportunity for lots of learning.
On the personal side, we’ve continued our efforts with international, humanitarian healthcare, mostly in India – during which we had the privilege of collaborating with Mother Teresa.
We moved back to Salt Lake at the beginning of 2025. We’re enjoying the environment, time with family, connecting with colleagues and encouraging another generation. It’s a proud feeling to return to our roots – and to pay homage to those who set the stage for us through Utah’s CT Surgery residency program.
