Millie D. Long, MD, MPH, has been appointed Chief of the University of North Carolina Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ron Falk, MD, Chair of the UNC Department of Medicine announced on January 9, 2025. Long is internationally recognized for her expertise in research, patient care, and education, particularly in the prevention of complications associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“Dr. Long’s commitment to advancing patient care and her ability to foster collaborative, innovative research has positioned her as a natural leader,” Dr. Falk said. “Her vision for the future of the division will help us continue to lead in clinical care, research, and train the next generation in the field of GI.”
Tar Heel Training
Long joined the UNC GI faculty in 2010 after completing her training in gastroenterology and hepatology, preventive medicine, inflammatory bowel diseases, and earning a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Carolina. She served as Program Director of the UNC Gastroenterology Fellowship from 2017-2025.
“This division is incredibly unique in that we have leaders across almost every discipline—whether that’s advanced endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, esophageal diseases, hepatology.” Long said.
“The idea of being able to work with such a talented group of faculty to help them achieve their goals is truly exciting. I look forward to continuing our work in providing cutting-edge patient care, driving innovation, and delivering the highest standard of education for our trainees, so we can develop the next generation of experts in gastroenterology.”
Research, Prevention & Patient Care
Long offers a distinctive integration of research, prevention, and clinical care to the field of IBD. Her research is deeply informed by her direct interactions with patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Long launched the largest vaccine study in IBD, aiming to develop evidence-based guidance for vaccination in this patient population.
As principal investigator of IBD Partners, Long and colleagues recruited over 17,000 IBD patients to address common concerns related to sleep, exercise, patient reported outcomes and nutrition, further advancing patient-centered research in the field. This cohort includes over 10 years of longitudinal follow up, and over 400 researchers have utilized the data in clinical research.
Long has authored guidelines in the field, serving as senior author on the 2019 and 2025 ulcerative colitis guidelines for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). She has also served as a methodologist on a number of other guidelines in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology.
Additionally, Long has become certified in intestinal ultrasound, making UNC the first center in the state to offer this innovative, non-invasive technology for patients with IBD.
“One of our key goals is to expand endoscopic access for the people of North Carolina and really be able to provide further endoscopic services across an expanded footprint,” Long said. “From a transplant hepatology perspective, we are focused on enhancing resources to increase the number of transplants available to the people of North Carolina.
Shaping the Future
As Chief, Long plans to place a strong emphasis on further growing the Division’s research enterprise. This includes mentoring young investigators to secure grants, offering advanced training to fellows, and providing ongoing mentorship from senior faculty.
“Our faculty are exceptionally diverse.,” Long said. “We have outstanding basic scientists conducting cutting-edge research in immunology and the microbiome, as well as a large group of faculty engaged in clinical research with federal funding. This combination enables us to translate discoveries from the bench to the bedside. My goal is to continue driving progress across all these research initiatives and disease areas within gastroenterology.”
In addition to her role as Chief, Long is Co-Editor in Chief for the American Journal of Gastroenterology. She is a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and serves on the Board of Trustees. She is also a fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association and is a member of the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.