Healthcare has been both a career and a deeply personal commitment for Heather Long, who has spent her life in the community she now helps lead.

As senior vice president and regional president of UF Health Central Florida, Heather oversees the region while supporting the teams responsible for caring for patients throughout the community.

“I have the incredible privilege of leading the UF Health Central Florida region, but what I really do is support the extraordinary people who care for our community every single day,” Heather says.

She says her focus is on building a culture where healthcare teams feel supported, expanding access to care and making sure patients feel seen, valued and cared for.

“When our caregivers thrive, our patients and our communities do too, and that’s the ripple effect that motivates me every morning,” she says.

Heather says one of the accomplishments she is most proud of is the tremendous progress UF Health has made in delivering on its promise to this community – expanding access to exceptional care, bringing more advanced services and capabilities closer to home and continuing to raise the bar for quality.

“We made a promise to this community that we would continue to raise the standard of care in Central Florida, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in delivering on that promise. By harnessing the strength of UF Health’s academic health system, we’re continuing to expand what’s possible for the patients and communities we serve. We’ve built strong momentum and I’m excited about where we’re headed.”

 For Heather, that work is especially meaningful because she has lived in the community her entire life.

 “I believe healthcare should meet people where they are, which is why expanding access to high-quality care throughout Lake and Sumter counties has been one of my greatest priorities,” she says.

That includes bringing new services closer to home, strengthening community partnerships and investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Heather says her leadership philosophy has been shaped by the people around her and by the patients who have trusted UF Health with their care.

“Every step of my journey, from the bedside to the boardroom, has reinforced that leadership begins with listening, showing up for others and never losing sight of the fact that every decision we make has the power to change someone’s life,” she says.

She also views leadership as a responsibility that requires humility.

“Caring for people during some of their most vulnerable moments is an incredible responsibility — one that continues to inspire and humble me every day,” Heather says.

Her advice to future professionals and community leaders reflects that same people-first approach.

“Lead with integrity, stay curious and never stop learning,” she says. “Success isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about surrounding yourself with great people, being willing to listen and having the courage to make decisions that serve something larger than yourself.”

For Heather, the measure of success ultimately comes back to impact.

“When you keep people at the heart of every decision, success becomes less about what you achieve and more about the difference you make.”