Curtis W. Long, MD, and Ann H. Long Endowment

The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine is proud to announce the creation of the Curtis W. Long, MD, and Ann H. Long Endowment to support the Department of Family and Community Medicine. The Longs are among MU’s most generous supporters, and they have a remarkable record of service to their community.

The son of humble farmers, Dr. Long was born in a home delivery by Dr. Slater Bull on Sept. 30, 1934, in Ironton, Mo. At the age of 5 he moved to Festus, Mo., where he remained until enrolling in the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1952.

As an undergraduate, Dr. Long served on the committee that purchased property for the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house and helped start the foundation that raised money to build the house. He also worked at a filling station while earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural biochemistry.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from MU in 1956, Dr. Long returned to Festus to work as a cattle buyer in his father’s meatpacking house. He also married Ann Hammack on July 20, 1958. Originally from Macon, Mississippi, she graduated in 1956 from Mississippi State College for Women before teaching physical education at the junior high, high school and college levels. Mrs. Long supported Dr. Long’s education by teaching at Stephens College.

The newlyweds moved to Columbia after Dr. Long was accepted as a student by MU’s medical school. Initially placed on the alternate list for new students, Dr. Long went on to distinguish himself as a physician who has provided an array of essential services to rural patients. Dr. Long graduated from MU’s medical school in 1963 after a year of intensive surgical training at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. He then completed an internship at General Hospital in Kansas City with an emphasis in obstetrics and surgery.

In 1964, Dr. and Mrs. Long moved to Butler, Mo., where they have become pillars of their community. With the same practice operating from the same medical building for more than 40 years, Dr. Long has performed more than 10,000 surgical procedures, delivered more than 4,000 babies and admitted more than 50,000 patients to hospitals. He also independently developed a new tonsillectomy procedure that is relatively painless and bloodless.

An adjunct associate professor of family and community medicine at MU, Dr. Long also is developing training programs for residents. A program he established at MU will help new physicians learn the type of skills needed for bringing comprehensive care to rural areas.

In addition to his contributions to patient care and physician training, Dr. Long has been a leader for organized medicine groups, hospitals, banks and churches. Mrs. Long also has been involved with organizations in their community while serving more than 40 years as business manager for the Longs’ ranch, Briarwoods Farms. They have provided significant support to many agriculture-related organizations, including the American Angus Association, Missouri Angus Association, 4H and Future Farmers of America.

The Longs have two sons – Curtis W. Long Jr., a 1982 graduate of MU, and Kent Long — as well as two grandchildren. This summer the Longs will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

October 2007