Dr. Michael John Long

Dr. Michael John Long, age 83 of Bonita Springs, FL passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Dr. Long was born January 30, 1932, in Oxford, England, to the late George Montgomery and Annie (nee Carpenter) Long. A gifted analytic and conceptual thinker, Dr. Long began his career in finance with Morris Motors in his beloved Oxford. Family connections encouraged Dr. Long to immigrate to the United States in 1962, where he worked for Ford Motor Company as a quality assurance engineer. After becoming a naturalized citizen in 1968, Dr. Long continued his education, earning a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Oklahoma in 1973, and a Ph.D. in Medical Care Organization from the University of Michigan in 1978. After earning his terminal degree, Dr. Long embarked on a career as a health economist in academe. He became a respected scholar in his field, conducting seminal studies on the impact of changes in reimbursement policy on the organization, financing, and delivery of hospital and physician services, within the United States medical care system. He was the lead author on over 50 publications in national and international peer review journals, and author of two theoretical text books, paradigms from which remain in use in health management courses across the country. Dr. Long served on the medical faculties of Wayne State University and the Medical University of South Carolina. He served as Director of the programs in Health Administration at both Eastern Michigan University and the University of Alberta. He Chaired the Department of Health Administration at the Pennsylvania State University and the Department of Public Health Sciences at Wichita State University. His academic and career honors included both a scholarship and a management traineeship to advance his educational attainment in his native Oxford, a grant from the National Center for Health Services Research to support his Ph.D. dissertation research into the effect of residential area on the utilization of medical care services, an award for Outstanding Scholarly Excellence from Eastern Michigan University, and twice selected by the American Academy of Medical Administrators to receive their award for Outstanding Scholarship benefitting America’s Health Care Leaders. Dr. Long also excelled in the sports representative of his native England. In his youth, he was an avid footballer (soccer player) and ultimately played in goal for Oxford United. In the United States, he earned the distinction of becoming a national soccer referee for the North American Soccer League, the direct predecessor of today’s Major League Soccer. Cricket was his second love, and in his youth he was an Oxfordshire county wicket keeper. In 1983, Dr. Long met Mary Lescoe, who would become the love of his life, as he would become the love of hers. As Dr. Mary Lescoe-Long, she was, not only his devoted wife and constant companion for 31 years, but was an academic and research partner as well. Dr. Long is survived by his wife Mary; two sons, Sean Christian Long of Sykesville, MD and Ashley Michael Long of Plymouth, MI; two brothers, Francis Long of Eynsham, England and Anthony Long of Wakefield, England; and his two dear grandchildren, Alexandra Elizabeth Long and Aedan Michael Long. He was preceded in death by his much loved son, Adrian Simon Long, in 1989. A Memorial Service will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, September 4, 2015 at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail S., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made, in Dr. Long’s name, to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL. 33908. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Dr. Michael John Long

January 30, 1932 - August 4, 2015