Kayla Long, PA-C

Kayla Long is a board-certified physician assistant. During her tenure in her Duke Physician Assistant Surgical Residency, she cared for many patients who required negative pressure wound therapy for surgical wounds, often in locations where maintaining a good seal was a challenge. She enjoyed learning different troubleshooting techniques for these wound vac systems and took pride in making dressing changes as comfortable as possible for patients while ensuring the best conditions for healing. Long began her postsecondary education at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. She earned her master's in physician assistant studies through Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN.

Long's patient care philosophy is centered on building strong, meaningful relationships with patients by treating them with the same compassion and respect she would provide a friend or family member. Understanding patients on a personal level fosters trust, enhances the therapeutic relationship and leads to better health outcomes. Long believes patients should feel valued as individuals, not just as a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. By creating a supportive and open environment, she aims to ensure that patients and their support systems feel comfortable asking questions, voicing concerns and sharing important personal details that may impact their care.

In her spare time, Long enjoys playing, coaching and officiating volleyball. She previously spent three seasons serving as the assistant coach for Chapel Hill Area Volleyball Club’s Girls 12 Black team. Since graduating and becoming a physician assistant, she is very thankful to rejoin the club serving as a head coach.