Kristen E. Long, MD, is being recognized for her outstanding and proactive engagement in Clinical Informatics, demonstrated through her exceptional drive to optimize the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for her work as a PICU faculty physician. Her passion for improving clinical workflows through technology has made her an invaluable resource and partner to the Informatics team.
In the high-stakes, fast-paced environment of the PICU, efficient, precise documentation and order entry are critical. Dr. Long goes above and beyond her clinical responsibilities, actively seeking out and collaborating with analysts to design and implement useful tools that enhance patient safety and streamline complex critical care processes. Her enthusiasm for exploring the full potential of EPIC is evident in several custom-built solutions she has championed, all without having received formal Physician Builder training.
Dr. Long’s self-driven curiosity is the engine behind her success. She doesn’t just identify problems; she dives deep into the EHR’s capabilities, constantly asking, “What is possible?” and challenging the status quo. Her proactive communication with analysts is rooted in a clear understanding of clinical needs, leading to the creation of highly-tailored tools that directly translate to better care delivery and reduced cognitive load for her PICU colleagues.
“I honestly get so excited about what we can build in EPIC! It’s rewarding to combine our clinical needs with the technical capabilities to create tools that make our care safer and more efficient in the PICU. I love collaborating with the analysts—it truly is the best part of the process, and I’ll keep exploring new ways to make things better.”
Through her exceptional curiosity, unwavering enthusiasm, and remarkable ability to engage with technical teams to implement meaningful changes, Dr. Long truly exemplifies the spirit of innovation and peer support celebrated by the MI HERO program.