Meet Tanika Long | Chief Anesthesiologist at Wellstar Cobb & Founder of Full Circle of Hope, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanika Long and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

My name is Dr. Tanika Long. I am a Barnesville native, and I founded a new nonprofit organization, Full Circle of H.O.P.E., Inc.(FCOH) to help the community of Barnesville, GA/Lamar County. The idea for this organization was inspired by the great need that was obvious in the town of Barnesville, GA. Approximately 20% of people live in poverty, and the household income is directly proportional to the education level achieved. My vision and the vision of FCOH’s board is to bridge this gap and to attempt to prevent a vicious cycle of struggle and generation after generation of poverty from becoming a reality. I grew up under these circumstances. Despite these circumstances, I am the first, and the only, African American female from Barnesville to become a physician, and I left over 20 years ago. As I heard of other people I didn’t know about who were successful and who were fellow Barnesville natives, I realized WE have to come back. We have to come FULL CIRCLE to provide hope for the kids coming after us, to provide an example they can strive for, to provide a helping hand. We are obligated to provide H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Excel). The birth of this extensive, all-encompassing organization which will impact every area where a child needs growth in order to succeed is divinely inspired..

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I completed my undergraduate studies in Atlanta and moved to Philadelphia for medical school and residency. I have been practicing in Pennsylvania and Delaware for the past 15 years, and I moved back home to Georgia to be closer to family and for my current position 1 year ago. I am a Medical Director with MAK Anesthesia and the Chief Anesthesiologist at Wellstar Cobb. My journey has not been easy. It has definitely been a challenge being a black female physician in anesthesia over the years. There’s always people who feel you don’t belong or that you didn’t earn your spot. When you’re new to a place, there are always people who mistake you for the anesthetist, the nurse, the student, or the cleaning crew. There’s nothing wrong with any of those positions, but very rarely do they think you’re the anesthesiologist.. I’ve learned along the way not to sweat the small stuff, to educate where and when others are willing to learn, and to keep being what God has called me to be.

Today, I’m excited about my position and career, but I’m most excited about my role as a wife and mother. We adopted our son 2.5 years ago, and he is a definite joy! My other passion is the new nonprofit I founded. It allows me and others to give back to the children, to the town that gave so much to us. It allows the kids to have an ocular demonstration of what they can achieve even if they grew up in a small town in Georgia.

I want the world to know that even if you impact the life of just one child, you never know how far they will go. So, make the choice to provide H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Excel). Our organization recently held our first Annual Book Drive and over 3000 books were donated to fill 3 Little Libraries that FCOH erected. We have been distributing scholarship and college admission info via our website and Facebook page. Upcoming events include a Money Makeover Carnival/Food Drive in November, Make A Wish Upon A Star event in December to assist families with Christmas toys for their kids, and a career fair (“Can Anything Good Come Out of Barnesville?”) with returning Barnesville natives and a scholarship gala in February 2023! This is the tip of the iceberg in re: events and services we plan to offer. We look forward to partnering with others both near and far to impact our most vulnerable population in our hometown. Please go to our website or social media pages for more information if you’d like to assist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My life currently centers around a 2 year old. So, I don’t know many of the places to visit in Atlanta. I would take them to Illuminarium or to grab a show at the State Farm arena. We would go to the zoo, the aquarium, and hang out at the local parks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Only by the grace of God, the love of reading and education, the support of family, and the generosity of anonymous donors in my town did I become the physician I am today.

Website: www.fullcircleofhope.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullcircleofhope/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullcircleofhopega/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCcOG1RO7Gy4K-Izm80DB81w/featured