Q&A with Dr. Sr. Marlene Long, a reconstructive surgeon who has reshaped thousands of lives

August 18, 2026 | Global Sisters Report

By Lori Shridhare | Global Sisters Report

To sit across from Dr. Sr. Marlene Long is to witness a rare intersection of absolute precision and boundless compassion. At 89 years old, and despite facing recent mobility challenges, Long remains a vibrant, articulate force of nature. She is quite possibly the world’s only Black Catholic nun who is also a fully credentialed general, reconstructive and ophthalmic surgeon.

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