Sentara Surgeon Nancy Longfors, M.D., Treats Patients Like Family
"No matter who you are, I want to provide you with the best care possible. I treat each of my patients as though they're a member of my family," says Nancy Longfors, M.D., a general surgeon practicing at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital.
Dr. Longfors' mother and several other family members were nurses, and she developed an early interest in medicine. She was drawn to surgery because she enjoys making a change that helps her patients immediately. "I got into this field to help people. I love correcting a patient's medical issues so that they can recover and continue doing the activities they enjoy," she says.
Sentara Surgery Specialist Training
Dr. Longfors grew up in Minnesota. After attending college and medical school in the Midwest, she trained as a surgeon at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. From there, her career path took an unconventional route. For several years, she traveled abroad on medical missions, working as a surgeon in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.
"I expected to be overseas for the rest of my life. But while I enjoyed it, I eventually realized I wasn't using all of my surgical skills in that role," she says. "I decided it was time to make a change."
She returned to practice in the Midwest for several years before settling in Virginia, where she'd first trained as a surgeon. "I knew firsthand that Sentara was known for providing excellent care, and I was happy to return to be a part of that," she says.
Minimally-Invasive Robotic Surgery
As a general surgeon, Dr. Longfors performs both planned and emergency procedures. She has a special interest in breast surgery, treating patients with breast cancer as well as noncancerous conditions such as cysts. She also frequently performs hernia and gallbladder surgery.
Dr. Longfors specializes in robotic surgery, which uses tiny tools attached to a robotic arm. Robotic surgery is a type of minimally-invasive surgery requiring much smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Surgeons make very precise movements by controlling the robotic arm.
"I love robotic surgery because it allows us to see things we couldn't otherwise see," Dr. Longfors says. "For some operations, such as hernia repair, robotic surgery is the best minimally-invasive option we have."
Background
Dr. Longfors attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and medical school at the University of North Dakota. She completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Longfors lives in the Chesapeake area and enjoys its quiet atmosphere and easy access to the beach. She loves starting the day by heading out early to watch the sunrise over the ocean. "Nothing beats listening to the waves as the sun comes up," she says. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Learn more about Sentara Surgery Specialists at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital.