Gov. Bethany Hall-Long

About

Dr. Bethany Hall-Long served as Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor beginning in 2017, she became Governor on January 7, 2024 when Governor John Carney resigned to become Mayor of Wilmington. She served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 2002-2008 and in the Delaware Senate from 2008-2017.

Bethany was born and raised in Sussex County on her family farm with her two older brothers. She graduated from Indian River High School where she met her Husband Dana, who served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. Later, she earned a BSN from Thomas Jefferson University, an MSN from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a PhD in health policy and nursing administration from George Mason University. As a lifelong nurse and research scientist, Dr. Hall-Long has dedicated her medical career to addressing health inequities and expanding treatment options and access for mental healthcare in Delaware. She has been nationally recognized for her research and community service record with at-risk groups such as pregnant teens, diabetics, the homeless, and people facing mental health challenges and substance use disorder.

Bethany also serves as the principal investigator of the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps (DMRC), where she helps lead the state’s response to public health emergencies. In the fall of 2020, Governor Carney appointed Bethany to co-chair the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC). Comprised of over 50 Delaware leaders in both the private and public sectors, the PRAC was tasked with preparing a pandemic playbook that included a strategy focused on health, business, and equity to combat a potential resurgence of COVID-19 in Delaware.

As Lt. Governor, Bethany led the effort to create the Behavioral Health Consortium to address the opioid epidemic, substance use disorder, and mental health challenges facing Delawareans. As Chair, she convenes parents, teachers, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, lawmakers, and community members who have been impacted by mental health and addiction to expand access to treatment and care. She believes that no one’s access to healthcare should be determined by their zip code. Her efforts have helped bring substantive and effective change in stemming the opioid crisis and creating a behavioral health system that works for everyone in Delaware.

Dr. Hall-Long is currently a Professor of Nursing and Joint Faculty in Urban Affairs at the University of Delaware. Her unique blend of experience in academic research and public service has allowed her to be the leading voice in ensuring that we create a stronger, healthier Delaware. Committed to training and teaching the next generation, Bethany is National Co-Chair of Million Women Mentors. Her work, research, and accomplishments focus on finding real solutions to vexing social problems.

Staff