Stacey Longnecker: "The perfect fit was family medicine, in a rural setting."

The MMA Foundation recognizes the challenges faced by rural medicine and is pleased to support the Rural Physician Loan Forgiveness program — the MMAF is providing the funding for Stacy's loan forgiveness agreement — and specifically, Dr. Longnecker’s commitment to practice in rural Minnesota.

Longnecker will receive $17,000 per year for up to four years as long as she continues to practice in Ortonville as a primary care physician.

The Rural Physician Loan Forgiveness plan has been in place at MDH-Office of Rural Health & Primary Care since 1991.

Stacy grew up in Ortonville, Minnesota, the youngest of four children. Although she always enjoyed taking care of her “babies” and her various pets, her first true interest in medicine began in junior high, when she lost a close friend to bone cancer. She was so intrigued by the experience, that she knew a career in medicine was right for her. After exploring several different fields, she determined that family medicine was the perfect fit.

While attending Ortonville High School, Stacy participating in basketball, track softball, jazz band, choir, and especially volleyball. Swimming was also important, and Stacy spent summers teaching swimming lessons and life guarding. “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Motor Boat” were two of her favorite songs.

Scrapbooking has always been a primary focus of Stacy’s leisure time. Although the subjects vary, she can always find an excuse to spend time working on pictures, and she continues to be a regular at Archivers.

Stacy has continued to be involved in cancer treatment through her participation in the Relay for Life and her work with bone marrow transplant patients. Cancer screening and prevention will always be an important part of her practice.

Stacy married Isaiah Longnecker in May 2001, and while Stacy was participating in the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) in Ortonville, they had their first baby, Owen Isaiah Longnecker.

Owen was born on October 4th, 2003 at the Ortonville Hospital, delivered by the same physician that delivered Stacy—a testament to the ideal of the family physician.

Stacy recently delivered their second son, Ellis.

After graduation from Medical School, Stacy joined the team at the United Family Medicine Residency Program where she especially valued United’s strong obstetrics, gynecology, women’s health, and cancer screening programs—all of which helped prepare her for life as a rural physician.

Stacy will begin her practice in September at the Northside Medical Center in Ortonville, Minnesota.