As Dr. A approached the end of her cardiology training, she was never more confident that she was on the right path. As a Black woman, she did not have many peers who looked like her in the cardiology program, but she never let that bother her. It only reinforced the importance of the role she played. According to the Physician Workforce Dashboard published annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), in 2023, just 16.7% of cardiovascular disease specialists were women, and 3.5% were Black or African American. Multiple studies have found that patients benefit when they see themselves reflected in their healthcare providers. This was just one reason Dr. A hoped to focus her practice on women one day.
Dr. A also sought to develop a women’s cardiology program to address an often overlooked fact: cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. In fact, women are more likely to die from a heart attack than men. A recent report from the McKinsey Health Institute explores how cardiovascular conditions impact the “women’s health gap,” a term used to describe the inequity of healthcare provided to women as compared to men. The report concludes that addressing the women’s heart health gap requires sex- and gender-appropriate cardiac care, education, and research. This mission drives Dr. A’s vision to develop and run a women’s cardiac program.
A Clear Vision for Her First Physician Job
While most residents prioritize compensation and location when choosing their first jobs, Dr. A prioritized finding an employer supporting her vision. Currently training in Ohio, Dr. A was open to relocating her family for the right opportunity. She was just beginning to browse cardiology jobs on physician job boards when an opportunity found her.
Ryan Haynes, Senior Search Consultant at Jackson Physician Search, recently opened a search for a non-invasive cardiologist at a hospital in Indiana. Located in a quaint town 90 minutes from Chicago, he knew it would be an attractive opportunity for the right candidate. Ryan posted a job ad highlighting the competitive compensation, positive work-life balance, and family friendly location. He distributed it via the vast Jackson Physician Search job board network. However, he knew it might take a more proactive approach to find the best candidates.
Right Place, Right Time
Ryan leveraged his Doximity license to search the largest online database of physicians. Here, he came across Dr. A. As a cardiology resident who had indicated an interest in Chicago, she came up in Ryan’s search, and he reached out to her via DocMail.
Dr. A was open to a conversation, and once Ryan learned more about her background and interests, he felt certain it was a good match. She shared her goal of developing a women’s cardiology program, and Ryan knew his client would welcome this. He presented her just a few days later, emphasizing her passion for women’s cardiac health. The client was eager to meet her.
A Positive On-Site Visit
After a productive conversation, the organization invited Dr. A and her family to visit the town. She was excited to tour the facility and interview with the team. Ryan passed along the many details he had learned about Dr. A and her family throughout their conversations: her daughters’ interests, her husband’s profession, and their family’s hobbies. The client used this information to tailor the onsite visit, ensuring Dr. A and her family were exposed to the most relevant parts of the town and introduced to people with similar interests.
Their efforts paid off. The community blew Dr. A and her family away; they immediately felt at home. Most importantly, her potential colleagues warmly welcomed her. She knew she would have the support needed to develop a women-focused practice. The hospital presented Dr. A with an offer on-site, which she signed just one week later.
Secrets of Physician Job Search Success
Dr. A is thrilled to have landed her dream opportunity, but it didn’t happen by luck or coincidence. She had a vision of what she wanted in her first physician job and was clear about her priorities. When Ryan approached her about the job at the Indiana hospital, she was upfront about what she was looking for and what she needed to pursue her goals. While a female-focused clinic was not on the organization’s roadmap, they loved Dr. A’s vision and passion for women’s heart health. They knew their all-male team would benefit from the perspective she would bring, so they went above and beyond to roll out the red carpet for Dr. A and her family.
A different candidate may have gone through the recruitment process without sharing their big dreams, but it was precisely this that made such an impression on the organization. As a result, Dr. A will have the chance to start building out her vision as soon as she completes training, bringing gender-specific cardiology care to a community in need.
Whether you are a resident seeking your first physician job or have years of experience, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search is eager to help you realize your professional vision. Contact us today or start searching for physician jobs online now.
