When an organization undergoing rapid change decided to hire a Chief Medical Officer, Jackson Physician Search stepped up to help them find a visionary leader. With a thorough understanding of exactly who was needed in the role, the physician executive recruitment team was able to identify the perfect physician leader to guide the organization into the future.
An organization experiencing rapid change needs a strong leader to navigate the road ahead. This was precisely the situation facing leadership at a community health organization serving the underserved in the metro Atlanta area. In recent years, the clinic added multiple specialties, expanded to 15 locations, and increased the patient base exponentially. The board agreed they needed to hire a Chief Medical Officer with an eye to the future.
Finding the right fit for the organization was essential — they needed a partner they could trust and who could deliver results. They turned to physician executive recruitment leaders at Jackson Physician Search for assistance.
Two Dedicated Resources
Director of Physician Executive Search Dirk Jansson was assigned to lead the search in tandem with Director of Physician Executive Search Mark Dotson. With 10+ years of experience recruiting physician executives for a large hospital system, Mark would bring valuable insight to the established physician executive recruitment process expertly executed by Dirk. Together, the two would leverage their individual strengths to identify the best candidates for the job.
The first step in the Jackson Physician Search physician executive recruitment process is meeting with stakeholders to learn more about the organization’s culture and the specific requirements for the role. The organization wanted a mission-minded primary care leader with FQHC experience who could also do some clinical work. The right candidate would come to the job with a fresh perspective and quickly identify opportunities for improvement and growth. A profile of the ideal candidate began to take shape, and Dirk and Mark felt confident in their abilities to identify physicians who could succeed in the role.
A Targeted Approach
Dirk immediately started mapping out a list of potential candidates to target in the metro Atlanta area. Leveraging the vast Jackson Physician Search database, the largest opt-in physician database in the country, he identified physician leaders with the experience needed for the job and began reaching out to them. Soon, he had secured several impressive candidates who were eager to be presented for the job.
Leveraging a Personal Network
Meanwhile, Mark leveraged the personal network of physician executives he built from placing physician leaders over the course of a decade. One, in particular, came to mind. Dr. V had always struck him as a forward-thinking physician, and though he was living in Florida at the time, Mark wondered if he might consider a move to the Atlanta area for the right opportunity. He reached out to Dr. V to tell him about the position. As it turned out, Dr. V had family in Atlanta, and his past experience leading a community health center made him a great match for the job.
Dirk and Mark presented several candidates to the client, who quickly set up calls to discuss the full details of the position with the candidates. If the call went well, they invited the candidate to interview formally.
Dirk and Mark had done an excellent job vetting candidates, so the client had several great options. However, Dr. V, Mark’s contact in Florida, was the favorite. Not only did his experience fit the need, but his values and vision also aligned. They extended him an offer, and he was happy to accept.
Secrets of Physician Executive Recruitment Success
Dirk is quick to attribute the success of the search to Mark’s vast network and strong relationships. When he reached out to Dr. V, there was already a level of comfort and trust, so Dr. V knew it was an opportunity he should pay attention to. However, Mark points out that Dirk’s solid execution of the recruitment process identified multiple strong candidates, giving the organization the power of choice. The client also did their part to act quickly, scheduling interviews and providing feedback right away. They understood the complexity of the search and were committed to doing everything they could to make candidates comfortable and keep the process moving.
Successful physician executive recruitment requires multiple layers of expertise. Having access to highly regarded candidates — either through a personal network or large databases of physicians — is essential, but knowing which prospects are best equipped to help the organization reach its goals is even more important. This placement demonstrates the strength of the Jackson Physician Search team in all aspects of the process. Mark’s vast personal network and Dirk’s expert use of the databases were important, but ultimately, it was their thorough understanding of the client’s needs that led to the exact right hire — someone who will help the organization move into the future and serve even more community members in need.
If your organization is facing a difficult physician executive search, the team at Jackson Physician Search has the expertise, access, and tools to assist effectively. Reach out today to learn more.
