When a successful behavioral health organization in Tennessee required a Chief Medical Officer to guide its expansion, the Physician Executive Search team at Jackson Physician Search was eager to assist. After spending time at the organization, the team had a thorough understanding of exactly who was needed in the role and how best to market the position.
As the nation’s mental health crisis worsens, behavioral healthcare organizations across the country face complex issues such as staffing shortages and financial viability that often limit access to care for the populations in greatest need. Despite these underlying challenges, one organization in Nashville stands out for its commitment to serving the underserved and expanding access to care well outside the metro area. The success of the organization’s model, which provides Medicaid patients with 24/7 access to comprehensive mental health and ambulatory medical services, spurred its growth to 12 locations throughout the state. In addition to their long-term programmatic expansion objectives, including the possibility of replicating the model across state lines, its rapid growth meant the organization needed a business-minded physician executive to serve as Chief Medical Officer. This new leader would tighten up clinical operations across existing locations and prepare for further expansion.
Leveraging a Physician Executive Search Partner
Based in Nashville and actively involved in the healthcare community, Tom Rossi, Vice President of Executive Search at Jackson Physician Search, heard about the organization’s need for a physician executive and felt confident he could help. Tom contacted the COO to offer assistance in finding the right person for this critical role. The COO admitted that a physician executive search would be new territory. Most of the organization’s healthcare providers were staff counselors and social workers. Hiring a physician executive was not something she had done before. So, Tom took her through precisely what a physician executive recruitment partnership would look like with Jackson Physician Search.
He explained the importance of his team spending time onsite with the COO and other leaders. He and his colleague, Dirk Jansson, would get to know the organization as they worked together to define the requirements of the role and outline how the recruitment process would progress. Once they presented a suitable candidate, what steps would be needed for scheduling interviews, gathering feedback, making offers, etc? Answering these questions upfront allows the process to move swiftly and seamlessly.
The All-Important Site Visit
The COO was eager to get started. Tom and Dirk visited the organization in late December and left with a clear understanding of who they were seeking for the role. The leader needed medical experience, though it didn’t have to be psychiatry. Someone focused on population health would be ideal. The candidate should have the high-level business and leadership experience required to scale the organization, but most importantly, the right leader would have a heart for service. The organization’s patients were dealing with severe mental illness and substance abuse disorder, often along with other medical complications — not to mention extreme financial difficulties.
During the visit, Tom and Dirk not only met with the organization’s leadership, they spent time with staff and even met some patients. They were blown away by the kindness of everyone they encountered. The organization’s mission was felt in every interaction, and they knew they were looking for candidates who radiated this same level of sincerity and compassion.
Marketing the Physician Executive Job
As Director of Physicain Executive Recruitment, Dirk led the effort to 1) market the position through the vast Jackson Physician Search job board network and 2) leverage multiple physician databases to identify physician executives with the right experience and then reach out to them to gauge cultural fitness, and of course, interest. While both methods play a critical role in identifying physician executive candidates, the former led Dirk to Dr. C, a Medical Director at a Wisconsin health system focused on extending healthcare access in rural communities.
While Dr. C was content in his current position, the organization was being acquired, and he feared the new leadership would move away from the rural mission. Because serving others was at the core of his philosophy, Dr. C began exploring new opportunities with other mission-minded organizations.
A Mission-Minded Match
Dirk connected with Dr. C and shared more about his client’s mission and growth. Dr. C was intrigued, and Dirk immediately recognized the unique combination of business acumen, leadership skills, and overwhelming compassion. Dr. C had an admirable military background, a Master’s in Public Health, and was a Certified Physician Executive through the American Association of Physician Leaders. He checked every box and more. As an occupational medicine physician by training, his healthcare approach revolved around the concept of population health.
The search had only been open for a few weeks when Dirk presented Dr. C and several other qualified candidates to the client. Because of the process established before the search, they could quickly move Dr. C through the recruitment process. After several phone calls, he and his wife visited Nashville to meet the team and tour the facilities. The organization’s mission spoke to Dr. C’s heart, and he was well-equipped to help it scale. The COO and other leaders liked Dr. C’s military background and record of success with his current employer. His heart for service was also evident. They prepared to extend an offer with Dirk’s guidance, which Dr. C happily accepted.
Physician Executive Search Success
Of course, the COO was thrilled with the speed of the results, but most importantly, she was blown away by how well Dirk and Tom understood the organization’s needs, which shone through in the quality of the candidates presented. She was also impressed by the broad reach of Jackson Physician Search, which allowed them to market the position to an audience far beyond what the client could have reached alone. The COO also welcomed their expertise and guidance throughout the recruitment process. She had never recruited a physician executive, so she appreciated the collaborative and consultative relationship and was happy to recommend Jackson Physician Search to anyone needing to hire a physician executive.
“I would highly recommend the team at Jackson Physician Search to all organizations looking to fill unique or difficult roles. The talent pool they have access to is truly top-notch, and the experience they offer to both the organization and candidate is above all others.”
If your organization is embarking on a physician executive search, the team at Jackson Physician Search has the access and expertise to deliver the ideal candidate for the job. Reach out today to learn more.
