Experts agree that physician leaders play an essential role in the continuous effort to improve healthcare delivery and keep up with growing patient demand. Physician executives bridge the gap between clinical practice and executive management, offering unique insights to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and elevate organizational culture.
As Vice President of Executive Search for Jackson Physician Search, I work with clients who understand the importance of physician leadership. They hire physician executives for all the reasons mentioned above. However, physician executives have the potential to impact organizations in countless ways. One pivotal area not to overlook is the role they can play in physician recruitment. By effectively leveraging physician leaders in the recruitment process, organizations will attract and hire physicians who are a better fit for the organization and will therefore be more likely to succeed and stay for the long term.
How to Involve Physician Leaders in Recruitment
Physician executives are uniquely positioned to add significant value to the physician recruitment process. These leaders understand the day-to-day realities of clinical practice, recognize the challenges and rewards of working in specific environments, and can speak authentically about the organization’s culture and values. Including physician leaders in recruitment can lead to better cultural alignment and higher retention rates, and impress candidates who increasingly seek organizations where physicians have a voice.
To effectively leverage physician leaders in your recruitment strategy, focus on involving them at all stages. Highlight them at conferences and public-facing events, encourage them to engage their networks, and ask them to participate in the formal and informal components of the on-site interview.
1. Showcase Physician Leaders
Physician executives serve as valuable ambassadors for your organization. Their presence proves that your organization values physician input and involves them in policy decisions.
For this reason, physician executives should be front and center. This applies not only in the individual recruitment process but also at conferences, seminars, speaking events, social media channels — anything that builds your employer brand. Prospective hires are more likely to apply to and join a system where they see physicians actively involved in decision-making and leadership.
Takeaway: When possible, place physician executives in high-profile situations to establish your organization’s dedication to physician leadership.
2. Access Their Networks and Referrals
Physician leaders at your organization likely have extensive professional networks, which they should continually build by attending the aforementioned conferences and seminars as ambassadors for your organization. By developing those relationships and tapping into connections, organizations can identify and attract high-caliber candidates who may not be actively seeking new positions.
Takeaway: Task physician executives with candidate outreach for especially challenging roles.
3. Highlight the Path to Physician Leadership
In a 2024 joint study from Jackson Physician Search and the Medical Group Management Association, two-thirds (67%) of practicing physicians expressed a desire to pursue leadership roles. With two out of three candidates likely interested in a future leadership role, it is essential to demonstrate that the organization is dedicated to developing physicians into leaders and has the means to do so.
When candidates encounter physicians promoted to leadership positions at your organization, they immediately know that the organization is committed to developing physician leaders internally. Make it clear to candidates that the organization prioritizes physician leaders and offers a defined path to leadership for physicians interested in developing into leaders.
Takeaway: If you have physician leaders who were developed internally and promoted into the role, be sure to highlight them and the path they took to leadership.
4. Include Physician Leaders in the Interview Process
Physician executives should be heavily involved in the interview process. Think beyond a formal sit-down interview and plan for the physician executive to have drinks or a meal with the candidate. Of course, the physician leader can and should evaluate the candidate’s clinical qualifications. However, the leader must also determine if and how the candidate will fit into the department and if they will be happy in the role. Physician executives can also speak to candidates authentically about physician autonomy at the organization and the degree to which physicians are involved in decision-making.
Takeaway: Give physicians formal and informal access to physician leaders and encourage transparency in those interactions.
Empower Physician Leaders in Recruitment
Physician executives are excellent ambassadors for your organization. If leveraged effectively, they can positively influence how physician candidates view your organization. When possible, increase their visibility to the public to demonstrate your commitment to physician leadership. Encourage them to build professional networks and reach out to potential candidates when needed. Involve them in the interview process at multiple levels so candidates can hear firsthand how physicians are involved in decision-making at the organization.
Of course, physician executives already have a lot on their plates and may be resistant to getting involved, but their active participation will improve the quality of physician hires, which, of course, positively impacts the community, the organization, and most importantly, the patients.
If your organization is seeking physician leaders, the Physician Executive Search team at Jackson Physician Search is eager to leverage our vast network to help you find the best candidate for your organization. Reach out today for more information.
About Tom Rossi
Tom Rossi has over three decades of dedicated experience in recruitment and leadership within the healthcare sector. Prior to joining Jackson Physician Search as the Vice President of Executive Search in 2023, Rossi served as National Vice President of Physician Recruitment for HCA Healthcare for 20+ years. Before spearheading physician and provider recruitment, Rossi played a pivotal role in HCA’s executive recruitment division and spent six years prior to that leading a team of executive recruiters for a professional services firm.
Outside his professional endeavors, Rossi engages in meaningful volunteer work, contributing to organizations such as Football Parents at Ohio State (FPAOS) and Habitat for Humanity. Rossi cherishes family life and is a proud parent of three adult children.
