Dr. D was enjoying a relaxing summer afternoon at her family’s lake house in Battle Lake, Minnesota, just as she had since childhood, when she got a text message from Cori Centerino, a Senior Search Consultant at Jackson Physician Search.
The timing was almost too perfect. A Top 100 National Hospital was looking for a Family Medicine/OB physician based in Fergus Falls, just 23 minutes away, and Dr. D would be finishing her fellowship in Alabama soon. She was looking for her next opportunity, but her search was focused on a fresh start in the Mountain West. She hadn’t considered returning to the Midwest, but that text opened the door to a new possibility that she was surprised she hadn’t considered. As a new mother, having family nearby would be both helpful and fulfilling. Plus, she knew Fergus Falls was a community where she could have a long-lasting impact.
She texted Cori back, stating her interest and ability to interview immediately.
“You won’t believe this — I’m less than a half hour away!”
Perfect Time, Perfect Place, Perfect Match
The momentum was swift. Dr. D’s onsite visit with the hospital’s team was scheduled for the following week. During the interview process, the team took care to show Dr. D. the full picture of what life in Fergus Falls could look like. They walked her through childcare options for the days beyond what her family could cover. They showed her the churches, the neighborhoods, the rhythms of a community that would embrace her young family.
Her ideal position had always been rooted in work-life balance and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility. This opportunity checked every box: a four-day work week with a manageable panel of 20 patients per day, a schedule that allowed her to provide the personalized, high-level of care she wanted to offer her patients. The final compensation package was competitive and included a generous sign-on bonus that would be forgiven over four years, plus a monthly stipend to support her through the remainder of her fellowship.
That fellowship, along with a one-year commitment in Alabama, means Dr. D. won’t officially start at the hospital until two years from the day she signed. When Cori discussed this with the hospital, its leadership trusted her judgment that it would be worth the wait. Ultimately, both sides recognized that they’d found something special: an early-career Family Medicine Obstetrics physician with local ties, and the opportunity for Dr. D to plant roots and build community in a place close to her heart and her family.
Flexibility Expands Possibilities
Dr. D. found the perfect placement at a time and a place she never expected because she built flexibility into her search parameters and responded quickly to Cori’s text campaign. Despite being on maternity leave when opportunity unexpectedly came knocking on the door of her family’s lake house, she was ready to interview immediately. Her responsiveness demonstrated her enthusiasm for the role, and the combination of her qualifications and connection to the community made her stand out as a candidate. Cori confidently presented her to the hospital and advocated that they, too, should demonstrate flexibility in order to secure the best long-term fit. In the end, the hospital was willing to give her an ideal contract and wait two years for her to start because she and Cori worked hand in hand to prove she was the ideal physician for the role.
Sometimes the right position is closer than you think. Jackson Physician Search helps physicians find roles that fit not just their career goals, but their whole lives. If your job search could benefit from an introduction by a permanent recruiter, contact us today or search physician jobs online now.
