Dr. R was an overworked, underpaid, and overly stressed oncologist. The worst part of her grueling schedule was that it didn’t allow her the time to search for a better job or the energy to think about where she wanted to go. At 64, with her kids grown and moved out of state, she longed for a new beginning. Perhaps somewhere closer to her family and friends, as she looked forward to her retirement years. She didn’t have time to daydream, but she did have a few spare moments between shifts to create a profile on Doc Cafe. If her experience taught her anything, it was that top oncologists are hard to find. There was a strong chance her profile would get noticed.
Opportunity Calls
When Dr. R’s phone rang during a grocery shopping trip, she took a chance and picked up. She hoped it might be opportunity calling, and turns out, it was. That unknown number belonged to Megan Corbett, Senior Search Consultant at Jackson Physician Search. Megan was searching for the right candidate for an exciting role in Plattsburgh, NY, with an established university health network.
Dr. R couldn’t believe her luck. She loved Plattsburgh. The charming, historic city situated on the shores of Lake Champlain was a favorite stop on her drives to visit her daughter in college in Montreal. She also loved the idea of working for the university and being closer to Burlington, where she had close friends. She told Megan she was interested but would have to call her back after she put her groceries away.
Megan was also feeling fortunate that day. Dr. R was the first physician to express excitement about living in Plattsburgh. Her outreach with other candidates turned cold once she explained that they would not be part of a large, highly specialized team on the university’s main campus, but rather a 45-minute ferry ride away at a smaller hospital that needed generalists.
The clock was ticking as the Plattsburgh facility faced a critical oncology staffing shortage. What had once been a four-physician oncology department had dwindled to two providers focused on lung and breast cancer. This left gaps in comprehensive hematology-oncology care that expensive locum physicians were struggling to fill.
A New Year’s Resolution for a Career Renewal
Dr. R’s onsite visit was scheduled early in the New Year — the perfect time to make a big life change. She was thrilled to find that the Plattsburgh practice offered her the opportunity to provide hematology-oncology care without the pressure of sub-specialization. Working alongside two nurse practitioners and one physician associate, she would be part of a collaborative team serving an older, close-knit community that included both local residents and military families from the nearby base.
The practice structure addressed many of the challenges that drove her away from her previous role. Instead of being constantly on call and overworked, she would have four clinic days plus one administrative day each week. Call coverage would be managed remotely through laptop, tablet, and phone, allowing for true work-life balance. Finally, she could return to the work she loved without the crushing time pressures she’d experienced before. She would have extra time to spend with her friends in Burlington and her daughter in New York City, which would be an Amtrak ride away.
Adding to the appeal was the academic component. Because the role was a partial academic position, Dr. R would have access to the latest developments in oncology research and treatment protocols, while mentoring the next generation of oncologists. She was inspired. The organizational culture and mission were exactly what she hoped for.
Negotiating for Success
There was one catch. Dr. R’s board certification had lapsed in 2003, though she remained board eligible. This is a common challenge many physicians face during career transitions or family-focused years. However, Megan overcame this hurdle by highlighting that Dr. R was actively participating in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s recertification pathway. She also underscored the wealth of clinical experience Dr. R would bring to the practice. The initial board certification challenge added a month to the process, yet the negotiations moved forward, including adding a relocation package and signing bonus to the already competitive compensation offer.
From Burnout to Renewal
After 110 days from initial contact to final placement, Dr. R’s journey with Jackson Physician Search culminated in February with a signed contract to solidify her next chapter. The placement represented more than just a job change. It was a complete professional renewal. In Plattsburgh, she wouldn’t just be treating diseases; she’d be caring for neighbors, understanding their stories, and becoming part of a community as she prepared for retirement.
Dr. R’s story is an inspiration for physicians at any career stage who feel stuck in unsatisfying roles and are overwhelmed by mounting caseloads. Making a career change doesn’t need to be a daunting, time-consuming task. It took just a little time to create a Doc Cafe profile. And with a little luck, Dr. R connected with a motivated recruiter who offered the opportunity of a lifetime that would bring her closer to her family, friends, and love of medicine.
Whether you’re seeking your first position or simply considering a change, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search understands that every placement is ultimately about more than just matching skills with needs—it’s about helping physicians find where they can do their best work while building the life they want. Contact us today or begin your search for physician jobs online now.
