Jackson Physician Search helped a regional Iowa hospital hire its new CMO in just 63 days by leveraging decades-long recruiter relationships, resulting in the perfect match of clinical expertise and leadership experience.
A longtime Jackson Physician Search client, a regional hospital in Iowa, had partnered with us on multiple occasions, including several active searches and four completed physician searches. The hospital, located about ninety minutes from a larger metro area, serves as a pillar of care in its rural community, providing everything from labor and delivery services to elder care on campus, with remote outpatient clinics as well.
While the CEO was working with David Demro to find family medicine physicians and FMOBs, he recognized the need for a physician leader to strengthen clinical quality, guide its medical staff, and help implement new initiatives such as EMR optimization. After losing its acting CMO years earlier, the hospital determined it was time to fill the role with a new physician executive.
Found: Clinical Expertise Combined with Leadership Experience
David immediately connected the CEO with Mark Dotson, Director of Physician Executive Search, to assist. Mark spoke with the CEO about the leadership experience, rural familiarity, and clinical background they sought in a candidate. Ideally, the candidate would also be a licensed MO in the state of Iowa who was board-certified as well. Not long after Mark got off the call, Dr. B popped into his head.
Mark has known Dr. B for years and was actively helping him find a new leadership position. After working for a large health system in Chicago, Dr. B was looking to join a smaller practice where he could be more hands-on in the practice and the community. Even better, Mark also knew Dr. B had previously practiced in Iowa and had a license to practice in the state. He was board-certified and brought over two decades of healthcare experience, eight years of leadership, and a clinical background in both family medicine and as a hospitalist — the hospital’s preferred specialties.
Presenting the Right Candidate in 4 Hours
The more Mark thought about it, the more Dr. B seemed perfect for the role. He called Dr. B to tell him about the position and gauge his interest. As it turns out, Dr. B was familiar with the area and had worked with the hospital previously. He agreed that the opportunity appeared to check his boxes, and Mark presented him for the role — just four hours after his call with the CEO.
While Mark attracted additional candidates through posting on our vast network of physician job boards and outreach via the largest, opted-in physician database, Dr. B remained the clear choice. The CEO was quick to schedule phone interviews and get Dr. B on-site. He arranged a facility and community tour for Dr. B and his wife, and set aside time for him to personally meet each physician related to the role. The CEO even set up virtual calls for Dr. B to meet physicians who were unable to be there in person. Dr. B had a warm and welcoming experience and was eager to join the team. After ironing out details related to compensation and the structure of the role, Dr. B was happy to accept the position 63 days after the start of the search.
The Results
Today, Dr. B serves as CMO for the hospital, overseeing the entire network alongside the CEO. The physicians and advanced practice providers now have a leader to go to for guidance, and the CEO now has the trusted clinical expertise he was seeking in a physician partner — someone to provide knowledge on procedures, care delivery, and innovative approaches to transforming healthcare in the community. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Dr. B continues to practice clinically as well — a priority for the CEO, who wanted the CMO to remain connected to patient care.
For Dr. B, the opportunity represents a return to his roots and a chance to take on broader medical leadership responsibilities in a close-knit community setting.
Secrets of Physician Executive Recruitment Success
When healthcare organizations partner with Jackson Physician Search, they benefit not only from the nation’s most extensive opt-in database but also from the personal networks built over decades by our physician executive recruiters. In this case, the trusted relationship between recruiter and candidate enabled the client to identify the right physician leader in just four hours and finalize the hire in 63 days — ensuring the hospital and its community now have a dedicated CMO to guide care well into the future.
Does your organization have a challenging physician executive position to fill? The executive search team at Jackson Physician Search has the access and expertise to identify candidates who meet your needs. Reach out today to learn more.
