Discover how a rural California FQHC filled six critical positions in 16 months through strategic recruiting, an exclusive partnership, and a family-focused approach.
When a remote FQHC in California experienced years of disappointing outcomes with both contingency and retained search firms, its Executive Director was understandably skeptical to try again. However, when Business Development Manager Olivia Buckmelter called to discuss the organization’s recruitment needs and outlined what a partnership with Jackson Physician Search looks like, she was hopeful this time would be different.
The Executive Director knew the challenges the FQHC was up against. About 2.5 hours away from the nearest airport, the coastal town was very rural and remote, and the primarily Spanish-speaking community was extremely underserved. However, she also knew if she could get the right candidates out there, they would love it. The area is a well-known vacation hub with a population of around 25K and endless natural beauty.
Embracing the Challenge
Senior Search Consultant Camille Carter happily accepted six search assignments for the FQHC. Rather than shy away, she leaned in — conducting an onsite visit, building a deep understanding of the community’s needs, and establishing a regular rhythm of communication. She listened, built trust, and, over time, earned not only a seat at the table but an exclusive recruiting agreement — which really set things in motion.
In the first three months of the partnership, Camille did all that she knew to do. She posted on the 10+ national and regional job boards Jackson Physician Search has access to, combed through our extensive database of physicians, sent highly targeted email and text message campaigns, and cold-called anyone who seemed like they could be a fit. When her efforts, which were usually successful, yielded very little candidate activity, she knew it was time to suggest a strategy change.
Because the FQHC’s location is a popular tourist and vacation destination, Camille believed that name recognition would strengthen her candidate acquisition efforts. She was right. The exclusive agreement allowed Camille to co-brand all of her outreach and marketing with the FQHC’s name and logo, reducing some of the uncertainty associated with the rural location. In no time, Camille had no problem attracting candidates. Over the next 16 months, with Camille’s help, the FQHC successfully filled the six critical positions, with two more pending.
Key Placements That Transformed the Community
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
One of the first breakthroughs came with the placement of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner — secured in just 94 days. The candidate, whom Camille discovered through a radius search and a cold call thanks to her Health eCareers profile, lived about three hours from the community and already understood the region’s landscape. Although she wasn’t actively searching, she was dissatisfied with a role that promised pediatric work but delivered little of it. After discussing the opportunity with her husband and considering the needs of their three children, she agreed to explore further.
Camille guided the Executive Director through elevating the interview experience, introducing thoughtful touches such as a welcome gift basket, shadowing opportunities, and school tours. On top of that, the Executive Director let the children pick an excursion, booked the event, and attended alongside the family herself. To help accommodate the state of the housing market at the time, the FQHC went as far as to provide a rental home fully covered for the first six months. The candidate and her family ultimately relocated, purchased a home, and became deeply connected to the community — a direct result of the recruitment tools Camille had access to and of the FQHC’s high-touch, family-centered approach.
Pediatrician
The search for a full-time pediatrician was one of the most impactful placements. For nearly three years, the community had been without a permanent pediatrician, relying solely on expensive locum providers. The closest pediatrician was over 300 miles away, leaving families without consistent pediatric care. When a colleague referred an experienced, Spanish-speaking physician to Camille, she was thrilled to find a promising lead.
Dr. T was a mission-driven provider who had become burned out in private practice and sought a nonprofit environment more aligned with her values. With three college-aged children living in different states, she was initially concerned about distance, ultimately completing two onsite visits to ensure the move would work for her family. The role offered no call responsibilities, a strong community connection, and the chance to serve an underserved, Spanish-speaking population — the very things she wanted. Her acceptance marked a major milestone for the FQHC, its community, and the broader region, restoring continuity of pediatric care for the first time in years.
Family Medicine Medical Director
Perhaps the most complex search was for a Family Medicine Medical Director. Finding the right leader required patience, alignment, and a meticulously executed interview process. Camille was thrilled when the search turned into a “one interview, one placement” scenario. Dr. K applied directly to the job posting via the Jackson Physician Search job board and stood out immediately. Having built his entire career in the FQHC environment, he was looking to relocate closer to his children, living in Seattle and San Diego.
When Dr. K arrived on-site, the FQHC delivered an exceptional two-day interview: a real-estate tour, passes to local attractions, dinner at a provider’s home, meetings with approximately 40 staff members, shadowing in behavioral health and pain management, and introductions to superintendents from local schools to get a better understanding of the patient population. The immersive experience showcased the community’s values and needs, and Dr. K verbally accepted before returning home.
A Lasting Impact on a Community in Need
The partnership yielded three additional placements. The first was a dentist in Texas seeking a fresh start who reached out to Camille directly after seeing her job posting. The other two placements were Family Medicine Nurse Practitioners: one who used to live in the area and recognized the organization by name via an email campaign to candidates in the Jackson Physician Search database, and another who applied via the Jackson Physician Search job board.
Together, these six hires showcased the full breadth of Jackson Physician Search’s reach: national sourcing, targeted digital outreach, and strong organic candidate engagement. By pairing this strategy with an exclusive agreement, Camille streamlined messaging, strengthened employer branding, and created the consistency needed to attract mission-aligned providers across multiple specialties. The result was a series of successful placements that not only stabilized the organization’s workforce but also expanded access to care for an entire rural community.
As a sign of gratitude, the FQHC is publicly honoring Camille with a plaque in its community garden — a symbolic tribute to the difference these placements have made for patients, families, and the broader region. For rural and mission-driven organizations, this story reinforces a powerful truth: when trust, partnership, and persistence align, even the most challenging searches can deliver outstanding results.
If you have a tough-to-fill position, the team at Jackson Physician Search has the strategy, tools, and expertise to secure the right candidate. Reach out today to learn more.
