THE PACE GROUP’S CONTINUED
SUCCESS AT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN
GULFPORT
Situation Analysis
The Vice President of Medical Affairs (M.D.) provides direction and guidance through the communication of goals and the promotion of the Hospital’s vision. This position is responsible for integrating plans and actions by fostering cooperative relationships between the Medical Staff, departments, service lines, and Hospital Administration. The ideal candidate was a successful clinician with executive experience and interpersonal skills that would have a lasting impact on medical staff relations.
A hospital with a
well-established reputation, Memorial remains dedicated to excellence in
advanced healthcare.
However, Hurricane Katrina struck
Outline Of PACE Process
PACE contacted approximately 100 individuals, including personal calls and visits to hospitals to speak with potential candidates and healthcare executives. PACE sent 20 mailings, and over 45 emails, all followed up with phone calls, to contacts and potential candidates gathered from the PACE proprietary database, healthcare contacts (CEO’s and hospital associations), and contacts in the graduate education arena. PACE posted the VPMA position on several healthcare sites focusing on attracting physician executives (ex. ACPE) and on the PACE website. In addition, an ad was placed in a leading healthcare magazine, an Advance publication targeting healthcare IT professionals.
50 Approximately 50 resumes, emails, and letters of interest were received by PACE.
21 Potential Candidates (expressed initial
interest and had required experience – approximately 29 were eliminated due to
experience, characteristic requests from MHG, or expressed lack of interest in
16 Remained after further scrutiny of previous experience – PACE reviewed resumes internally and with healthcare contacts for additional opinions. PACE set up preliminary interest calls (PICs) with these professionals to gain a better feel for their personality, experience, and interest.
10 Remained – 4 candidates withdrew from the search due to the location. 2 were eliminated due to the caliber of remaining candidates.
4 Interviewed via conference call – interviewed 1 of the 4 twice.
6 Interviewed face to face.
5 Presented to MHG as the top candidates from an executive national search.
3 Candidates selected for site visits.
1. Strong Committed Leadership - Both
Private and Public.
The Memorial
executive search committee was made up of the senior level hospital executives.
They were clear with their desires and carefully evaluated each candidate. Each
leader gave a great first impression and played a substantial part in the site
visits. Each candidate had fantastic things to say about the area and staff
after their initial interview.
2. Buy-In From the Medical Staff.
Memorial included the medical staff to play a vital role in the interview and evaluation process. Mr. Marchand worked closely with leaders of the medical staff to ensure they had a part in the process and felt good about the selected candidate.
3. Selected Candidate Sold on the Area.
The leading candidate was sold on the area by PACE and Memorial. The Hurricane had a substantial impact on her feelings. However, due to the strong bond formed with the Memorial staff, she remained interested and was eager to help. Memorial maintained communication after the hurricane and made sure all parties were informed of the hospital and community’s state. PACE also worked hard to keep communication lines open, address concerns, and find answers in a professional and respectful manner.
Having worked with the Pace Group
on several occasions I had no doubt they were the professional team needed
for the VPMA search. They keep the
client informed and updated on their progress.
They have always provided just the right person for the position to
be filled. They are dedicated, professional,
and provide very qualified candidates. Dr. Downs is a perfect fit for us and we are
pleased to have her on our team.
- Mrs. Myrtis Franke
Myrtis_franke@lott.senate.gov
Going through a
search process is a very stressful process. The PACE Group really knows how to
take the pressure off and were wonderful to work with. I believe they saw far
earlier than I did what a great fit Memorial hospital and it's people were for
me. After Hurricane Katrina many of the
people I am now working with wondered why in the world I would still be joining
the Memorial staff. The truth is, I
accepted the position because I saw a wonderful community--don't know how many
times I heard people say "I love living here" and even more I saw a
great administrative team and a very dedicated staff. In the end, it was the people of Memorial
that made we want to come even in the face of the devastation.
- Dr.
Ndowns@mhg.com