Recruiting a physician to Greenwood is a complex process that takes many months as the doctor and Greenwood Leflore Hospital gauge whether they are a good professional, personal and financial match.
One of the most important elements in the recruiting, according to hospital CEO Jason Studley, is how the community presents itself.
What’s there to do? What about the schools? Will the doctor’s spouse feel comfortable? Will the community welcome the doctor’s influence in its development?
“More physicians who choose rural markets actually choose them based on intrinsic motivators,” Studley told the Greenwood Rotary Club Tuesday.
Studley came on board as the hospital’s chief executive in October. One of the first challenges he faced — besides the COVID-19 pandemic — was stepping up the hospital’s recruitment of physicians. Presently, according to Studley, there are 47 physicians actively practicing in Greenwood, with 31 of them employed by the hospital.
The main recruiting efforts are currently targeted at doctors of obstetrics and gynecology as well as emergency room doctors. The hospital board, according to Studley, also recently approved an attrition plan to look for doctors who could replace some of those on staff who are getting close to retirement.
“We’re actually looking at being able to bring in other physicians to take their place that can give a year or two of experience before we actually find ourselves in the need of missing a physician.”
Recruiting to a rural area comes with its own special hurdles.
Although half of the world’s population lives in rural areas, only 24% of available physicians practice in these areas, Studley said. As a result, doctors in rural areas are treating on average twice as many patients as those in urban areas.
Although it’s commonly suggested that rural hospitals should go after prospects with a rural background, the reality is that 60% of doctors in rural areas come from urban markets, he said.
A less frenetic pace and shorter commutes are a major draw, according to Studley. Greenwood’s downtown is a plus as well, he said.
But there are other areas where the city comes up lacking, he said.
“I hate to say it, but we need a water park. We need a bowling alley. We need more bars and nightclubs. I’m sorry, but these are some of the things that actually have the attraction.”
Among those listening to Studley’s presentation was Richard Macy, who relocated many times during his Air Force career before settling in Carroll County, where his wife grew up.
He told Studley that among the assets the hospital can promote to prospective physicians are the area’s easy access to prime hunting and fishing, a country club where it’s not difficult to get a tee time, and an overall lack of congestion.
“I’ve lived in a number of (large cities),” Macy said. “I’m going to tell you, it’s hell. The commute and the stress. We don’t have that here, and it’s in large measure why I’m here.”
Mayor Carolyn McAdams complimented Studley on the leadership at the Greenwood hospital.
“This is the most stable I’ve ever seen our hospital ... since I’ve been mayor,” the three-term incumbent said.
Studley responded that the attitude of the medical staff has a lot to do with that.
“I’ve never had a medical staff this engaged, this eager to get the quality scores where they need to be, this eager to focus in on patient safety, this eager to change their practice patterns to meet the needs of what the future regulations are going to look like,” said Studley, who ran hospitals in three other Southern states before coming to Greenwood.
“It’s easy to lead when you have that kind of backing with you.”
- Contact Tim Kalich at 581-7243 or tkalich@gwcommonwealth.com.
