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CASE STUDY: How Recruiting Expertise Drove 96% Retention, A Staffed Program, and $5M in Annual Locums Savings

OVERVIEW

When a regional health system transitioned its Emergency programs, stability was the top priority. Despite retaining 96% of incumbent clinicians, the system faced significant challenges: leadership turnover, high vacancy rates, and the need to rebuild clinician trust after years of locums dependence and operational inconsistency.  

Core was engaged not only to recruit, but to restore balance, leadership and community confidence. 

THE CHALLENGE

  • Persistent physician and APP vacancies created operational and clinical instability.
  • Leadership gaps at both system and site levels hindered consistent communication and direction.
  • Recruiting in rural markets demanded local knowledge, credibility, and a long-term presence.
  • Clinician engagement required rebuilding through transparency and accountability.

THE CORE APPROACH

Core worked hand-in-hand with hospital leaders to deliver a stabilization strategy rooted in partnership, experience, and local presence. 

Recruiting Expertise
Leveraged a team of recruiters averaging 10+ years of Emergency Medicine experience, providing consultative, relationship-driven recruitment and access to long-standing clinician networks. Unlike competitors whose recruiters often have only one to two years of experience, Core’s recruiting professionals bring deep, industry-specific insight that translates into sustainable results. 

Customized Recruiting Solutions

  • Local Focus: Re-engaged clinicians with community ties to return to system. 
  • Strategic Flexibility: Added regional float clinicians to provide coverage across multiple facilities
  • Career Development: Established proctorship pathways that allowed clinicians to expand into new roles and leadership tracks.

Collaborative Leadership 

  • Strengthened system and regional leadership while recruiting local Market Medical Directors to provide on-the-ground clinical leadership.
  • Integrated regional operations and clinical operations for unified priorities and transparent communication. 
  • Deployed a Regional Director of Operations and Clinician Recruiter with rural health expertise, emphasizing Core’s commitment to the local community.
  • “We care about the community because we are part of the community.”

THE RESULTS

  • Clinician Retention: 95% of FTE physicians and 98% of FTE APPs retained.
  • Recruiting Momentum: 36 new clinicians hired in the first 90 days, with another 17 onboarded in the following quarter, delivering sustained recruiting success.
  • Locums Impact: Reduced locums usage to 4%, saving an estimated $5M annually compared to the previous group’s supplemental staffing costs.
  • Leadership Strengthened: Local Medical Directors now driving alignment, accountability, and clinician engagement across the system.

THE COMMUNITY IMPACT

By pairing strong system processes with local leadership and community-rooted recruiting, Core helped restore confidence in care delivery. The intentional focus on transparency and relationship-building has created a foundation for long-term stability, ensuring that patients, families, and clinicians alike benefit from continuity, trust, and high-quality care.

Core’s approach goes beyond filling shifts. By stabilizing leadership, embedding local Medical Directors, and leveraging rural-focused recruiting expertise, Core transforms staffing challenges into lasting success.

Core Clinical Partners doesn’t just implement changes. We partner with hospitals to rebuild confidence, align teams, and deliver measurable improvement. From recruiting to retention, Core Clinical Partners delivers stability, leadership alignment, and measurable financial impact.

📞 Ready to strengthen your staffing strategy? Contact us to schedule a strategic assessment with our team.