Building Loyalty and Reducing Turnover Among Early-Career Physicians
The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) Enterprises is excited to recognize Jackson Physician Search as our June 2026 Endorsed Business Partner. Throughout the month of June, SDAHO Enterprises will offer several opportunities for members to learn more about Jackson Physician Search through a live webinar, social media engagement, and featured resources focused on physician recruitment and retention.
As health care organizations across the country continue to navigate workforce shortages and increasing provider turnover, Jackson Physician Search remains a national leader in helping hospitals, health systems, and medical groups recruit and retain high-quality physicians and advanced practice providers. Their work extends beyond recruitment, helping organizations build long-term workforce strategies that strengthen organizational culture, physician engagement, and retention.
Earlier this year, Jackson Physician Search and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) released a new white paper titled From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early-Career Physician Loyalty and Retention. The report explores why many early-career physicians leave their first positions sooner than expected and highlights strategies organizations can implement to improve physician loyalty and long-term retention.
According to the research included in the whitepaper, many health care leaders believe newly recruited physicians will remain with their organizations for six years or longer, while many early-career physicians report leaving their first role within just a few years. The report identifies several factors that contribute to this “expectation gap,” including lack of communication before start dates, limited mentorship opportunities, and organizational cultures that fail to align with physician expectations.
The white paper also found that authentic relationships are among the strongest drivers of physician loyalty. Early-career physicians consistently identified relationships with peers, support staff, and physician leaders as key contributors to long-term satisfaction and engagement. Physicians who reported strong professional relationships also noted higher levels of trust, collaboration, and organizational commitment.
Additional findings from the report highlight that physicians increasingly value transparency, flexibility, and opportunities for meaningful engagement within their organizations. Many early career providers expressed that consistent communication during recruitment and onboarding significantly impacts their long-term perception of an organization. The research also emphasizes the importance of physician well-being, leadership accessibility, and creating a culture where physicians feel heard, supported, and connected to the mission of the organization.
Team collaboration, work-life balance, clear communication, and opportunities for physician voice in leadership were also identified as essential factors influencing retention. Health care organizations that prioritize mentorship, intentional onboarding, frequent communication, and culture-building efforts are more likely to retain physicians and create environments where providers feel connected and supported. Jackson Physician Search emphasizes that retention begins long before a physician’s first day on the job and requires organizations to build meaningful relationships throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.
SDAHO alongside Jackson Physician Search will host a webinar that will take a deeper dive into the findings from the report, free to SDAHO members.
Upcoming Member Exclusive Webinar
June 17, 2026, | 12:00 p.m. CT
From Contract to Connection: Building Loyalty and Reducing Turnover Among Early-Career Physicians
Presented by Tim Sheley, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Tara Osseck, Senior Vice President, Recruiting, Jackson Physician Search
This member-exclusive webinar will explore the latest national research surrounding physician retention and provide actionable strategies healthcare organizations can use to strengthen engagement and loyalty among early-career physicians.
Attendees will learn:
- Key drivers influencing early-career physician retention
- Strategies to improve onboarding and pre-boarding communication
- The importance of mentorship and organizational culture
- How healthcare leaders can close the “expectation gap”
- Practical ways to build trust, connection, and long-term engagement
The session will offer valuable insight for health care executives, physician recruiters, HR professionals, medical staff leaders, and anyone involved in workforce development and physician engagement.
Access the Full White Paper
SDAHO members are encouraged to review the full Jackson Physician Search white paper:Â From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early-Career Physician Loyalty and Retention
About Jackson Physician Search
Jackson Physician Search is an established industry leader in physician recruitment and pioneered the recruitment methodologies standard in the industry today. The firm specializes in the permanent recruitment of physicians, physician executives, and advanced practice providers for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and medical groups across the United States.
For more information, visit JacksonPhysicianSearch.com. or SDAHO Enterprises – enterprises.sdaho.org/jps
