Mgma Small Talk

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, sits down with Tony Stajduhar, President, and Neal Waters, Regional Vice President of Recruiting, Jackson Physician Search, to discuss insights from the new research report From Contract to Connection: How Authentic Relationships Foster Early Career Physician Loyalty and Retention.The conversation explores how healthcare leaders can strengthen physician relationships beyond the recruitment phase — from pre-boarding and onboarding to long-term engagement. Tony and Neal share actionable strategies to close the gap between administrative expectations and physician realities, emphasizing culture, communication, and connection as key drivers of retention and satisfaction.Key TakeawaysBridging the Expectation Gap (1:39) Nearly 60% of physicians leave their first job within three years, yet administrators expect six-year tenures. This misalignment reveals a critical need for better communication and expectation-setting during