Retention Isn’t Optional — Rethinking Physician Recruitment and Long-Term Success with AAPPR CEO Carey Goryl

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host and senior editor Daniel Williams chats with Carey Goryl, CEO of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR), about physician recruitment, onboarding, and — most critically — retention strategies.

Carey shares fresh research insights from AAPPR, highlighting where healthcare organizations are making progress, where gaps remain, and what leaders can do now to build more effective, sustainable retention efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Only about 40% of healthcare organizations report having a formal physician retention strategy, though many are engaging in informal or inconsistent retention activities.
• A major gap is ownership, not effort. Few organizations clearly define who is accountable for retention outcomes across HR, operations, clinical leadership, and recruitment.
• Retention efforts often exist in silos, from compensation and bonuses to mentorship programs and scheduling flexibility, without a cohesive, measurable strategy.
• Foundational metrics — such as days to fill, cost to hire, and one- and five-year retention rates—are often missing, making it difficult to evaluate success or improve outcomes.
• The first week and first three to six months of onboarding are critical — early impressions can strongly influence whether a provider stays long term.
• Organizations can take immediate action by auditing current retention activities, identifying stakeholders, and forming a cross-functional team to align efforts and establish accountability.
• Humanizing the onboarding experience is essential — beyond logistics, organizations should recognize the life transition physicians are making and provide meaningful support.
• Retention maturity exists on a continuum — whether an organization is just starting or more advanced, there is always a next step toward a more structured, strategic approach.

Resources:

• Connect with Carey on LinkedIn
• AAPPR Research Hub
• MGMA Insights Podcast Network

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts!

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