In August 2021, Steve Weiner Search Group (SWS) celebrated 25 years of healthcare executive search success. Focused on the recruitment of C-suite executives and healthcare leaders in the acute and post-acute care space, SWS prides itself on utilizing a highly personalized search approach to connect its clients with the right candidates. Steve Weiner, President of a leading healthcare executive search firm, reminisces and answers questions regarding the past 25 years of success.
What has made your healthcare search practice successful over the past 25 years?
There have been many integral parts that have fostered success in my executive search practice, all of which have been centered around providing outstanding customer service and the highest quality of work by doing it right the first time. I am proud to share that over 80% of our hospital/healthcare system clients bring us repeat business. We also boast a candidate retention rate that exceeds 85%! This attention to detail stems from my time as a pivotal leader with SSM Health in the journey of continuous quality improvement resulting in the healthcare system being honored with the first Malcolm Baldrige Award in healthcare. As a healthcare administrator working in several of the major medical hubs in America (Southern and Northern California, Dallas, Washington D.C., Central Missouri), it has helped me further understand the nuances of recruitment and retention to ensure a hiring decision that results in client satisfaction and a candidate’s success and fulfillment.
Where does your drive come from?
My drive and resiliency were instilled in me at a young age. Hard work and dedication are keys for success, and through my many years playing a variety of organized sports such as basketball and tennis, I developed a competitive drive to win. While facing many challenges due to injury, my passion for success produced a work ethic I continue to carry with me to this day. This developed a competitive spirit which fueled my ambition to climb through the ranks in the healthcare administration field. I have utilized my team-first mindset throughout my career as a healthcare professional and president/executive recruiter of my search practice by collaborating daily with other professionals and elite healthcare systems/organizations across the country.
What are the key characteristics you look for in a potential candidate during a recruitment effort?
Although the technical skills and expertise of a candidate are important, ensuring the proper fit within the organization’s culture, leadership team, workforce, and community is vital in the successful placement of healthcare executives. As organizations continue to search for results oriented top talent, there are several leadership characteristics that will always be important and desirable. Leaders who are compassionate, genuine, collaborative, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and lead by example are highly sought after.
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion initiatives?
Originally from Long Beach, New York, I was born and raised in a highly diverse community. I understand as well as anybody the needs surrounding underrepresented populations which is why diversity and inclusion efforts have been ingrained in my search practice from day one. Striving for equality within the healthcare management field, I place a high priority on providing equal opportunity for candidates in underrepresented populations keeping in mind the importance of requisite qualifications and fit for the position. I also understand the enhanced value and increased opportunities for success by establishing a diverse team at all levels of an organization that reflects its workforce, community, and the people it serves.
How will you continue your success in the years to come?
I am going to continue to be a results driven leader and aspire for excellence in my healthcare executive search practice. My firm’s values of integrity, passion for excellence, quality, personalized service, and customer satisfaction will always be first and foremost. A large portion of SWS’s success is owed to the robust nationwide network which we have developed throughout the past 25 years. I understand the importance of my relationships with thought leaders across the country, which is why I will continue the nurturing of these engagements in the years to come. In addition, we are always looking for ways to improve. This keeps the work fresh and exciting. It is easier to be successful when you enjoy what you do, and I love my job!