Tips for Launching Your Medical Career During the COVID-19 Pandemic

After a Rescinded Offer, a Dream Job

Blake Raggio, MD, understands all too well the old adage about the best-laid plans. Dr. Raggio had locked down a job offer last September, long before his American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship with the University of Toronto would end this summer. He was all set to start a position with a private practice in Dallas that was going to be funded for the first year by an academic medical center with which the group had contracted. The hospital saw revenue drop because of COVID-19 and abruptly rescinded the position in April. With only two months of his fellowship left, a family to support, and debt to pay off, Dr. Raggio frantically researched opportunities far and wide.

“For two weeks, I had recruiters on speed dial,” he said. “I could tell you about every otolaryngology job opportunity in North America.”

Dr. Raggio’s dream was to raise his 3-year-old and 1-year-old daughters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas, but ultimately was open to other locations. When a recruiter told him a hospitalist-owned otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery group in Montgomery, Ala., was looking to replace a physician who was retiring, he was interested. Being a New Orleans native, he loved the idea of living in a Southern city.

Two weeks after losing the job in Dallas and many virtual interviews later, Dr. Raggio signed a contract for the position in Montgomery, which he said afforded him a more promising opportunity than the position he originally had in Dallas. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Raggio bought a house, enrolled his daughters in school, and moved his family from Canada to Alabama, where he started the new job Aug. 1.

Dr. Raggio recommends that residents start their search early but warns them to be prepared for anything. “Life doesn’t always go as expected. And when it doesn’t, you have to be able to adapt,” he said. “Cast a wide net. Spend a few hours a day contacting recruiters, searching every job search site, and calling resources—anyone you think can help. But above all, stay positive and make the most out of your situation. Things will all work out in the end, perhaps even better than you had originally planned.”

I basically tried to start it all on a very small, five-figure budget. I don’t think it has to be as expensive as one would think. You can use pre-owned equipment and keep personnel costs down initially by doing more yourself. —Samantha J. Hauff, MD

An Early Search Spells Success

Terrell Bibb, MD, chief resident at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, started looking for a job halfway through his third year of residency. That’s much earlier than most residents begin their job search, but he was intent on moving back to West Texas, where he and his wife grew up. “There aren’t many people wanting to go back to that area, so it isn’t competitive, but there also aren’t a whole lot of job opportunities,” he said.

For four months, Dr. Bibb called practices, spoke with recruiters, and searched through job sites. He heard about the best opportunity from a fellow resident, who forwarded him a job listing. He applied and ended up signing a contract in December with a general otolaryngology practice in Wichita Falls, Texas.

“It’s important to reach out to people who aren’t necessarily advertising that they have open positions,” he said. “A lot of it is word of mouth or knowing someone who knows someone.”