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CEO search committee outlines nationwide search, considers using incumbent search firm to speed process
Summary
The board’s CEO search committee recommended engaging AMN (formerly B.E. Smith) to conduct a nationwide search and signaled it will negotiate cost; committee estimated about six months to place a permanent CEO if it proceeds with the firm, and four additional months would be required for a public RFP process.
The Nashville General Hospital CEO search committee reported April 24 that it intends to run a nationwide search for a permanent chief executive and recommended engaging an executive search firm with experience in health care placements.
At the committee’s first meeting April 11, members heard from AMN (formerly B.E. Smith), a search firm the hospital has used in prior executive searches. Committee members said AMN demonstrated familiarity with the hospital and that using an incumbent vendor could shorten the procurement timeline compared with issuing a new public request for proposals. The committee’s preliminary estimate—based on AMN’s description of timelines—was roughly six months from contract start to a candidate in office if AMN is engaged. A full public RFP process to select another firm was described as likely to add about four months.
Why it matters: The choice of search method affects how quickly the hospital will have a permanent CEO and how much staff time and financial resources the search will consume. Committee members emphasized the need for broad stakeholder engagement—board members, medical staff, hospital employees, Meharry Medical College, local government and community leaders—to inform the position profile.
Board and committee discussion: Committee members said AMN has worked with the hospital in the past and understands its mission; the committee requested staff to negotiate pricing and contract structure. Some board members expressed a desire to compress the timeline where possible; others emphasized the importance of comprehensive community input. Metro procurement rules were discussed; staff noted that if the board elects to solicit other firms through a public procurement it would trigger the Metro RFP process and extend the timeline.
Next steps: The committee plans to decide at its April 30 meeting whether to engage AMN or pursue a new RFP, to negotiate terms if AMN is chosen, and to bring any contract to the full board for approval. The committee also plans frequent meetings (every two weeks) for the search process and expects the search firm to assist with stakeholder identification and outreach.
Quotation: “In order to cast the widest net, we think that that is appropriate,” David Esquivel, chair of the search committee, said when explaining why a national search is likely. “We will benefit from involving people in this decision,” he added when describing stakeholder outreach.
The board did not take a final vendor vote on April 24; contract approval will be required at a future meeting.
