Beyond the Call of Duty
Date: April 25, 2011

There is an art to recruiting top quality candidates to the Floyd family that requires finesse, attention to detail and the ability to connect with a potential new hire personally.

We get to know them, and we want them to get to know us. It’s not uncommon for our department to find out favorite foods, ages of children or a candidate’s special interests to help make their Floyd visit memorable.

But a few weeks ago two members of our team went what I consider well beyond the call of duty to help a physician candidate whose visit to Floyd didn’t end so well.

The doctor had driven to Rome from Atlanta to meet with James Coughlin, director of Professional Recruitment and Retention, to talk about an opportunity at Floyd.

James gave the candidate a tour of Rome, showed him around the Floyd campuses and introduced him to physicians and staff members, and he ended the day by taking the visiting doctor to dinner with some of our primary care physicians.

After dinner, the physician candidate headed back to Atlanta, and James headed home, but not for long. James had no sooner settled in when he received a call from our candidate. He had been involved in a serious car wreck in Rome, and James was his only local connection.

The doctor’s car was totaled. He was shaken and in need of a friendly voice. In fact, he called James before calling 911.

James never hesitated. He assured the doctor he would receive great care and promised to meet him in the Emergency Care Center.

James beat the ambulance to the hospital and was waiting when the doctor arrived. He already had taken on the job of patient advocate, doing everything he could for the doctor. He talked to the physicians on duty and stayed at the hospital until our candidate was discharged well after midnight. When he learned the doctor’s cell phone had lost its power, James located a charger. And, when it became apparent that our candidate would not be admitted, James anticipated our physician candidate would need a place to stay and a change of clothes.

James reserved a hotel room for the physician and co-worker Cami Legacy went to a store and purchase clothes for him to wear. Cami, guessing at sizes and thinking proactively, purchased a change of clothes, a toothbrush and toiletries, arranged them in a gift basket and delivered them to the hotel.

It was Cami who said, she and James were ready to do anything it took to take care of him.

In the end, our visiting doctor didn’t need the hotel room and gift basket. With a charged cell phone, he was able to call his sister to drive him home. When he was discharged, this candidate left knowing that Floyd truly cares for people, whatever their need.

And, although he has not yet decided to come and work at Floyd, we did learn last week that he’s still interested in joining our team. I have to believe that is due, at least in part, to James and Cami and their willingness to go beyond the call of duty.

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