Beyond the “Partnership Track” and What Physicians Expect Now — A Conversation with Tara Ossek and Matt Phillips

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host and senior editor Daniel Williams sits down with Tara Ossek, Senior Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, and Matt Phillips, Managing Director at City Capital Advisors to examine the growing pressure points reshaping physician partnership models and private practice ownership.Drawing from conversations with physicians and practice leaders across the country, Tara and Matt discuss why recruiting and ownership strategy can no longer happen in separate silos. They break down what today’s physician candidates actually want from partnership, why vague promises around buy-ins and governance are falling flat, and how practices that delay succession and ownership planning risk losing both recruits and long-term stability.Episode takeawaysEarly-career physicians still value partnership, but they evaluate it like a business decision — weighing debt, lifestyle, governance, and risk alongside compensation.Vague language like “great partnership track” no longer resonates; candidates expect specific timelines, costs, expectations, and outcomes.Ownership conversations often happen too late, triggered by looming retirements or recruiting crises rather than proactive planning.Practices can’t maximize retiring partner payouts, keep buy-ins affordable, and reinvest heavily in growth at the same time — trade-offs are unavoidable and must be acknowledged.Confusion arises when practices defer ownership discussions or oversell partnership benefits that don’t align with contract language.Modern ownership structures — including LLCs, MSOs, and hybrid models — offer far more flexibility than traditional models, if practices are willing to reexamine legacy assumptions.A written, transparent FAQ addressing buy-in, timing, economics, governance, and exit scenarios can significantly improve recruiting outcomes.Succession planning and physician leadership development are no longer optional — they are foundational to long-term independence and stability.ResourcesConnect with Tara on LinkedInConnect with Matt on LinkedInJackson Physician Search City Capital Advisors"Is your practice telling the best story it can for physician partner recruitment?" (MGMA Insights Article - RE: Jackson Physician Report) "The significance of the partnership agreement in private practice and trends in medical practice ownership" (MGMA Insights Article)MGMA ConferencesMGMA DataDiveEmail us at [email protected] 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 [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts! Allied Medical Waste is the premier medical waste and document shredding company for medical groups all over the United States. On average, Allied helps medical groups save up to 50% on their monthly costs. Allied is known for their great service and impeccable response times. Reach out today for a free quote! Allied has a special offer for all MGMA members: the first 2 months FREE of charge!Connect with us at [email protected] or call (801) 328-8581.