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From Stabilization to Scale: Placing a Growth-Ready COO for a Physician-Led Healthcare Group
Company Background
Florida Digestive is a physician-owned and operated gastroenterology group with 22 locations across Florida. The organization has several service lines, including surgery centers, anesthesia services, pathology, infusion therapy, and a nutrition program. A board of physicians governs the company, electing one member to serve as the active CEO.
THE CHALLENGE
The Leadership Transition
The outgoing COO had successfully stabilized the organization during a two-year tenure. After resigning to move closer to family, the company needed a growth-oriented operational leader to take the organization into its next phase. The mandate was not revenue stabilization, but expansion: adding service lines, scaling operations, and growing locations. The organization required a hands-on operator with experience scaling multi-location, physician-owned practices.
The search was time-sensitive. The outgoing COO had a fixed departure date, and the CEO, a practicing physician, needed to balance patient care with executive responsibilities. Leaving the role vacant posed material operational risk.
Why Cowen Partners Executive Search
After successfully placing their CFO six months earlier, Florida Digestive returned directly to Cowen Partners Executive Search to lead the COO search, trusting us to deliver a leader capable of driving long-term growth.
OUR APPROACH
Strategic Partnership & Discovery
We conducted a deep discovery process to align on culture, governance, and growth objectives. Together with leadership, we refined the role profile to target a COO with significant multi-location healthcare operating experience, particularly scaling and acquiring physician-owned clinics.
Search Strategy & Geographic Expansion
We were engaged to acquire a COO from another multi-location, 60+ physician clinic with demonstrated scaling and M&A experience.
The search began locally and regionally. After exhausting the local market, we expanded nationally while prioritizing candidates with existing ties to the area, including friends or family connections. This strategic adjustment led directly to a successful outcome, and the search was promptly completed.
THE OUTCOME
The Right Leader at the Right Time
Cowen Partners Executive Search successfully placed a seasoned healthcare operator with deep experience in multi-site growth, physician practice expansion, and complex integrations. The selected leader brought extensive operational discipline, experience adding service lines, and a proven ability to scale physician-owned organizations while aligning with governance structures.
The candidate’s personal connection to the region resolved geographic challenges and ensured long-term commitment.
Managing a Complex Transition
We remained actively engaged throughout the transition period, supporting onboarding and relocation to ensure continuity of operations and a seamless leadership handoff.
KEY METRICS & SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
- Time to Offer: 3 months
- Total Timeline: 6 months from engagement to start
- Primary Challenge: Limited local talent pool for a growth-focused physician practice COO
- Special Handling: National search with emphasis on regional ties
SUCCESS FACTORS
Trust Built Through Prior Performance
This engagement reflected an established partnership built on successful prior executive placements and a deep understanding of physician-owned healthcare organizations.
Strategic Flexibility
Adapting the search strategy beyond local constraints was critical to identifying a qualified growth-oriented operator.
End-to-End Partnership
Our involvement extended beyond offer acceptance through transition and onboarding, reinforcing long-term value rather than transactional placement.
Final Thoughts
This case study demonstrates Cowen Partners Executive Search’s ability to deliver transformational healthcare leadership by aligning strategy, governance, and operational expertise. Through disciplined search execution and strategic flexibility, we successfully placed a COO positioned to lead Florida Digestive’s next phase of growth.
Most importantly, this engagement reinforces that executive search is not about filling roles, but about placing leaders who can scale organizations, navigate complexity, and earn the confidence of physician boards over the long term.
If your organization is ready to overcome similar challenges and find the right executive to unlock growth, partner with Cowen Partners Executive Search to secure the leadership your business needs.
About Cowen Partners Executive Search
Cowen Partners Executive Search is a premier executive search firm in all 50 states, dedicated to connecting organizations with top-tier talent that drives strategic objectives and fuels success.
Our executive recruiters specialize in C-Suite, board, and senior leadership placements, providing unparalleled access to the top 1% of leaders across diverse industries.
Our proven processes and guaranteed results have empowered hundreds of clients in sectors including manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, and private equity to build winning teams. Partner with us to find world-class leaders who will accelerate your company’s growth and success.
To learn more about how Cowen Partners Executive Search can support your organization’s executive search needs, explore the resources below or contact us today.
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