In this episode of Healthy Careers, host Maddie Traylor sits down with Jon Schmidt, Vice President of Operations at Rothman Orthopaedics, to discuss the future of physician recruitment, orthopedic practice growth, and how healthcare organizations can successfully hire and retain top surgical talent in 2026 and beyond. Drawing from his journey as an occupational therapist turned healthcare executive, Jon shares valuable insights into leadership, physician alignment, operational strategy, and the evolving partnership models shaping modern orthopedic care.

Jon breaks down Rothman Orthopaedics’ expansion into Central Florida through its partnership with AdventHealth and explains how the organization has scaled through fellowship-trained surgeon recruitment, culture-focused hiring, academic excellence, and operational innovation. The conversation also explores the growing importance of physician support models, including dedicated clinical assistants, team-based care, and creating sustainable environments that improve both provider satisfaction and patient outcomes.

This episode is essential listening for healthcare executives, orthopedic leaders, physician recruiters, practice administrators, and surgeons looking to better understand the future of private practice partnerships, physician retention, and healthcare operations strategy in a rapidly changing employment market.

Key Takeaways:

• Why culture fit is becoming one of the most important factors in physician recruitment
• How Rothman Orthopaedics approaches fellowship-trained surgeon hiring and retention
• The operational benefits of dedicated clinical assistant models in orthopedic practices
• Differences between PSA models, hospital employment, and private practice structures
• Strategies for scaling orthopedic groups while maintaining physician autonomy
• How healthcare leaders can improve physician satisfaction, communication, and retention
• Why operational alignment and leadership transparency are critical for growth in 2026
• The future of physician recruitment, workforce shortages, and orthopedic expansion strategies

Episode Highlights:

00:39 Meet Jon Schmidt

01:32 From Occupational Therapist to Healthcare Executive

06:57 Why Physicians and Culture Matter in Recruitment

10:30 Rothman Orthopaedics’ Florida Expansion Strategy

13:27 Transitioning to a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) Model

16:24 Fellowship-Trained Recruiting and Subspecialty Alignment

19:27 The Clinical Assistant Model and Operational Efficiency

24:31 Strategic Growth Through Partnerships

29:58 The “Best of Both Worlds” Healthcare Model

35:00 Leadership, Operations, and Organizational Growth

40:58 Building Fairness, Communication, and Strong Workplace Culture

43:30 Final Thoughts and Future Hiring Trends

44:14 FREE: Salary Guide

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Connect with Jon Schmidt:

LinkedIn: Jonathan Schmidt

Visit Rothman Orthopaedics