You Have One Chance to Make a First Impression!

Introduce your new physician to build patient referrals and increase your bottom line.
By: Michelle Hentzell and Jennifer Taggart

You finally have the perfect candidate joining your busy practice. Now, how do you maximize your latest addition to renew interest in your practice and increase patient referrals and walk-ins? The work begins before your new addition arrives. You will need to determine the best way to introduce your new physician to your colleagues, patients and the community. Here are a few tips to help you along:

• If you have a website, add the photo and personal and business profile of your new physician. Be sure and also add your new physician to all of your marketing materials.
• Schedule a social event so that your referring physicians and colleagues can meet your newest addition.
• Schedule an open house at your office and invite your patients and prospective patients.
• Perhaps add office hours at a new location where the new physician can help build your patient base.
• Schedule one-on-one introductions to referring physicians. You can do this by doing office visits and/or scheduling lunches or dinners.
• Run a newspaper add in a local paper announcing that your new doctor has joined the practice.
• Send a letter announcing the addition of your new doctor to other physicians and your patients.
• Create a poster board to place in your reception area with a photo and biographical sketch about your new physician. Be sure to include both a personal and business profile.
• Schedule speaking engagements for your new physician with local business groups and civic organizations.
• Send out a press release about your new physician to local and trade publications.

Promoting a new physician takes a lot of work, but if done right can renew interest in your practice and increase your bottom line.