A Legacy of Leadership in Academic Medicine Recruitment

Share this story

A Legacy of Leadership in Academic Medicine Recruitment

22 May, 2025
Thirteen years ago, on May 22, 2012, Academic Med was founded with a bold vision: to become the premier executive search and physician recruitment firm dedicated exclusively to Academic Medicine. Since then, we have helped the world’s leading medical schools, hospitals, and health systems recruit top-tier physicians, scientists, and executives—driving innovation in patient care, medical education, and groundbreaking research.As we celebrate this Founder’s Day, we reflect on the milestones we’ve reached, the partnerships we’ve built, and the leaders who have shaped our success.

The Visionaries Behind Academic Med

 

Gentry Zacheis – President, CEO & Co-Founder

 

Gentry Zacheis is a dynamic leader with expertise in marketing, strategic sales, and management consulting, His deep understanding of academic medicine has positioned Academic Med as a trusted partner for Health System CEOs, Medical School Deans, and Department Chairs.

Gentry specializes in:

 

  • Building world-class Centers of Excellence (COE) in neurology, oncology, stem-cell research, and precision medicine.
  • Recruiting physician-scientists and executives for R1 research institutions and top-tier academic medical centers.
  • Strategic talent solutions for Tulane, UPMC, University of Minnesota, UAB, and more.

His work has directly impacted advancements in:

 

  • Neurology & Neuroscience (Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Pediatric Neurology)
  • Cancer Research & Precision Medicine (Genomics, Biomedical Informatics)
  • Regenerative Medicine & Stem-Cell Therapies

Hagood – Managing Director & Co-Founder

 

With over 30 years of experience in executive sales and physician recruitment, Jim Hagood is a cornerstone of Academic Med’s success. His mission is to help academic medical centers and universities attract the best talent for their clinical, research, and leadership programs.

Jim’s strengths include:

 

  • Extensive industry network and deep relationships with department chairs, deans, and healthcare executives.
  • Mentorship and advisory expertise, guiding institutions in long-term faculty and leadership recruitment.
  • A passion for advancing academic medicine, ensuring the next generation of physicians and researchers thrive.

Together, Gentry and Jim have built a recruitment firm that doesn’t just fill positions—it transforms institutions.

 

Our Impact: Connecting Talent with Opportunity

 

Academic Med has successfully partnered with elite institutions, including:

 

  • Tulane University School of Medicine
  • University of Minnesota Medical School
  • UPMC
  • University of Florida Health System
  • University of Kentucky College of Medicine
  • UAB Health System

 

Our Core Recruitment Services

We specialize in retained executive search and strategic recruitment solutions, including:

 

 Physician & Scientist Recruitment

 

  • Department Chairs, Division Chiefs, and Faculty Physicians
  • Basic Science & Translational Researchers
  • Clinical Trial Leaders & NIH-Funded Investigators

 Healthcare Executive Search

 

  • CMOs, COOs, Deans, and VP-level Leaders
  • Hospital & Health-System Administrators

 Specialized Expertise in High-Demand Fields

 

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery (Stroke, Epilepsy, Movement Disorders)
  • Oncology & Precision Medicine (Genomics, Immunotherapy)
  • Pediatrics & Rare-Disease Specialists
  • Ophthalmology & Regenerative Medicine

Looking Ahead: The Future of Academic Medicine

As we celebrate 13 years of excellence, we remain committed to:

 

  • Elevating academic medicine through strategic talent acquisition.
  • Fostering long-term partnerships with leading institutions.
  • Driving innovation in patient care, research, and medical education.

To our clients, candidates, and team members—thank you for being part of our journey. Together we embark on the next decade of transforming academic medicine, one placement at a time.

 

Partner with Academic Med

 

Discover how we can help you build a world-class academic medical team.

Contact Us Today

Recruit Top Candidates

Contact us to discuss your organization's recruitment needs and objectives

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Back to Top