ACCOUNTABILITY • TRANSPARENCY • DEPENDABILITY • TRUST • SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Academic Search Division

A boutique, high-touch search model with direct senior-level engagement from start to finish.

  • Senior-level engagement throughout the search
  • Transparent, disciplined methodology
  • Curated, deeply vetted candidate slates
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“David King’s decades of experience are clearly reflected in the caliber of his work.”

Peter A. Bell, DO, MBA

Announcing the J.D. Hawkins Academic Search Division

J.D. Hawkins & Associates is proud to introduce its newly established Academic Search Division, created to meet the growing demand for transformative leadership across academic medicine. This dedicated division expands the firm’s longstanding commitment to excellence by offering academic medical centers a boutique, senior consultant model designed specifically for the complexities of academic leadership recruitment.

Why Now?

Academic medicine is undergoing rapid change—shifts in research priorities, evolving clinical demands, heightened competition for funding, and increasing expectations for innovation, diversity, and institutional alignment. These pressures require leaders who can navigate complexity with vision, credibility, and strategic clarity. Our division was created to help institutions secure those leaders.

Built on the Core Values of J.D. Hawkins & Associates

These values shape every engagement, ensuring a concierge‑level experience for clients, candidates, and search committees. Institutions can expect a senior‑consultant model grounded in integrity, clarity, and partnership. Academic institutions nationwide can expect the same personalized, senior recruiter driven approach that has made
J.D. Hawkins & Associates a trusted name in healthcare leadership recruitment.

Why J.D. Hawkins Academic Search

Vice President of Academic Search

Led by David King

The division is led by David King, a nationally recognized expert in academic leadership and faculty recruitment. With more than 40 years of experience, David has helped shape the modern landscape of academic medicine through his strategic insight, disciplined methodology, and unwavering commitment to integrity.

His career includes co‑founding Merritt Hawkins & Associates, co‑authoring the 44 Steps of Physician Recruiting, founding King Search, Inc., and serving as a major contributor to the development of a national academic recruiting initiative at AMN/Merritt Hawkins.

David has successfully recruited senior leaders across the full spectrum of medical education and research, including Deans, Associate and Vice Deans, Department Chairs, Division Directors, Section Chiefs, Cancer Center and Pediatric leaders, and senior faculty at major medical schools and academic health systems.

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J.D. Hawkins Academic Search is a trusted partner.

Our Academic Search Process

This process ensures that every candidate selected is aligned with the institution’s
mission, culture, and long-term strategic goals.

Step 1

Discovery & Position Alignment

– In depth consultation with institutional leadership
– Clarification of mission, culture, strategic priorities, and success metrics

Step 2

National Research & Candidate Identification

– Comprehensive national research capabilities
– Targeted outreach to elite passive candidates
– Engagement with leaders across academic medicine

Step 3

Evaluation & Vetting

– Behavioral and competency-based assessment
– Verification of academic, clinical, and research credentials
– Cultural alignment analysis

Step 4

Search Committee Partnership

– Transparent communication
– Structured candidate presentations
– Guidance through deliberation and selection

Step 5

Finalist Support & Transition

– Assistance with referencing, negotiation, and onboarding
– Continued follow up to ensure long term success
– Ongoing advisory support during leadership integration

Institutions Served

Testimonials

“Partnering with David King on our search for a Family Medicine Program Director was a seamless and highly effective experience. He delivered a strong slate of candidates with impressive speed and discernment, exceeding our expectations. Throughout the process, David demonstrated exceptional professionalism, transparency and integrity. His communication was consistently timely and aligned with our needs. We ultimately selected an outstanding candidate who is thriving in the role.”
404
Sang-ick Chang
Division Chief, Primary Care and Population Health
“Communication was excellent. They kept me on my toes, ensuring our organization was moving as efficiently as possible to ensure the top candidate we targeted would not be lost as a result of delays. They did a good job of understanding our objectives and needs with each recruitment effort, and then procuring candidates who fit the objective. Yes, I would recommend J.D. Hawkins to other healthcare facilities that would benefit from their services.”
407
Shea Soll
System Administrator Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
“Mr. David King has been a pleasure to work with on medical school faculty recruitment. His deep understanding of our institutional needs and his ability to source exceptional candidates has consistently exceeded expectations. His decades of experience are clearly reflected in the caliber of his work.”
402
Peter A. Bell
Vice Provost and Dean

Learn More

We welcome the opportunity to learn about your institution’s needs and explore how our Academic Search Division can support your leadership goals.

To discuss an upcoming search or request a consultation:
J.D. Hawkins & Associates
Academic Search Division

info@jdhteam.com
(833) 534-7327

A senior consultant will respond promptly.

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Speaking with a Consultant about Provider Recruitment

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Speaking with a Recruiter about my job search

Senior Director of Recruiting

Jason Spiece

Jason Spiece brings over 20 years of recruiting and consultant experience to the team. Many of those years are in the healthcare industry working with a variety of levels of professionals from entry-level to executives. He has a passion for physician recruitment, which has been the cornerstone of his career and success in helping families find the right fit nationwide. Jason brings a unique approach to recruitment that starts with listening to the needs and motivations of his candidates to ensure the right match is found for his candidates and clients.

Jason grew up in central Michigan and graduated from the University of Toledo as a scholarship athlete where a strong work ethic helped launch his career in the right path. He is the father of two young daughters and resides in the north Georgia area. He loves the outdoors and takes advantage of a multitude of recreational activities year-round.

DVP of Business Development

Tim Smith

Tim Smith has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience with more than 10 years in the healthcare industry. His knowledge of the industry, enthusiasm for relationship building, and drive to always keep the client his priority, makes him an invaluable asset to our team.

Tim prides himself on consulting and places an emphasis on building long-lasting, professional relationships. Tim excels through one of our JDHA values of Servant Leadership where Tim truly puts the needs of his clients before all else. Establishing a strong rapport with each client and understanding the exact needs of each business relationship is where Tim shines.

Tim relocated to Texas from Chicago in 2007. On his off-time, Tim enjoys sharing time with his wife, their 2 dogs and cat, or catching a sports game. On the weekends, you can often find Tim working on his golf game or coaching Minor League and Arena football in the Dallas area.

Business Administrator

Catherine Bremer

Catherine Bremer is J.D. Hawkins & Associates’ Business Administrator with over 5 years of Operations experience, 3 of which are in the industry. Catherine began her career in Accounting then expanded her knowledge to Payroll, HR, and Business administrative duties just to name a few. Catherine has previously won awards such as the People’s Choice Award and Operations winner for Accountability.

As a Partner of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, Catherine is on board to bring the founders’ visions to life and ensure smooth operations behind-the-scenes while supporting her colleagues on the front lines.

Catherine was born and raised in East Dallas, Texas, and attended Sam Houston State University. Catherine and her husband, Blake, reside in north Dallas with their three children, two dogs, and bearded dragon. On the weekends, you can find the Bremers spending time with family at the lake fishing, swimming, or just hanging out outdoors.

VP of Business Development

Jeremy Schultz

Jeremy Schultz has 20+ years of experience in healthcare. He has a broad national background working with health systems, hospitals, physician practices, federally qualified health centers, behavioral health groups, and government facilities.

As a partner of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, Jeremy brings a proven ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with C-suite decision makers, physician leadership, and industry thought leaders. He is passionate about helping organizations develop and implement effective provider succession, retention, and recruiting protocols that are based on research, market analysis, and a thorough understanding of each client’s unique set of systems and processes.

Jeremy grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. Jeremy and his son live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area where he enjoys supporting his son’s love of playing bass guitar at venues throughout the metroplex.

EXECUTIVE VP OF RECRUITING

Mark Conley

Mark Conley is an executive leader with over 20 years of physician search experience. Mark began his career as a recruiter and was recognized as the National Recruiter of the year in 2001 for Merritt Hawkins, ultimately being honored as a member of the Recruiting Hall of Fame. He also served as a Vice President of Recruiting, leading the Southeast Recruiting team, where he oversaw the completion of hundreds of search projects. Mark is an alumnus of Herman Miller Inc. where he learned a client-centric approach to business.

As a Partner of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, Mark provides advice to clients and providers on topics ranging from structuring compensation packages and physician search process to partnership agreements and physician retention strategies, just to name a few. Mark lives through our values of putting the client’s and provider’s needs first and thus works to consultatively understand any challenges they face and find the best solution to address these challenges.

Mr. Conley was born in and raised in Chicago as well as in Michigan. Mark is a graduate of Alma College and the University of Notre Dame and is an avid fan of all Irish sports teams (Go Irish!). He and his wife, Lisa, have a son and daughter, and live in Forsyth County Georgia. In his free time, Mark is very active with coaching and attending his son’s baseball, football, and basketball games as well as his daughter’s soccer and basketball games.

COO

Jason Reavis

Jason Reavis has been a recruiter and consultant since 2002. He brings a unique perspective gained from his experience in education, serving the social, emotional and mental health needs of students. Having successfully recruited over 100 physicians and advanced practice providers in a variety of settings, Jason brings the energy, knowledge and experience needed to successfully identify and secure the right candidate.

As one of the founders of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, Jason recognizes and appreciates that the role of a recruiter is about building strong and lasting relationships based on trust, integrity and tenacity. He treats every client as if it were his only one and embodies the values we hold dear at JDHA.

Jason grew up in North Carolina, graduated from NC State University and has found himself always pulling for the underdog! His wife, Jennifer, was born and raised in Texas. They have a son and a daughter and recently moved to the Phoenix metro in 2022 after having lived in the Atlanta area for 18 years. On weekends, you can find Jason cheering on his daughter in musical theater and his son in baseball!

CEO

Troy Fowler

Troy Fowler is an executive leader and veteran physician recruiter with over 20 years of physician recruitment experience. Having won many physician “Recruiter of the Year” awards, he is an expert at filling the most difficult searches. Additionally, Mr. Fowler has overseen thousands of client searches, leading sizable teams of recruiters with Merritt Hawkins in the Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast divisions. He has also recruited to every state in the country with the exception of a few states in the Northeast. He will listen, clarify, and then efficiently create a recruitment plan of attack that is NOT one size fits all.

As a co-founder of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, his goal is to get back to “the every search is different, personalized approach that treats clients as partners not a number.” True servant leadership is what JDHA is founded on and will be the reason clients will choose JDHA over and over again.

Mr. Fowler was born in South Carolina and raised in a small town in Iowa. He and his wife Lucy have one son and live in the country just north of Dallas. In his free time, Troy is very active in the CrossFit community.

President Emeritus

John D. Hawkins

Mr. Hawkins has over 30 years’ experience in Healthcare Consulting and Recruiting, and is a nationally recognized leader in Healthcare Staffing. His expertise includes strategic and operational management in Physician Recruiting and Business Development.

For the past 25 years, Mr. Hawkins was a Senior Vice President for Merritt Hawkins, involved in the daily management of Business Development and Recruiting for the Northeast and Southeast regions. He has personally overseen more than 20,000 permanent clinician and executive search assignments nationally.

As co-founder and President Emeritus of J.D. Hawkins & Associates, Mr. Hawkins has been instrumental in developing the mission, vision and culture of the organization. JDHA is founded on the principles of service to others; putting their clients’, providers’ and community’s needs above their own.

Mr. Hawkins was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He served 3 years in the United States Marine Corps and currently resides in Atlanta. Mr. Hawkins and wife Kim have four children.