Ways To Expand Your Healthcare Network Effectively

Meaningful partnerships are important to me. Lately, a significant portion of my work has involved connecting professionals in the healthcare innovation sector. My trip to Dallas last week started with organic introductions I made in 2024. Some may view making business introductions as a simple and quick process. The process takes time, and time has a cost. In healthcare, innovation doesn’t thrive in isolation; it takes the right connections to move ideas forward. But real impact happens when we prioritize relational partnerships over transactional exchanges. It’s about building trust, fostering mutual respect, and creating opportunities that solve real problems. Here are my thoughts on how to make meaningful introductions: ✅ Lead with Value, Not Ego. Don’t focus on what’s in it for you. Prioritize how both sides benefit from the introduction. Relationships built on genuine value last longer and go further. ✅ Know the Gaps Before You Fill Them. Understand the pain points of both parties. High-impact connections happen when you address a critical need or opportunity. ✅ Vet Ruthlessly, Introduce Thoughtfully. Not every connection is worth making. Be selective and introduce only when there’s a clear alignment of values, goals, and capabilities. Protect the integrity of your network. ✅ Do Your Homework. Before making an introduction, ensure you have a thorough understanding of both parties to effectively explain why the connection is significant. ✅ Frame the Introduction with Context. Set the stage. Provide both parties with sufficient background information to understand the relevance and potential of the relationship. Clarity upfront fosters respect and avoids wasted time. ✅ Stay in the Loop (But Don’t Hover). Follow up to see if the introduction was valuable, but don’t micromanage the outcome. Relationships that thrive are built on trust, not control. ✅ Be a Problem Solver, Not Just a Connector. Your role doesn’t end with the introduction. Be available to offer insights or guidance if needed as the relationship develops. ✅ Protect Your Network’s Trust. Introduce only when it makes sense. One mismatched connection can erode trust and weaken your credibility. Guard your network’s reputation as carefully as your own. ✅ Build for the Long Game. Relational partnerships aren’t built overnight. Consistently show up, add value, and nurture trust over time. Sustainable impact comes from authentic, long-term connections. ✅ Celebrate the Wins. When a connection you made leads to something great, acknowledge it. Recognize the impact and reinforce the power of trusted relationships. Relational partnerships move healthcare forward. When trust and respect are the foundation, introductions become catalysts for real change. If you’re serious about advancing innovation, be intentional with your connections. It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality, trust, and lasting impact. 🔥 #healthcareonlinkedin #partnerships #innovation #sme

Please STOP relying solely on job boards to advance your clinical research career. I see too many clinical researchers applying to dozens of roles online without networking, which often leads to frustration and missed opportunities. Yet, they’re still repeating the cycle of applying and waiting for a response. If you’re already actively seeking new opportunities, try this instead: 1️⃣ Engage with clinical research professionals on LinkedIn. Comment on their posts, share insights, and start meaningful conversations. 2️⃣ Join structured networking groups like the Clinical Research Referral Club to connect with peers and mentors who can refer you to opportunities. 3️⃣ Attend industry webinars and events to meet people and stay updated on trends. 4️⃣ Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your unique skills and experiences, making it easier for recruiters and peers to find you. For example, instead of sending 20 generic job applications, spend an hour building relationships with employees at companies you're interested in. A personal connection often opens doors that job boards can't. You’ll achieve career growth much faster by focusing on building relationships and visibility rather than relying solely on online applications. Try this approach for the next 30 days and see the difference it makes. What’s your biggest challenge with networking in clinical research? Let’s talk in the comments!

A question I've got repeatedly lately is, "How do you recommend building a network in healthcare" and part of the follow-up to that question is usually, "what events do you recommend I attend"? It's probably easier to write it and send people this link than it is to repeat it each time. We also sell a "Must Have Guide" that outlines people to follow, networking advice, and events to attend for $9 but I've given it away so many times for free that Antwan D. Williams has given up on telling me to stop doing that 🤣 So here goes, free. The thought process: If you are a hospital administrator, going to a hospital administrator professional association event is probably a really hard place to stand out, especially if there's a lot of attendees. Chances are you all have to dress similarly, and you'll run in to all sorts of people who either have your same job or who are competing with you for the job you want. Not the ideal setup. My 2024 and 2025 advice is to: Go to an event where healthcare isn't the only thing on the agenda, but where there will be healthcare people. SXSW is on my list. It was the first event I went to outside of the true healthcare realm and truly changed the trajectory of my career. It's 100,000 people big (all across the city of Austin, TX across 100+ venues). There's probably 1,000 healthcare people. So, when you meet them, it feels like kindred spirits. They're excited to see you and excited you made the trek across town from the main stage performances to the smaller healthcare floor in one hotel. Your odds of spending quality time with people doing interesting things in healthcare are greatly increased. My 2nd recommendation is international. Upcoming events include MedTech World in Malta in November ( 👋 Dylan Attard MD, MRCSI, MEnt., HealthTech Forward in Barcelona in December (Barcelona Health Hub), London Tech Week in June 2025 (Amber Preston) and HLTH Europe (Henry Stoneley) June 2025 in Amsterdam. Planning ahead, you can spend the same amount on the experience as you would going to Tennessee but you get the added benefit of being a relatively small group within a larger group. There's incredible US leaders (if that's where you want your career to be) that go to these events (you can see on the speaker list or on the LinkedIn posts with the event hashtag) that will be overjoyed to talk to you about how good a chocolate shake from Shake Shack really is, or why Jimmy Johns can deliver food actually freaky fast. You'll stand out, your network will grow, and you'll expand your worldview (or your healthcare ecosystem view if you stay in the states). Free advice, usually around $8 not including taxes. Take that for what it's worth. And, tell me where you're going! 🛫

I sat across from a colleague who was on the verge of giving up on medicine. A brilliant mind, yet he felt trapped. What changed his path? Networking. Here’s how you can harness the power of networking to pivot your career in medicine. Whether you're an earlycareer physician or a seasoned practitioner, networking can redefine your trajectory. Think of it as building a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Here are actionable steps to leverage networking: ✅ Start with your current network. → Reach out to mentors, colleagues, and even patients. ↳ You never know who might have the connection you need. ✅ Attend medical conferences and seminars. → Not just for learning, but also for meeting likeminded professionals. ↳ Use these events as opportunities to discuss your goals and aspirations. ✅ Join professional organizations. → Become active in groups like the American Medical Association or specialtyspecific societies. ↳ These groups often have career resources and networking events. ✅ Utilize social media platforms. → LinkedIn isn't just for corporate professionals. ↳ Engage in discussions, post your insights, and connect with peers globally. ✅ Seek informational interviews. → Identify and reach out to physicians who have made similar career changes. ↳ Learn from their journeys and ask for advice. ✅ Offer value before asking for help. → Share your knowledge, offer to help with projects, and be a resource. ↳ Relationships are reciprocal, and giving first often leads to receiving. Remember, a single conversation can open doors to new opportunities. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards. It’s about building meaningful relationships that can guide you to your next career milestone. Start today. Who will you reach out to first? 🔔 Follow me, Dr. Heath Jolliff, for more tips ♻️ Share with your network to help them