Today, in the forever advancing healthcare industry, Tracey Hudson stands out as a symbol of leadership and compassion. As a prominent figure in medical and general recruitment, Tracey’s journey reflects her steady dedication and heartfelt commitment to serving others.
At Pro Talent Specialist Recruitment, Tracey leads with a mission rooted in the belief of “Heart for People.” Her role isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about forging connections and making a difference in communities, especially those underserved in rural areas.
In our special edition of Beyond Boundaries – Women Leading the Revolution in Healthcare, we delve into Tracey’s inspiring story. From her early days to her current position as a leader in healthcare recruitment, Tracey’s impact reverberates throughout the industry.
In the following interview, let’s explore Tracey’s journey and the profound influence of women like her in shaping the future of healthcare recruitment!
Tracey, please give an overview of your professional journey. What inspired you to pursue a career in medical and general recruitment?
With a Bachelor of Social Science Degree with Honours, I ventured into healthcare in the early 1990s, driven by a passion for aiding rural communities struggling with limited healthcare access. My journey began with HIV/AIDS education and quickly evolved into medical recruitment, curriculum development, and project management spanning both public and private sectors.
In 2005, my encounter with Prof. Steve Reid (Professor of Primary Health Care, SA) led to the founding of Africa Health Placements (AHP), an NGO aimed at addressing the critical shortage of doctors in rural South African hospitals. Over the years, AHP facilitated the placement of 4000 foreign qualified doctors, significantly impacting healthcare delivery to millions of underserved patients.
Our collaboration with Global Health Fellowship (GHF) leaders, including a meeting with Lord Nigel Crisp (Member of the House of Lords and Chief Executive of NHS England) in 2007, led to the establishment of the Global Health Fellowship program in 2009. This initiative allowed UK doctors to gain valuable experience by serving in underserved countries like South Africa.
Though AHP closed in 2020, the legacy continues through Pro Talent, which now oversees the UK GHF program, ensuring the ongoing support of rural healthcare initiatives.
Brief our readers about Pro Talent Specialist Recruitment. What are the mission and vision statements that guide the company’s operations in the healthcare sector?
Pro Talent is a specialist recruitment agency. It is the sister company of the multi-award-winning recruitment agency, Pro Appointments, that has been in existence since 1994. Pro Talent focuses on offering a specialist recruitment service to assist companies to source scarce skills and talent. Each recruiter works in a specialist area, with excellent skills and in-depth knowledge.
Welcome to Pro Talent. I respect Cindy and her business acumen combined with her servant heart for the underprivileged. Cindy adds credibility to your ideas and a platform to thrive. I met with her early 2020 and explained that AHP was closing. She listened and then said, “you see that desk? Sit down and start work again and run our Medical Recruitment and continue to recruit doctors to South Africa”.
Can you tell us about your role at Pro Talent Specialist Recruitment?
I head up Medical Recruitment so am the first point of call for medical specs. I train others in the team to recruit into medical posts as some posts involve specialist skills and we search for these highly scarce resources. We work with Hospitals and Health Clinics.
We are a unique agency as we have an outward focus as our CEO runs the Robin Hood Foundation. Our focus is also “Heart for People”. To this end, placing foreign qualified doctors into volunteer programs is our unique program in Africa. Through this program I work to my strengths and knowledge in the field. Since 2020 have placed 180 volunteer doctors and numerous other health care professionals.
As a woman leading in healthcare recruitment, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them to reach where you are today?
I believe in delivering excellence. If you are going to do it, do it well. To this end I drive myself personally and professionally. As a mother I also want to serve my family. I find my work life balance often gets out of sync. I overcome by communicating expectations with Cindy and my family. She motivates me to focus on what drives me to success. My personal mission is Health for Africa: Powered by people and to this end I work to my strengths. This being my 20 years of knowledge and understanding of this industry. Cindy reminds me to enjoy the journey even in the tough times. I love my work and love my family and have managed to get this balance right thought good communication and time management.
What are the key qualities or skills that you believe are essential for success in the field of medical recruitment, especially in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape?
Understand your client and what they are looking for. When recruiting volunteers’ doctors, we know what our hospitals require to support their teams. Even though they are volunteers they need to be useful members of the medical team. For example, it is no use to recruit a Surgeon for a primary health clinic where they do no surgical procedures. Understanding the volunteer doctors is essential so they will enhance their clinical experience and support the clinical team.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the healthcare industry to better serve your clients?
I continually research anything I am not sure of. I attend relevant conferences to keep learning, make comprehensive notes and ask leading questions to make sure in understand and keep abreast of changes by talking to relevant leaders to understand evolving developments. This helps me prepare for changes. Nothing is as more “constant than change” in the regulations of the Health Care Industry. I foster good relationships so I can pick up the phone and talk to my candidates and clients when I need help. Many nurses and doctors I placed are now leaders in their field and happy to support us.
What advice would you give to individuals looking to start a career in medical recruitment or those aiming to advance their careers in this field?
To specialize in this industry involves understanding each cadre of deployment. Learn what patients they see, procedures they do, what conditions they treat and what they study to qualify in their specific specialization.
Try and spend time in a hospital and understand what is involved in each of their jobs. In some rural hospitals I was permitted to scrub up and go into the theatre and observe. In most hospitals I can visit and be part of a ward round to understand the types of patients they treat.
When interviewing candidates ask leading questions to understand what their job entails and what they love about their job.
What are your aspirations for the future of Pro Talent Specialist Recruitment, especially in empowering women leaders within the healthcare recruitment landscape?
We have rural hospitals calling us and asking us to recruit volunteers for them, so we are growing this. We want to let the world know that if qualified doctors wish to volunteer in Africa, we are the people to speak to. I enjoy mentoring other recruiters who find this area interesting. Medical Recruitment speaks to the nurturing side of women. You are placing qualified professionals in roles where they will make a significant difference to the lives of their patients.
Noteworthy Feedback
Volunteering in Uganda is an underwhelming used opportunity that is absolutely Incredible.
It’s been a fantastic experience, emotionally challenging at times but eye-opening, educational and rewarding. This time has given me improved confidence in my decision making and leadership skills. It is a great opportunity to do something different with your medical training and would recommend it to anyone.” – Dr Beth Brigham, UK Global Health Fellow.
Key Milestone: Winning RuDASA Award
“In 2008, I achieved a significant milestone in my career by winning the Rural Doctors’ Association of Southern Africa (RuDASA) award. The award was bestowed to recognize my substantial contribution to rural healthcare through innovative recruitment strategies. This accolade from RuDASA, an organization renowned for its discerning selection of top clinicians, underscored the vital importance of recruiting competent professionals for the success of rural hospitals. It was a pivotal moment for me, solidifying my passion and dedication to healthcare recruitment. This recognition serves as a constant reminder of my calling and motivates me to stay focused on leveraging my expertise in this field. It reaffirms that this is where my strengths lie and where I can make the most difference.” – Tracey Hudson
