A Fresh Take on Faculty Recruitment

The field of anesthesiology has not been immune to the challenges brought on by the national shortage of physicians. As a result, academic medical centers across the country continue to struggle to fill their open faculty positions. Although the situation has been less than optimal, it has given our department a chance to take another look at the structure of recruitment and improve upon the process.

For these reasons, two positions were created in 2022 to focus on personalizing the recruitment experience, highlighting our program, showcasing our city, and further encouraging internal growth.

Matthew Sherrer, M.D., MBA, FASA, FAACD, has taken the role of director of faculty recruitment and now leads the revisions to recruitment operations. Born and raised in Birmingham, Sherrer provides a unique perspective to potential recruits. He has sought to add structure where there wasn’t any in the past and showcases not only what the UAB anesthesia program has to offer, but also highlights the city and its surrounding communities. “We try to make it a more personal experience. That’s been the goal from the beginning,” he says.

Lynn Shanks, the newly appointed program manager for faculty recruitment, works closely with Sherrer to curate the best experiences for potential new hires coming in from across the country. “Birmingham is easy to sell. I think everyone who lives here really loves it,” she says. Shanks has been an essential piece in the restoration of our recruitment process. Having been with UAB for nearly 20 years, she knows the ins and outs of the university as well as the faculty and staff within the department and beyond.

The faculty recruitment process, while successful, is still in development and will never stop striving for improvement. “There’s a shortage of anesthesiologists across the country. Despite that, we’ve been very lucky to be able to fill all of our positions,” says Sherrer. “Wherever you come from, you can find your niche here.”