Physician profile: Joseph Cheatle, M.D.

WORK: Neurosurgeon in practice since 2014

EMPLOYER: Grand Strand Spine & Neuro Care, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

RESIDENCY: Neurological Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center

MED SCHOOL: University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2008

Cheatle enjoys outdoor activities, hiking, running, swimming and spending time with his wife, Jenny, and their young children, Jack and Scarlett.

What surprised you about your first post-residency job search?

I was most surprised at the length of time each step took. In general, it is a good idea to start all paperwork as soon as possible. It can take months to work through bureaucracies at hospitals and through state licensing agencies. The folks at PracticeLink called me and ensured I knew about the requirements for licensing and to start the paperwork early. They were very helpful.

What’s your advice for residents?

The interview is huge for meeting your potential partners—the people you are going to be working with for potentially the next few decades. They cover your patients on call. You want your partners to be collegial and willing to collaborate and be of assistance when you need it. If you pick a practice where you like your partners, you are much more likely to stay.

What was the most important factor in your physician job search?

When push came to shove, ultimately I had to choose somewhere I would be able to practice successfully and my wife and family are happy.

I found the job I ultimately accepted through a PracticeLink email. I got connected to the in-house recruiter for the job through the PracticeLink website.

How did PracticeLink help you in your physician job search?

PracticeLink was wonderful about updating me about new opportunities as they became available via email and let me customize my job search easily on the website. They even included my wife in the job-search process.

PracticeLink was not only helpful in listing so many opportunities in one convenient location, but they also helped guide me through the licensure and credentialing process early on.

I still read PracticeLink Magazine to keep up to date about the business side of medicine.