We are not generalists. We are a specialized search firm built on the belief that in the nuanced worlds of Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Aesthetics, who you know matters less than what you understand.
Sierra Health Search Partners was born from a glaring gap in the market.
As the Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Aesthetics sectors began to
consolidate and professionalize, the recruitment industry failed to keep
up. Generalist firms were attempting to place hospital administrators into
private equity-backed platforms, or corporate executives into family-run
practices. The result was often a "skills match" but a "culture clash."
We set out to change that standard.
We believe that a resume tells you what a candidate has done, but it
doesn't tell you how they will lead. That is why our process is built on
deep listening. Before we launch a search, we don't just read a job
description; we diagnose the ecosystem. We listen to the investors to
understand the exit strategy, and we listen to the physicians to
understand the clinical legacy. By sitting at the intersection of these two
worlds, we translate business goals into human capital solutions.
We made a strategic choice to stay in our lane. We do not recruit for hospital systems, acute care, or broad medical groups. We are exclusively dedicated to:
This singular focus allows us to move with speed and precision. We understand the specific economic drivers of these verticals—from ASC reimbursement models to the retail dynamics of cosmetic medicine. When you work with Sierra, you don't have to explain your business model to your recruiter. We already know it.
The methodology that drives Sierra Health Search Partners was forged over
nearly two decades of high-stakes recruitment and industry consulting.
The firm is led by Michael J. Foote, a veteran of the healthcare human capital
space with a track record that mirrors the journey of many of our clients.
Born in Sydney, Australia, and raised in Squaw Valley, CA, Mike has spent 16
years in executive search. However, his deep roots in our specific niches were
established during his tenure at BSM Consulting, one of the nation's premier
healthcare consulting firms.
At BSM, Michael built the executive search function from the ground up, serving
as a strategic advisor to physician owners and private equity groups alike. He
lived through the full investment lifecycle, playing a key role in the firm’s growth
leading up to its successful acquisition by VMG Health in 2023.
This experience gave Michael—and by extension, Sierra Health Search
Partners—a unique vantage point. He understands the pressure of a "liquidity
event" because he has been through one. He understands the complexities of
integrating diverse cultures because he has managed them.
Today, Michael channels that experience into every search Sierra conducts. He
partners closely with Physician Owners, CEOs, and Investors, ensuring that
every placement is not just a hire, but a strategic step toward the organization’s
long-term vision.
Whether you are a founder looking for your first CEO, or an investor building a national platform, we invite you to experience a search process built on understanding, integrity, and results.
Meet the Rest of the Team
Michael is more than a headhunter; he is a strategic advisor to the nation's most
active healthcare investors. Michael has spent 16 years in recruitment, but his
defining edge is his last eight years deeply embedded in the Ophthalmology,
Dermatology, and Aesthetics verticals.
Before founding Sierra, Michael built the executive search function at BSM
Consulting, playing a key role in the firm’s growth leading up to its acquisition by
VMG Health in 2023. He has sat on the same side of the table as many of his
clients, understanding the pressure to build value leading up to a liquidity event.
Today, Michael partners exclusively with Physician Owners, CEOs, and Private
Equity sponsors. He doesn’t just match resumes to job descriptions; he aligns
leadership styles with the specific "hold period" objectives of the investor,
ensuring every placement moves the needle on EBITDA.
Laura offers clients a perspective that most external recruiters cannot: she has
been in your shoes.
For over a decade, Laura operated inside rapidly scaling, private equity-backed
healthcare MSOs within the veterinary sector—the industry that pioneered the
consolidation model now reshaping human healthcare. She understands the
unique pressure of balancing aggressive growth targets with clinical quality.
Unlike generalist recruiters, Laura recruits with a deep understanding of
EBITDA and operational margins. She knows that a "bad hire" isn't just a
cultural headache; it is a direct hit to the bottom line.
Her expertise lies in the trenches of clinical and operational recruitment. She
specializes in partnering with physician owners who have recently sold to
Private Equity and are navigating the volatile "post-transaction" landscape.
Laura acts as a stabilizer during this critical phase, helping founders recruit the
professional leadership needed to bridge the gap between their legacy culture
and their new corporate requirements.
Originally from New England, Laura gained valuable West Coast market
experience during her time in Southern California before making her home in
North Carolina. Her national footprint allows her to advise clients across the
country, bringing an insider’s playbook to every search.
Michael and Laura combine high-level strategic advisory with operational execution. Whether you need to replace a CEO or build an entire regional management layer, our team operates as one unit to ensure your search is calibrated, confidential, and closed on time
See Our Search MethodologyAt Sierra Health Search Partners, we view recruitment as a precision-based operation rather than a volume game. We employ a disciplined, seven-step search protocol designed to minimize risk and maximize alignment with your strategic objectives. From the initial strategic calibration to the final signature, we act as a seamless extension of your leadership team.