We’re in this with you.

Now more than ever, physicians need an advocate in the placement process.

A few years ago, a frustrated Emergency Medicine Resident sought our advice navigating what had become a cumbersome recruitment process. After working together, he stated, “You ought to consider representing physicians - kind of like a sports agent.”

In that moment, we realized the meaningful change we could make for so many physicians. As the healthcare industry has undergone significant consolidation and corporatization, the need for an agent to represent physicians in the placement process has never been greater.

Our Team

Jesse O. Weatherly (“Jay”)

Principal/Co-Founder

Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, he attended the University of Alabama, and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Health Care Management in 1978. Jay attended graduate school at The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) and successfully completed the two-year program in 1980, with a M.S. in Hospital Administration.

Prior to co-founding Salient MD, Jay worked for a total of 24 years with two health care organizations; Regional Health Corporation (Anniston, Al) and the Baptist Health System (Birmingham, Al). His most recent professional experience prior to co-founding Salient was thirteen years of service as the Chief Executive Officer of Cullman Regional Medical Center (CRMC), a facility affiliated with the Baptist Health System. During his tenure at CRMC, Jay oversaw the development of a replacement facility, the recruitment of in excess of forty new physicians to the medical community, and the development of several new clinical services in cooperation with the medical staff.

Jay presently resides in Cullman, AL and has been married to the former Sharon Bowen since 1981.

Stephen C. Nyquist (“Steve”)

Principal/Co-Founder

Born in Los Angeles, he also lived in Atlanta for five years before spending his teen years in Western Europe. Steve graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN in 1982 with a B.A. in Political Science. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1990 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the northern Chicago suburb of Deerfield, IL.

Prior to co-founding Salient MD, Steve worked for CashRetriever Systems, Inc (CSI), a national revenue cycle software development and services company, based in Birmingham, AL. CSI developed tools and training for hospitals to follow up on outstanding insurance and private pay accounts. During his years with CSI, Steve became their Vice President of Business Development.

Steve lives in Cullman, AL, and has been married to Kristi since 1983. They have four grown children (James, John, Cooper and Katherine), and one grandson (Brooks).

Cooper Nyquist

Financial Analyst

Cooper Nyquist was born and raised in Cullman, AL. He attended the University of Alabama, and graduated in 2014 with a B.S. Degree in Political Science. Cooper has worked with Salient MD since his graduation, and serves as the Financial Analyst for our various revenue cycle related activities. Cooper loves music, and sports in every dimension!

John Nyquist

Business Development

John was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Cullman, Al. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated in 2011 with a Degree in Healthcare Management. John has extensive healthcare administrative experience with various healthcare enterprises. For the past six years John gained invaluable exposure to the healthcare recruiting industry and brings that expertise and related giftedness to Salient MD Agency. John’s focus is on developing relationships with physicians and representing them throughout the placement process. He is married to Audrey Nyquist who is a bilingual speech language pathologist and has three sons: Pryor, Jack, and Paul.