Article by C. Kay Freeman, President & CEO Health Systems Strategies, Inc. Whatever real or perceived margin for error without consequence in associate physician selection there has been in the past is now gone. Reasons include the indisputable fact that competition for first- and second-tier associates continues to escalate with no end in sight. It is, therefore, a rational conclusion that the options for practices that do not become organized to get associate selection right the first time will be limited and could include arrival at a destination not envisioned. This article addresses practice dynamics that trigger adverse associate selection and presents creative selection tactics—to get it right the first time.