Even the best CIOs find themselves unemployed. After being displaced from my 17 year position in 2017 I started my search for my next gig. I found that these firms handle the majority of Healthcare CIO searches:
Rudish Health Solutions [Nancy DeMoss]
Kirby Partners [Judy Kirby]
Witt/Kieffer [Nick Giannas]
Korn Ferry [Doug Greenberg]
B. E. Smith
Additionally, you may want to contact firms that place interim CIOs. During the year it took me to find my next gig I worked as a consultant and an interim CIO. I loved the work and I found it to be adventurous. I also found my permanent role through my interim work.
Starbridge Advisors (good people!) [Sue Schade]
B. E. Smith [Lori Reynolds]
My search experience is that I came very close, without luck, during my 15 month search. Part of success is a numbers game. A lot of it is luck.
Your CIO friends usually have a bunch of stuff happening and could use someone to lead an effort without a lot of direction. So, if you work your network you might find some consulting work while you are waiting for that next gig.
Good luck.