The Locumstory Podcast | Locum Tenens Insights from Real-Life Physicians, PAs, and NPs

Locumstory
  • 5.0 (17)
  • MEDICINE
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At Locumstory we share the stories of locums. What's a locum? Locum tenens are physicians, PAs, and NPs that work temporary jobs around the country and the world. These unique healthcare providers choose to work this way for a variety of reasons, from flexibility and work-life balance, to making extra money and traveling. Each has a unique story to share. Learn more at locumstory.com.

  1. Ep. 76: Dr. Mark Pool’s journey into locum tenens, entrepreneurship, and balancing medicine with family life

    17H AGO

    Ep. 76: Dr. Mark Pool’s journey into locum tenens, entrepreneurship, and balancing medicine with family life

    Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. J. Mark Pool joins us to share how he rebuilt his career after stepping away from a long‑time W‑2 role and discovering locum tenens in 2023. After more than a decade of Q2 call, building service lines, and carrying a demanding surgical workload, Dr. Pool found himself burned out, navigating administrative conflict, and unsure of what came next. A three‑month sabbatical — and a well‑timed phone call — opened the door to a completely new way of practicing medicine. Dr. Pool walks through how he went from skepticism about locums to securing his first assignment in just a few weeks, thanks to the IMLC and expedited credentialing. He shares what it’s been like to work across 17 different programs, how he juggles multiple assignments at once, and why the flexibility to protect family time has been life‑changing. Dr. Pool also dives into the leadership lessons he never received in training but now considers essential. He explains how pursuing an MBA and a PhD in leadership transformed the way he shows up in the OR, builds rapport with new teams, and adapts to different environments and equipment with humor, humility, and collaboration. His approach has not only strengthened patient care but also earned him repeat invitations from programs across the country. Whether you’re a surgeon considering a career reset, a physician curious about the logistics of multi‑state locums work, or someone interested in blending medicine with entrepreneurship, Dr. Pool’s story is candid and full of practical insight. Explore more of Dr. Pool’s work: YouTube: @jmarkpoolmdPodcast: Locums-Wise & Cut the Fluff with Dr. Mark PoolBook: Your Simply Minimized Roadmap to Bypass Surgery

    1h 1m
  2. Ep. 75: Balancing a dermatology career, a hair‑transplant fellowship, and locum tenens work with Dr. Leah Cardwell

    MAR 20

    Ep. 75: Balancing a dermatology career, a hair‑transplant fellowship, and locum tenens work with Dr. Leah Cardwell

    Dermatologist Dr. Leah Cardwell joins us to share how she reshaped her career in 2025 by transitioning into locum tenens work while pursuing a year‑long hair transplant fellowship. Dr. Cardwell realized she wanted more flexibility to deepen her expertise in hair loss and surgical restoration — and locums became the key that made it possible. Dr. Cardwell walks through how she balances her fellowship training in Orlando with locums assignments in Alabama and South Dakota, and how she built a schedule that supports both her professional growth and her life at home in Atlanta. She discusses the learning curve of onboarding, credentialing, and the importance of strong clinic support. Dr. Cardwell also shares her passion for serving underserved communities, her long‑term goal of opening her own practice, and how she uses her social media platform, @thedermplug, to combat misinformation and educate the public about dermatology, hair loss, and the realities of locum tenens work. Whether you’re a dermatologist exploring new career paths, a physician curious about balancing locums with additional training, or simply interested in how flexibility can open new doors, Dr. Cardwell’s story offers clarity, encouragement, and a refreshingly honest look at what’s possible. Follow Dr. Cardwell on Instagram: @thedermplug

    25 min
  3. Ep. 74: A career shaped by rural medicine, private practice, and over a decade of locum tenens work with Dr. Steven Gordon

    MAR 6

    Ep. 74: A career shaped by rural medicine, private practice, and over a decade of locum tenens work with Dr. Steven Gordon

    Family medicine physician Dr. Steven Gordon joins us this episode to reflect on a remarkable career spanning private practice, the Indian Health Service, and more than a decade of locum tenens work across rural and remote communities. Known for his long‑running blog Walkabout Doc and his thoughtful writing on Doximity Op‑Med, Dr. Gordon has spent years documenting the realities of modern medicine — from burnout to joy, from system pressures to the deep meaning found in patient care. Dr. Gordon shares how the mounting administrative burdens and 80‑hour workweeks pushed him toward burnout in private practice, and how locum tenens ultimately helped him rediscover his passion for medicine. He describes the freedom of stepping into new environments, the satisfaction of completing each assignment, and the unexpected ways locums improved his well‑being, his marriage, and his relationship with the profession. Dr. Gordon also offers candid insights on credentialing, navigating non‑competes, negotiating with recruiters, and the dramatic shifts he’s witnessed in healthcare over the past decade — from the rise of private equity to the changing expectations of younger physicians. Explore more of Dr. Gordon’s writing on his blog: Walkabout Doc Interested in learning more about locum tenens opportunities? Visit CompHealth

    31 min
  4. Ep. 73: Taxes and financial planning for locum tenens physicians with Ben Nanney, CPA, CFP

    FEB 20

    Ep. 73: Taxes and financial planning for locum tenens physicians with Ben Nanney, CPA, CFP

    CPA and certified financial planner Ben Nanney joins the us to break down the financial essentials every locum tenens physician should understand. Through his firm, Locums Tax PLLC, Ben works exclusively with 1099 physicians, helping them navigate taxes, business ownership, and long‑term planning with clarity and confidence. In this episode, Ben shares how he found his way into financial services, why he’s passionate about supporting physicians, and what makes locums providers uniquely positioned — and uniquely challenged — when it comes to managing their money. He walks through the “13‑chapter book” approach he uses with clients, emphasizing proactive planning, year‑round guidance, and eliminating tax‑time surprises. Ben also breaks down common questions around LLCs and S‑corps, estimated taxes, deductions, per diem rules, and how to think strategically about benefits, retirement accounts, and student loans as an independent contractor. Whether you’re new to locums or looking to optimize your financial setup, his insights offer practical, actionable steps to help you stay organized and avoid costly mistakes. If you’re interested in learning more about Ben’s work or exploring his services for locum tenens physicians, visit yourlocumstax.com.

    23 min
  5. Ep. 72: A career in academia, financial wellness, and physician entrepreneurship with Dr. Brittne Halford

    FEB 6

    Ep. 72: A career in academia, financial wellness, and physician entrepreneurship with Dr. Brittne Halford

    Internal medicine physician, academic hospitalist, and financial coach Dr. Brittne Halford shares how she built a career rooted in purpose, representation, and financial empowerment. After completing residency, Dr. Halford paid off her six‑figure student loan debt in under three years — a milestone that sparked her passion for helping others transform their financial lives. Alongside her academic work, she nurtured a lifelong entrepreneurial drive that eventually led her to launch More Joy, More Wealth, a financial coaching company dedicated to helping healthcare professionals build confidence, clarity, and long‑term stability in their money decisions. In this episode, Dr. Halford breaks down the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and joy‑based spending philosophy that helped her reshape her own finances — and now guide women in healthcare toward debt freedom, investing literacy, and healthier financial relationships. Whether you’re navigating student loans, exploring side gigs, or looking to build more confidence in your financial life, Dr. Halford’s story offers both inspiration and actionable insight. Learn more about Dr. Halford’s work here: Website: morejoymorewealth.com Instagram: @brittnehalford

    37 min
  6. Ep. 71: A mid-career pivot into locums as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with Thomas Cotto

    JAN 23

    Ep. 71: A mid-career pivot into locums as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner with Thomas Cotto

    Neonatal nurse practitioner Thomas Cotto joins us to share his unexpected path into healthcare, his 15‑year career in the NICU, and what ultimately led him to transition into locum tenens work. After a decade in project management, Thomas made the leap into nursing, quickly discovering a passion for neonatal care. Thomas reflects on his years in a high‑volume Level III NICU, the mentors and experiences that built his clinical foundation, and the moment he realized he needed a change. He walks through his early travel and PRN experiences, what drew him to Weatherby Healthcare, and how he evaluates assignments based on autonomy, acuity, culture, and fit. Whether you’re a nurse practitioner exploring locums for the first time or a seasoned clinician considering a career reset, Thomas’s story offers thoughtful guidance and a look at how locums can expand your experience while giving you more control over your schedule and career. Learn more about locum tenens opportunities with Weatherby at weatherbyhealthcare.com.

    31 min
  7. Ep. 70: How locums helped build a business with Dr. Moiz Qureshi, founder and CEO of Aitality

    JAN 9

    Ep. 70: How locums helped build a business with Dr. Moiz Qureshi, founder and CEO of Aitality

    Emergency medicine physician, entrepreneur, and disaster‑medicine–trained leader Dr. Moiz Qureshi joins us to share how he built a career that blends clinical practice, administrative leadership, and startup innovation. After years in academic and executive roles, Dr. Qureshi transitioned into full‑time locum tenens to gain the flexibility he needed to pursue his entrepreneurial goals. In this episode, he reflects on growing up as a second‑generation emergency physician, the mentors and experiences that shaped his training, and the moment he realized that the traditional W‑2 model no longer aligned with the life he wanted to build. Dr. Qureshi breaks down the realities of shifting into 1099 work — from tax considerations to schedule control — and how locums allowed him to stay clinically sharp while raising two young children and launching a company. Dr. Qureshi also shares how he built Aitality, an AI‑powered credentialing platform he founded to solve a major pain point in healthcare: the months‑long credentialing delays that keep physicians from practicing. Learn more at aitality.com. Interested in trying locum tenens yourself? Explore opportunities with CompHealth at comphealth.com.

    23 min
  8. Ep. 69: Transitioning from W-2 roles to full-time locum tenens with Pediatric Anesthesiologist Dr. Gendzel

    12/19/2025

    Ep. 69: Transitioning from W-2 roles to full-time locum tenens with Pediatric Anesthesiologist Dr. Gendzel

    Pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Leonardo Gendzel joins the Locumstory Podcast to share his path from medical school in Brazil to training at Yale and building a successful career across top U.S. children’s hospitals. After years in academic and leadership roles, Dr. Gendzel recently made the leap into full‑time locum tenens — and he’s reflects on what inspired the change. Dr. Gendzel also breaks down the realities of transitioning from a W‑2 role to 1099 work, including the financial considerations, lifestyle shifts, and the freedom that ultimately drew him to locums. Dr. Gendzel shares practical advice on choosing the right agency, navigating travel challenges, and staying flexible while adapting to new clinical environments. Interested in locum tenens opportunities? Check out CompHealth (comphealth.com).

    29 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

At Locumstory we share the stories of locums. What's a locum? Locum tenens are physicians, PAs, and NPs that work temporary jobs around the country and the world. These unique healthcare providers choose to work this way for a variety of reasons, from flexibility and work-life balance, to making extra money and traveling. Each has a unique story to share. Learn more at locumstory.com.

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