A locum tenens adventure in Chinle, Arizona May 15, 2008 By: Lisa Daggett

When Peter Matel, MD, finished his family medicine residency in 2006, he was sure of what he wanted to do next.

Locum tenens provides a needed change of pace for a seasoned emergency medicine physician.

When Tasha Foushee, MD, finished her radiology training 3 years ago, she knew the traditional medical practice would not suit her needs.

For Charles J. Thurston, MD, providing temporary services has become a way of life.

Family physician Paul Wardlaw, MD, FAAFP, likes to keep things interesting.

Anna Ciocca, CRNA, began her career in 2000 with a permanent position at a Level 1 trauma center near her home. Within 2 years, she began to yearn for some variety in her professional life.

Fresh out of residency in 2004, I ventured into locum tenens to experience different types of practices and cultures. Little did I know that an opportunity in the northernmost reaches of Barrow, Alaska, would bring such serenity to my life.

After providing medical care for nearly 10 years as a private practitioner, university faculty member, and blood bank medical director, pathologist Robert Richmond, MD, decided to try a different career alternative and accepted his first locum tenens opportunity.

Monica Kelly, CRNA, was bitten by the travel bug long before she started providing locum tenens services. After finishing her nurse anesthetist training 10 years ago, she initially took a permanent position in a large medical center near her home down South. But, 2 years later, she was ready for a change.