Recognizing the Physicians Who Step In When It Matters Most
Every August, National Locum Tenens Week gives us a chance to celebrate the physicians who step in when and where they’re needed most, bringing flexibility, expertise, and heart to every assignment. At Epic Physician Staffing, we’re honored to work alongside these providers, helping hospitals across the country maintain quality care when it matters most. This year, we sat down with a few of our recruiters to reflect on the unique impact of locum providers and the relationships that make our work so meaningful.
High-Need, High-Impact Specialties: Insights from Our Recruiters
At Epic Physician Staffing, our recruiters partner with physicians across some of the most underserved and high-stakes specialties, where every placement fills a gap that truly matters.
Take gastroenterology, where Scott Smith works with physicians who often find themselves responding to GI bleeds and other urgent scenarios, especially in rural or under-resourced hospitals. These professionals need to act fast, make decisions with limited support, and deliver critical care on the spot.
In the high-pressure world of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, William Palacio focuses on placing both surgeons and advanced practice providers. With a shrinking number of triple board-certified physicians in this specialty, his work ensures hospitals have access to talent capable of handling the most complex procedures.
Meanwhile, Jim Tobin keeps anesthesiologists ready to deploy where they’re needed most. His support spans licensure, credentialing, and onboarding, making it possible for these physicians to walk into high-acuity settings and deliver vigilant care without missing a beat.
The staffing needs in urology and OB-GYN are especially urgent. With over 80% of U.S. counties lacking a practicing urologist, Zach Heimerman’s placements help restore access to essential services for entire communities, making each match deeply impactful.
Covering a wide range of high-demand specialties – cardiology, neurology, neurosurgery, and CVT surgery – Courtney Bloch brings a holistic view to complex provider placements. Her deep understanding of subspecialty training and hospital culture allows her to match physicians who can hit the ground running in the most challenging roles.
When Locum Tenens Providers Step Up
In healthcare, every shift filled can make the difference between life and death. When locum tenens providers step in, they do more than just fill temporary gaps – they become vital parts of healthcare teams during critical moments. Each of these stories highlights the profound impact providers have when they bring their expertise and commitment to communities in need. Whether saving lives, building lasting programs, or ensuring continuity of care, locum providers rise to the occasion when it matters most. Their ability to step in at a moment’s notice, offering stability and compassionate care in high-pressure situations, makes all the difference.
A Lifeline in Rural Florida: An Emergency GI Assignment
With just eight days’ notice, one of Scott’s most trusted locums gastroenterology physicians didn’t hesitate for a second. Dropping everything, they rushed to a rural Florida town where the local community had been left vulnerable. The provider’s quick response brought much-needed care to an area that otherwise would’ve gone without. Their intervention not only saved lives but also provided a sense of security to a community that had been holding its breath.
Building a New Program: A University Hospital Referral
In cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, it wasn’t just another assignment for William’s long-time Physician Assistant, it was the beginning of something transformative. What started as a single placement eventually turned into a fully staffed program at a prestigious university. It’s a testament to how one strong referral can change the course of an entire department.
Saving a Life in the OR: Cardiac Anesthesiology Miracle
Anesthesiology is one of the highest-stakes fields in medicine, and Jim’s story underscores just how high the stakes are. When one of his cardiac anesthesiologists spotted a subtle but dangerous issue moments before surgery, their swift intervention likely saved a patient’s life. This was a critical moment where precision and expertise were crucial in preventing a disaster. Jim’s team was able to prevent a potential disaster, all thanks to the vigilance of a dedicated provider.
A Steady Hand in Pennsylvania: A Urologist’s Impact
Zach reflects on the lasting impact of a urologist who left his permanent role to work locum full-time. The physician quickly became a fixture at a Pennsylvania hospital, where both staff and patients came to rely on his steady presence. What began as a temporary placement turned into an invaluable asset for the hospital, offering consistency and continuity when it was most needed. For Zach, it’s a reminder that locum providers become integral parts of the healthcare teams they serve.
Continuity in Crisis: Advanced Heart Failure Provider
Advanced heart failure is a specialty with very few experts, and when a major scheduling gap threatened continuity of care, Courtney was able to step in with a provider who didn’t hesitate. With his expertise, the facility was able to maintain its high standard of care during a critical time. Courtney’s story highlights the importance of having reliable providers who can step in at a moment’s notice to ensure that care never falters, even in the most high-pressure situations.
Relationship-Driven Recruiting That Puts People First
At Epic Physician Staffing, strong relationships don’t happen by accident. They’re built through intention, empathy, and genuine connection. Every recruiter brings a people-first mindset to their work, taking the time to understand the human behind the CV.
Going Beyond the Job Match: A Personal Investment in Providers
Scott doesn’t just match providers to jobs. He makes himself available at all hours, getting to know their goals, families, and motivations. That level of personal investment builds lasting trust and loyalty.
Connecting Through Shared Experiences: Building Trust and Understanding
With William, relationships often start through shared experiences – conversations about parenting, travel, and life outside of medicine. He’s deeply aware of how burnout impacts physicians and offers himself as someone who listens without judgment and advocates without hesitation.
Thoughtful Communication: Cutting Through the Noise
Jim puts a premium on clear, consistent communication. He reflects back preferences to show he’s listening, follows up with context others might miss, and brings a thoughtful touch to every interaction, cutting through the noise of a crowded inbox.
Supporting Providers: Helping Physicians Embrace Locum Tenens
Zach sees part of his role as helping physicians realize the value of locum tenens, especially if they’re new to it. He positions himself as a dependable partner who takes care of the logistics, so providers can stay focused on what they do best: delivering care.
Ensuring the Right Fit: A Holistic Approach to Placement
And Courtney never loses sight of fit. She makes sure the match works on every level – not just clinical skillset, but work-life balance, values, and personality. For her, a successful placement is one that feels right for everyone involved.
At the heart of it all is the belief that when relationships come first, everything else falls into place.
Dispelling the Myths About Locum Tenens
Locum tenens is often misunderstood. Some assume it’s only for new grads, those nearing retirement, or physicians between jobs. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
At Epic Physician Staffing, many locum providers are seasoned professionals, some with decades of leadership and clinical expertise. They’ve chosen locum work not as a temporary fix, but as an intentional lifestyle decision. It’s about flexibility, autonomy, and the ability to design a career that fits around their lives – not the other way around.
Epic Physician Staffing recruiters play a key role in helping physicians see what’s possible. They walk providers through the locum experience, address concerns, and align opportunities with both professional goals and personal priorities. Whether it’s a desire to spend more time with family, avoid burnout, or transition out of a rigid hospital schedule, recruiters help providers find a path that supports it.
With travel and malpractice often covered, and competitive pay built in, the locum model offers freedom without sacrificing stability. And while “locum tenens” may imply short-term, many Epic physicians stay in the same roles for months or even years, becoming trusted members of their care teams.
It’s not just about filling gaps. Epic Physician Staffing builds careers around what matters most to the provider.
Thank You to Our Locum Tenens Professionals
As we celebrate National Locum Tenens Week 2025, we’re reminded that behind every shift covered and every life saved is a physician who chose to step in when it mattered most. These providers bring skill, heart, and adaptability to every assignment, and Epic Physician Staffing is honored to support them every step of the way.
To every physician who has said yes to locum tenens work: thank you! Your impact is felt in every patient you care for and every community you serve.
Ready for your next locums adventure? Let’s find the assignment that works for your life – not the other way around. Reach out today and see how Epic Physician Staffing supports you like no one else can.
