In this episode of Locums Lounge, Dr. Jamila Goldsmith sits down with Dr. Mark Royer, ENT surgeon, MBA, and physician leader behind Specialty Locums, to unpack how locums can evolve from short-term coverage into a long-term platform for autonomy and impact.

Dr. Royer shares his journey from employed practice to building a physician-led locums company, breaking down how ownership, ethical staffing, and service-line development can restore both quality of life and patient care. The conversation dives into direct contracting, VMS systems, physician commoditization, rural healthcare access, and what doctors need to know to protect themselves while navigating locums strategically.

This episode reframes locums not as a fallback, but as a powerful business and lifestyle tool for physicians ready to practice medicine on their own terms.

Locums is often misunderstood as a temporary fix or an escape hatch from burnout. In this episode, Dr. Jamila Goldsmith sits down with Ebony Thyme, Travel Nurse Practitioner and 1099 career coach, to break that myth wide open.

They talk candidly about why locums work should be approached as a business, not a short-term hustle. From negotiating contracts and setting boundaries to understanding seasonal demand, financial leverage, and long-term freedom, this conversation reframes locums as a strategic career move for clinicians who want control over their time, income, and energy.

If you have ever felt boxed in by a W2 role, burned out by hospital systems, or unsure how to advocate for your worth, this episode will challenge how you think about stability, success, and what is actually possible in medicine.

Flight delays, cancellations, and long connections can throw your entire assignment off schedule — and your paycheck with it. In this episode, live from the airpot, Dr. Mimi breaks down how to protect your time, money, and sanity when traveling for locums work during a chaotic travel season.

She shares practical strategies to stay one step ahead, including:

- Why you should fly in a day early to avoid last-minute chaos
- How to choose assignments that keep you close and flexible
- What to consider when booking through travel agencies
- When to say no to “high-paying” gigs that are too far or risky
- How to make sure you still get paid — even when plans change

If you are a locums physician planning your next assignment, this one is your travel survival guide.