What does it look like to rethink retirement and find a new way to practice medicine?
ACOS member Lynne McCormick, D.O., FACOS, shares her journey from a traditional salaried position to locum tenens work, and how stepping outside of the path she had always known gave her something she didn’t realize she was missing: the freedom to decide when, where, and how she works.
From helping fill critical gaps in communities to finding a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation, Dr. McCormick offers a thoughtful perspective on the unexpected opportunities that can come with changing course.
First of all, let me say, I fought this. For a long time. And I clearly acknowledge that I was wrong. This was the right thing to do, and I should have done it sooner.
I felt comfortable in my salaried position as a staff urologist. Of course, that required other duties: Committee Chair, Committee Member, Secretary of Staff, Chief of Staff, all of the duties that ultimately go along with Staff Membership. I also served my College. I encourage everyone to serve their College and their discipline in some way. Committee Chair, Committee Member, Discipline Chair, Examiner, there are so many ways to serve. The College and our Disciplines fostered us, and we need to support them to foster the future.
Then, an opportunity presented itself. One of the outlying hospitals in the system I worked for lost their urologist, and the new hire would not arrive for 9 months. So, I changed my contract to work part time at my base facility and part time at the outlying facility. At first, it was a bit of a challenge switching back and forth, but it worked out. Then, the staff at each facility began to look forward to when I would be there and made sure that things were in order and ready for my assignment time.
But, after all these years, how does one retire gracefully? Just stopping was out of the question for me. I actually did that for 36 days, and it was the most glorious 36 days of my life. But I need things to fill my life.
Work had filled my life, but now I want some of my life just to enjoy. I wanted what I never really had: the ability to decide when, where, and what I do. It is now my decision.
I talked to friends who had done it and were doing it, the locum tenens positions. Find a good handler, find a good position. Tell them what you want, and they will find it for you. If they can’t, either it doesn’t exist, or they are not the right company for you. I tried a few companies, and finally, two of them worked out for me. They see what I want, they know where I want to work, and how much I am willing to work. Yes, they do often ask about other opportunities. Some I consider, some I don’t.
In some of my locums positions, I take ER call, and some I only do clinic. I help to carry the burden as the need exists. I think that the best part of working locums for me is that all of the staff, wherever I am, strive to make sure that I have what I need and that things go well. They always make sure that I feel valued. Without locums, they would have to send patients out, and that is a loss to both the facility and the patient. Having quality locums is a win-win all around. They offer better pay, appreciation, and a welcome back next time. This is something that I truly enjoy about Living La Vida Locums.