From improving the lives of patients to enjoying a healthy work-life balance lifestyle, see why Dr. George M. loves being a locum tenens physician – and why he chooses Cross Country! 

<p>At Cross Country Locums, we are privileged to work with outstanding physicians and 
  advanced practice providers devoted to providing the best in patient care across the 
  nation. We’re here to celebrate these providers and pass along their insights to inspire 
  others interested in the field.</p>
  </br>

<p> This time, we’re spotlighting Dr. George M. In this blog, he shares about his 
  motivation for becoming a physician, his advice for new physicians, what he enjoys 
  about locums, and more.</p>

<h2> Why did you become a Hospitalist?</h2>
<p>As an internist I was always drawn towards the acuity of inpatient medicine 
  rather than outpatient aspect of it. Both are crucial to the health and well-being 
  of our society, and I felt my value is in applying my skills to help our patients 
  and their families through their hardest times and be their support on the road to 
  recovery.</p>

<h2> What advice would you give someone starting out in your field/profession?</h2>
<p> First and foremost, keep enjoying medicine and find ways to decompress. Our profession
   can be demanding and taking care of yourself is a priority. Find a work-life balance 
   that fits you, I do think medicine in general is a wonderful career and I do think 
   being a hospitalist is fulfilling and rewarding, also it can give more freedom 
   compared to other 
  specialties for getting the balance you need as well as the lifestyle you want.</p>
  </br>
  <p> Stay up to date.</p>
</br>
<p> Learn the business side of medicine. We need to be realistic, aside from the 
  humanitarian side of medicine, it is also a business. Unfortunately, we don't get 
  taught about it in med-school or residency and when we start our career, compared 
  to other professions, due to the long years of gearing up to be doctors, we enter 
  the business world a bit late in the game. The sooner you realize that, the sooner 
  you can start learning and the more equipped you are to build a 
  safe and rewarding career and be able to focus on the medical side that you enjoy.</p>

<h2> Why did you choose to work locums? </h2>
<p> I wanted to explore the world of travel medicine, help hospitals in need, learn 
  new cultures and systems, learn how different programs approach challenges differently, 
  and diversify my look at problem solving, whether in medicine or in a workplace and 
  administration. I used to be the director at my hospital and of course, I got to deal 
  with multiple pressing matters, traveling 
  helped now expand my portfolio of problem solving and interpersonal interaction.</p>
</br>
<p> Locums work also gave me a different important angle of 
  self-value and ways to improve at what I do and learn more skills.</p>

<h2> What do you like about CCL? </h2>
<p>I worked and still work with different locum companies and 
  there are certain things that makes one company stand out compared to others.</p>
</br>
<p>Trust and honesty, appreciation, physician-value, and communication.</p>
</br>
<p> You might find some of those in some companies. But what I like about CCL is I found 
  all of them. I worked with Aliyah and now with Lexi as my recruiters and I couldn't 
  be happier. Prompt responses, very attentive, communicating my needs to the appropriate 
  people and work hard on addressing issues and needs, open honest conversations regarding 
  positions and placements, clearing any clouded situations, keep me at ease and confident 
  that they advocate for me. All of that with being respectful and kind, leaving me feeling 
  appreciated and valued, and making me comfortable and 
  trusting that this is a relationship I can rely on and want to keep it healthy. </p>

<h2>What do you like about working at the facilities CCL has placed you with?</h2>
<p> So far, I only worked at one facility through CCL, I liked the work environment there, 
  very friendly, the team has been very respectful and very inclusive, felt like home. 
  Administration has been very open, honest, and cooperating with all our communications. 
  Helping to focus on the medicine aspect of the job and thankful CCL 
  has been taking care of the rest, making it super easy to do what we love.</p>

<h2>Locums Opportunities</h2>
<p> If, like Dr. George M., you’re ready to embark on a rewarding locums adventure and 
  reach patients who need you most, explore our 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums" target="_blank">locum tenens opportunities</a> 
  today!</p>

Meet Dr. George M., Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician