Finding Your Medical Career Freedom | Locums Tenens | Dr. Zunda Gibson | Balance to Excellence Show S3E2

Dr. Judy Wright sits down with Dr. Zunda Gibson, accomplished physician and founder of Soul MD Travel. Dr. Gibson shares her powerful journey from traditional medical practice to helping physicians reclaim their career autonomy. Learn how medical professionals can break free from burnout, regain control of their schedules, and create a more fulfilling professional life.

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS (click to jump to section): 

00:00 - Introduction 

02:33 - Dr. Gibson's early calling to medicine 

06:48 - From urology aspirations to finding her path in medicine 

11:10 - Building and running a solo practice for 11 years 

14:57 - Discovering locum tenens work as a solution 

19:01 - The importance of flexibility in medical careers 

25:35 - What is locum tenens and how it works 

32:00 - The importance of autonomy for healthcare professionals 

38:06 - Creating time for yourself amidst a busy career 

45:47 - Practical steps for late-career physicians 

53:15 - Interstate Medical Licensure Compact explained 

55:53 - Advice for maintaining wellbeing as a medical professional 

01:04:00 - Intentional living and protecting your energy 

01:10:27 - Career lessons: Understanding the cyclical nature of success

 

Note: As of 2024 Florida is now a part of the IMLC (Interstate Medical Licensing Compact) You can find more information about the IMLC here 👉🏾https://imlcc.com/

💡 Episode Highlights

Dr. Gibson's Journey to Medicine and Career Evolution:

• A childhood choking incident sparked her interest in medicine when she saw her family's helplessness
• Initially pursued urology before transitioning to internal medicine
• Built and operated her own urgent care/primary care practice for 11 years
• Faced challenges with insurance companies that led to selling her practice
• Discovered the flexibility and autonomy of locum tenens work

The Power of Career Flexibility in Medicine #MedicalCareerOptions #PhysicianAutonomy

• Dr. Gibson emphasizes: "It's never been about just staying in one lane. I think that's where we get trapped."
• The ability to work in various settings (hospitalist, urgent care, emergency medicine) provides valuable perspective
• Traditional medical training often creates "walls" that limit how physicians see their career options
• Flexibility allows physicians to adapt as their interests and life circumstances change

Understanding Locum Tenens Work #LocumTenens #PhysicianFreedom

• Latin for "to hold a temporary place" - essentially travel medicine for physicians
• Allows doctors to work flexible schedules in various clinical settings
• Typical assignments range from one week to several months
• Travel expenses, accommodations, and competitive pay provided
• Perfect for physicians seeking more control over their schedule

The Crisis of Physician Autonomy #PhysicianBurnout #HealthcareAutonomy

• "Physicians are angry... We're angry because we feel like we have no control."
• Healthcare systems often create all-consuming schedules that prevent strategic thinking
• Many physicians feel trapped in systems where non-medical administrators make clinical decisions
• Taking back control begins with creating space to think and explore alternatives

Practical Steps for Reclaiming Your Career #CareerAdvice #PhysicianWellbeing

• Start with morning quiet time - wake up an hour earlier if needed
• Create intentional pauses in your schedule to reflect and plan
• Be selective about social media consumption and personal associations
• For late-career physicians: consider locum tenens as an alternative to full retirement
• Explore the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for multi-state practice options

Maintaining Wellbeing as a Medical Professional #SelfCare #WorkLifeBalance

• "Carve out time in your day, particularly at the beginning, to just have that quiet time"
• Prioritize daily movement - even a simple 30-minute walk makes a difference
• Be intentional about what you consume - both media and personal interactions
• Understand that your career isn't linear but cyclical - the downs aren't failures but opportunities

🔥 Quotable Moments 

"I can put me anywhere and I can survive. That's probably my personality." - Dr. Zunda Gibson #Resilience #MedicalCareer

"Man, do you let go? At some point you have to let go. This is a business and this business is drowning you. Release it." - Dr. Gibson on selling her practice #EntrepreneurialAdvice

"The system is designed to be all-consuming so that you don't have time to think about anything else." #PhysicianBurnout #HealthcareReality

"Physicians are angry. We're angry because we feel like we have no control." #PhysicianWellbeing #MedicalCareerFreedom

"Your career is not this linear upward climb. It's more of a wave that's up and down. And those downs are not always bad." #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalDevelopment

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Soul MD Travel: Dr. Gibson's company helping physicians explore locum tenens opportunities
• Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: Streamlines licensing for physicians in multiple states
• Locum Tenens Agencies: Organizations that credential physicians for temporary assignments

📱 Connect With Dr. Zunda Gibson

• LinkedIn: Zunda A Gibson MD / Soul MD Travel
• Instagram: @SoulMDTravel
• Website: soulmdtravel.com

📱 Connect With Dr. Judy Wright

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judywrightmd/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judywrightmd
• Website:https://wellnesswithdrjudy.com/
• Book: "Girl, Get Your Life Off The Fault Line" https://wellnesswithdrjudy.com/faultline

👉 TAKE ACTION

If you're a physician feeling trapped in your current practice model, visit soulmdtravel.com to explore how locum tenens work could give you the freedom and autonomy you're looking for.

 

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