Let's Locums

Most ENT PAs will go their entire careers without tackling the innovative world of mobile clinics — Pavel Rybin did it in just one year. From immigrating out of Soviet Russia to launching North Carolina’s first fully outfitted mobile ENT practice, Pavel's journey is an inspiring blueprint for any clinician craving independence, entrepreneurial spirit, and new opportunities.

In this episode, Pavel shares how his relentless pursuit of skill mastery and entrepreneurial drive led him to build "None of Your Ears Wax," a mobile ENT clinic revolutionizing accessible care. He discusses the nuts and bolts of outfitting a Mercedes Sprinter into a fully equipped ENT hub, the legal landscape that made this possible in North Carolina, and how he balances clinical expertise with business savvy—all while managing family life and staying physically fit.

You'll discover how Pavel's intense focus on microsuction, endoscopy, and urgent care skills set him apart in his field — and why mastering these techniques can open new doors for PAs everywhere. We also explore the step-by-step process of starting a mobile clinic, negotiating locums assignments that tripled his income, and why locums might be the key to financial freedom and lifestyle flexibility. His transparent insights on pay negotiations, collaboration with online communities, and the crucial importance of clinician self-care provide actionable takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their ENT career.

This episode isn't just about innovative business models — it's about reimagining what’s possible in your career, breaking free from traditional constraints, and creating a practice that truly serves your life goals. Perfect for clinicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone eager to rethink healthcare delivery, Pavel's story proves that with vision and persistence, you can turn your passions into powerful solutions.

Reach Pavel directly via his Instagram @PavelTheENTPA or visit www.mobileentnc.com to see his mobile clinic in action. Whether you're curious about locums, startup clinics, or just want a dose of entrepreneurial inspiration, this episode delivers practical advice and a compelling call to action.

Other link's to Pavel the ENT PA's content:

https://www.tiktok.com/@noneofyourearswax?_r=1&_t=ZP-93eZRGjDS4F

https://www.tiktok.com/@mobile.ent.nc?_r=1&_t=ZP-93eZPgqQbRH

https://youtube.com/@none_of_your_ears_wax?si=4yoJdZnBgZiqMhOC

https://www.facebook.com/share/189QfaMwqz/

https://www.instagram.com/pavel_the_ent_pa?igsh=amoxZnB5d3I5MHV4

https://www.instagram.com/mobile_ent_nc?igsh=aHlzcmVkaTRnaHNr

Recorded live in the exhibit hall of the 2025 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery annual meeting in Indianapolis, IN! Dr. Mark Royer (ENT and host of "Let's Locums") and Dr. Caleb Masterson (‪@dr.masterson‬ ) discuss his unique practice (featuring a coffee bar in the allergy clinic), his social media game, and his tips for parenting/spousing. Follow Dr.Caleb Masterson on Instagram @dr.masterson ----- Discover the difference working with a physician run locum tenens agency with NO RECRUITERS! Reach out to us by e-mail: [email protected] or visit our website: www.specialtylocums.com and instagram @specialtylocums

• (00:00:02) - The Flexible Medical Career
• (00:00:41) - Caleb Masterson at the American Academy of Otolaryng
• (00:01:17) - The Underlying Cause Of Disease
• (00:04:35) - How to start a social media presence
• (00:06:15) - Social Media: The Pitfalls
• (00:09:01) - Dial tone working on the computer
• (00:10:19) - In the Elevator With Practice Manager
• (00:11:42) - Private Practice: The Future
• (00:13:38) - The Coffee Bar Allergy Clinic
• (00:16:03) - A More Human Clinic: How to Lead From a Healthier Place
• (00:19:06) - How to Salvage a Bad Private Practice Situation
• (00:23:29) - How To Balance Your Professional Worklife With Family Time
• (00:27:10) - Best- and Worst Life Advice
• (00:28:22) - Fast 5
• (00:28:46) - Caleb and Aaron Masterson
• (00:31:24) - NFL players go to the Lucas Oil Field
• (00:31:45) - Let's Locums

Dr. Ryan Mallory is an interventional cardiologist, short term real estate investor and locums career coach. We discuss his journey from full time interventional cardiologist working 70 hours a week in an employed position to his flexible schedule allowing him time to present as a dad and husband and real estate investor. 

Follow Dr. Ryan Mallory on Instagram @RyanMalloryMD

Discover the difference working with a physician run locum tenens agency with NO RECRUITERS!

Reach out to us by e-mail: [email protected]

or visit our website: www.specialtylocums.com

and instagram @specialtylocums

• (00:00:00) - How to Get Your Medical Contract Done
• (00:00:58) - locum tendons physician on
• (00:02:08) - Traveling Doctor: The Secret to Success
• (00:03:07) - How to Make a Great First Impression
• (00:09:32) - How to Unplug Yourself From the Matrix
• (00:11:36) - Do you Contract with a Physician or Through a Locums Company
• (00:13:18) - Working the Locums
• (00:16:04) - How to Manage Short Term Rental Properties
• (00:18:30) - Have Short Term Rentals Got To Go
• (00:22:10) - Are You Expanding Your Short Term Rentals Franchise?
• (00:23:28) - The Importance of Being a Locum
• (00:26:58) - Dr. Michael O'Brien on Locums
• (00:31:40) - Halftime Freedom
• (00:33:32) - Dr. Richard Feist on His Favorite Place to Work
• (00:38:34) - Private Jet Vacation or Business Class Flight?
• (00:39:59) - Let's Locums

Dr. Jamila Goldsmith shares her unique journey as a locum tenens physician, discussing her decision to pursue this path right out of residency, the challenges and rewards of working in various healthcare settings, and the importance of patient safety and cultural competency in medicine. She also highlights the significance of coaching for fellow physicians entering the locum tenens field, and the need for advocacy to support this practice model. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Goldsmith emphasizes the value of embracing discomfort and the importance of work-life balance in a demanding profession.

Follow Dr. Goldsmith on instagram @mimimedschool 

Discover the difference working with a physician run locum tenens agency with NO RECRUITERS!

Reach out to us by e-mail: [email protected]

or visit our website: www.specialtylocums.com

and instagram @specialtylocums

In this conversation, Dr. Janine Morris shares her journey into radiology and her transition to locum tenens work. She discusses the appeal of radiology, the challenges of traditional practice, and the flexibility that locum tenens offers. Dr. Morris emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit in assignments, maintaining professional connections, and understanding the various payment structures in radiology. She also provides valuable advice for physicians considering locum tenens, including tips on managing licenses and credentialing, and busts common myths about locum tenens work.

In this conversation, Dr. Pryor Brenner shares his experiences balancing family life with a medical career, transitioning from military to civilian practice, and navigating the world of locum tenens. He discusses the challenges faced by military doctors in locum roles, including the need for support from superiors and the complexities of military regulations. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and the unique insights gained from diverse medical experiences. He shares insights on the key surgical skills needed for deployment, the challenges of navigating locum shifts, and common mistakes made by new locum physicians. Brenner also reflects on the future of locums in military medicine and the balance between family life and a demanding medical career.

 Dr. Tod Stillson discusses his journey as a physician and the establishment of SimpliMD, a community aimed at empowering independent physicians and his locum tenens work as a Family Medicine Physician. He shares insights on navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, particularly for locum tenens physicians, and emphasizes the importance of financial strategies and business structures for achieving professional autonomy. The discussion also touches on the innovative telemedicine platform, ChatRx, which aims to enhance patient care through technology.

Information and resources to maximize your financial success as a locum tenens physician (or independent physician) can be found on Dr. Stilson's website www.SimpliMD.com.  He is offering a free newsletter (it's excellent!) and an exclusive discount code "SL30" for his consulting and resources. 

In this episode of Let's Locums, Dr. Gopi Shah shares her journey as a pediatric otolaryngologist and her experiences with locum tenens iun the USA while living in Paris, France. She discusses her transition from academic medicine to locum tenens, the decision to move her family to Paris, and how this experience enriched her professional and personal life. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, the benefits of locum tenens, and the support she received from her colleagues during this transition. In this conversation, Gopi Shah discusses her experiences in locum tenens work, emphasizing the autonomy and flexibility it provides. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of locum tenens in medicine, the skills required to thrive in such roles, and the value of effective communication and relationship-building in diverse clinical environments. Gopi also shares insights about her time living abroad and her passion for travel, concluding with information about the Backtable podcast network.

More about BackTable can be found at www.backtable.com the podcast network for practicing physicians. 

Also, check out Dr. Goudy's (Pediatric ENT surgeon at Children's Hospital of Atlanta) amazing product for those of us with young chidren, the NozeBot 

This is a bonus episode which is the entire interview with retired attorney turned primary source historical author, Mr. Douglas Wamsley.  This interview was utilized for Episode 9 of "Let's Locums" entitled "The Worst Locum Tenens Experience in History".  This conversation delves into the life of Dr. Octave Pavy, a physician involved in the Greeley Expedition, which aimed to explore the Arctic. The discussion covers Pavy's early life, his aspirations for polar exploration, the dynamics between him and expedition leader Adolphus Greeley, and the challenges faced during the expedition, including survival, starvation, and the eventual allegations of cannibalism. The conversation highlights Pavy's medical skills, his complex personality, and the historical context of Arctic exploration in the 19th century.

Let’s locums is brought to you by SpecialtyLocums.com. We are a physician run locum tenens company specializing in specialty locum tenens. We have no recruiters and no jobs for arctic expeditions.  We provide high paying and high quality locum tenens options for our premier physicians and APPs.  Please like, subscribe, rate and share.

Mr. Douglas Wamsley's excellent books, "Big Wolf: The Adventerous Life of Lieutenant Frederick G. Schwatka"  & "Polar Hayes: The Life and Contributions of Isaac Israel Hayes, MD" can be found here.

Reach out to us by e-mail: [email protected]

or visit our website: www.specialtylocums.com

and instagram @specialtylocums

In this we are taking a detour from our  typical long form interview with a locum tenens provider.   We explore the "Worst Locum Tenens Experience in History."  Join us as we take a winding journey around Dr. Brenner's locums experience, public television auctions, early 90s northern Indiana, Ken Burns, and 19th century american arctic expeditions.  

Special thanks to the contributions of Dr. Pryor Brenner, Dr. Alex Lanigan, Dr. Allison Royer, Mitch Royer, Conan O’brien, Ken Burns, WNIT, and, of Course, Mr. Douglas Wamsley.  Our entire hour long fascinating and uncut interview can be found as bonus episode podcast and on our YouTube channel. Dr. Brenner’s episode about his time performing locum tenens will also be published in the near future.  Let’s locums is brought to you by SpecialtyLocums.com. We are a physician run locum tenens company specializing in specialty locum tenens. We have no recruiters and no jobs for arctic expeditions.  We provide high paying and high quality locum tenens options for our premier physicians and APPs.  Please like, subscribe, rate and share.

Mr. Douglas Wamsley's excellent books, "Big Wolf: The Adventerous Life of Lieutenant Frederick G. Schwatka"  & "Polar Hayes: The Life and Contributions of Isaac Israel Hayes, MD" can be found here: 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Douglas-W.-Wamsley/author/B002P99SU2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Reach out to us by e-mail: [email protected]

or visit our website: www.specialtylocums.com

and instagram @specialtylocums