After a year in locum tenens assignments in New Zealand—hers in family medicine in Otautau, his in psychiatry in Invercargill—Kimball Chen and Amy Mullen have scoped out the highlights of what they call the sweetest place on the planet. From the best half-day hike to optimal weather conditions for a helicopter glacier tour to glow-worms dangling from the walls of a cave, they have made the most of their work and play time. And through the
One evening, I was cruising through downtown Boise on my favorite Harley, Boomer, and as always, I was flying a 3-by-5 foot U.S. flag on it. I went through an intersection and heard a lot of hootin' and hollerin' behind me. I turned around and there they were, at a sidewalk café, about 20 Army personnel in uniform. Some even stood at attention! I waved back, and kept going but I thought: that was awesome.
Since 1983, I have worked as an emergency physician at small and large hospitals all over the Western U.S. and Alaska. I find that there are many similarities in my two professions. Every day I spend as an outdoor photographer is different and full of surprises. The same could certainly be said for a day spent as a locum tenens in an emergency department. And in the same way that providing good health care is a
Note: This is Part 2 of Dr. Herring’s observations during a recent international assignment. Part 1 explained medical training and a doctor’s progression through the medical ranks.
About the practice of medicine
In general – No malpractice, sort of. If a complaint comes up, a government-appointed board decides whether to pay the patient/family some money for damages based on the merits of the case, and may take disciplinary action against the MD if indicated. This is
Medical Training – Based on the UK system for obvious reasons.
"I have loved working in New Zealand! My two stints have been in very different settings. The first experience was in a small rural hospital. Well-seasoned GPs provided most of the obstetric care. They did operative vaginal deliveries and assisted at cesareans. Midwives were involved in a smaller portion of the cases. I really appreciated not having to do normal deliveries, but only being involved in complicated OB cases, or cesareans.
I went off to Anchorage to work for three weeks and to find out what spring was like in Alaska. I had been there twice before in August and September and had seen late summer and early fall and had watched the snowline gradually move down the Chugach Mountains. Yes, break-up is over and spring will be getting going, they assured me. Well…
The last 20-30 minutes of the late afternoon flight into Anchorage
I am excited about my future. I will be starting as a hospitalist with Southwestern Vermont Health Care in July. Currently a 3rd year Internal Medicine Resident, and chief resident, at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, I started considering positions last summer. I was considering a fellowship and other hospitalist positions when I received an email from VISTA’s Search and Consulting division about an opportunity in Bennington, Vermont. The opportunity appealed to
The bush pilot gunned the engine of the DeHaviland Beaver float plane as it glided across the bay. We gently lifted off from Ketchikan, Alaska, on the final leg of a journey taking me to a five-week locum tenens job in Klawock, Alaska. During the 45-minute flight, I surveyed the stunning scenery of the vast Southeast Alaska wilderness, which spread out in all directions.
Klawock is located on the Prince of Wales Island, which is
One of the most memorable places I have stayed during a locum tenens radiology assignment was a converted carriage house behind the home of a radiologist I was helping out. It was restored with such attention to detail, charming, with a spiral wrought iron staircase. And it was within walking distance of the hospital.
Another time my wife came with me and we stayed in a lovely two-bedroom condo in Vermont. It was winter and it
