Healthcare providers are the foundation of patient care, stepping in whenever and wherever they’re needed most.
Physicians, CRNAs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who take on locum tenens assignments deliver essential medical expertise to hospitals, clinics, and rural communities across the country—ensuring patients receive quality care no matter where they are.
Now, Locumpedia is proud to celebrate the providers who stood out the most in 2024 with our 3rd annual Locumpedia Providers of the Year Award, as nominated by their locum tenens staffing agency.
This year’s honorees include an OB/GYN who has dedicated his career to rural healthcare, a hospitalist who has helped shape new departments in underserved areas, a CRNA whose compassion has earned him constant patient praise, and a primary care provider whose work spans from remote Alaskan villages to medical missions in Ghana.
Their stories are a testament to the profound effect locum tenens providers can have on their patients and entire communities.
Let’s meet this year’s winners.
1. Emma Moore
Specialty:
Family Medicine, NP
Years Practicing Locums: 2
Staffing Agency:
Aya Locums
Nominated by:
Deana Dziadosz, Communications Manager
When underserved communities need expert, compassionate care, Emma Moore steps up to the challenge with Aya Locums. As a locum tenens nurse practitioner, Emma has already made a profound impact in her first two assignments—providing critical healthcare to populations in desperate need.
Emma’s commitment to patient care led her to two challenging assignments: a community health system in Washington, where she managed a high volume of patients with chronic conditions, and a rural clinic in a small town, where she became a lifeline for a population with limited healthcare access.
In Washington, she quickly familiarized herself with the facility’s integrated care model, ensuring that patients with diabetes, hypertension, and other complex conditions received consistent follow-ups and treatment adjustments.
"Emma’s ability to adapt and deliver high-quality care in high-pressure environments is remarkable. She not only meets expectations—she exceeds them, ensuring that every patient receives the attention and expertise they deserve."
2. Dr. Brian Chan Truong
Specialty:
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Years Practicing Locums: 8
Staffing Agency:
Caliber Healthcare
Nominated by:
Brandon Weber, Senior Director
Dr. Brian Chan Truong has been a lifeline for rural communities for eight years, ensuring that even the most remote populations have access to quality OB/GYN care. His locum tenens journey began right after residency, with his first assignment at Sutter Lakeside. Since then, he has worked with Sutter Health, Adventist Health, and his private group practice—always prioritizing underserved areas.
Dr. Truong, nominated by Caliber, is known for his adaptability and willingness to step up when facilities are in crisis. Whether filling urgent coverage gaps or adjusting his schedule to support struggling hospitals, he consistently earns praise from colleagues and patients alike. His commitment extends beyond America’s borders—during his free time, he provides medical care in developing nations.
"Dr. Truong is the embodiment of flexibility and dedication. He makes sacrifices to serve communities in dire need, and his professionalism and expertise have left a lasting impact."
3. Dr. Farzad Najam
Specialty:
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Years Practicing Locums: 1
Staffing Agency:
Cynet Locums
Nominated by:
Sagar Chadha, Delivery Director
When a Montana hospital faced a critical crisis, Dr. Farzad Najim stepped in for Cynet—securing his credentials in just three days, obtaining an expedited Montana medical license and DEA registration, and ultimately keeping the surgical division open during the harsh winter months. Without him, the facility would have had no on-call surgeon, forcing the division to shut down. Instead, thanks to his commitment and flexibility, the hospital could continue delivering essential surgical care to its community.
Dr. Najim’s dedication didn’t stop there—he even delayed his personal vacation plans to extend his shifts, ensuring the hospital remained fully staffed when unexpected needs arose. His selflessness and adaptability have made him an invaluable provider, earning the respect of both hospital administrators and colleagues.
Although he has recently transitioned into a leadership role in Maryland, Dr. Najim remains committed to supporting his Montana colleagues, making himself available for weekend coverage whenever needed. His unwavering dedication to patient care, strong leadership, and ability to rise to any challenge make him deserving of the 2024 Provider of the Year Award.
"Dr. Najim went above and beyond to make sure our Montana facility stayed operational. His ability to step in at a moment’s notice and his willingness to extend his shifts for the sake of patient care is truly remarkable."
4. Dr. Mira Mitry
Specialty:
Internal Medicine Hospitalist
Years Practicing Locums: 2.5
Staffing Agency:
Floyd Lee Locums
Nominated by:
Elizabeth Bates, VP of Marketing
A passionate advocate for culturally competent care, Dr. Mira Mitry has influenced rural communities, particularly in southern Louisiana, where she has worked repeatedly over the past two and a half years with Floyd Lee. Fluent in English and Arabic, she breaks down language barriers, earning the trust of her diverse patient population.
Dr. Mitry’s influence extends beyond patient care—she has helped establish new hospital medicine departments and implemented structural changes to improve efficiency at hospitals like Slidell Memorial. Her leadership and expertise have made her an invaluable resource, not just to her employers but to the entire locum tenens profession.
From mentoring medical students to serving on hospital committees focused on improving patient outcomes, Dr. Mitry goes beyond the call of duty. She exemplifies the power of locum tenens in transforming healthcare for those who need it most.
"Dr. Mitry has played a significant role in our daily operations at Slidell Memorial. Her dedication and adaptability have helped us navigate major transitions, and we are so grateful for her contributions."
5. Michael Temple
Specialty:
CRNA
Years Practicing Locums: 2
Staffing Agency:
Medicus Healthcare Solutions
Nominated by:
Haillie Jenness, Physician Consultant
Few providers earn as much patient praise as Michael Temple, a CRNA specializing in obstetric anesthesia. Working in Denver, Colorado, with Medicus he has become a cornerstone of his hospital—so much so that his name is a permanent fixture on the facility’s “thank you” board, where patients leave notes of appreciation.
Whether navigating snowstorms to ensure coverage, stepping in for last-minute shifts, or spearheading anesthesia stockroom improvements to enhance efficiency, Michael is always willing to go the extra mile. His dedication doesn’t stop at the hospital doors—he donates to local charities and volunteers his time to improve working conditions for his colleagues.
Michael’s commitment to patient care and workplace improvement stands out among locum tenens professionals.
"Patients and their families praise his kindness, compassion, and the genuine comfort he provides during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives‚ labor and childbirth."
5. Dr. Ralph Gonzalez
Specialty:
Hospitalist
Years Practicing Locums: 20+
Staffing Agency:
OnCall Solutions
Nominated by:
Kristen Marsh, Chief Solutions Officer
With a career spanning over 20 years, Dr. Gonzalez has served in critical leadership roles, including Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Section Chief of Hospital Medicine, and Associate Medical Director. Now, as Executive Chief Medical Officer at OnCall Solutions, he is driving clinical and operational excellence in locum tenens medicine.
Dr. Gonzalez’s impact extends far beyond administrative leadership. As a locum hospitalist in Philadelphia, he has worked in urban hospitals and inner-city clinics, ensuring that vulnerable populations—especially those with complex conditions like sickle cell disease—receive high-quality, compassionate care.
His extraordinary commitment to his community was on full display following a tragic plane crash near Roosevelt Mall, where seven lives were lost and 19 others were injured. Dr. Gonzalez rushed to the scene to provide emergency medical care, ensuring that those affected received immediate attention. His swift response in a crisis exemplifies his character, clinical expertise, and deep dedication to service.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Gonzalez enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending quality time with his wife and three children—a balanced approach to life that resonates deeply with his colleagues. Dr. Ralph Gonzalez is a deserving recipient of the 2024 Providers of the Year Award for his leadership, clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to patient care.
"Dr. Gonzalez is not only an exceptional physician but a true leader in locum tenens. His dedication to patient care and provider experience is unmatched."
7. Mel Bingham
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine DMSc, PA-C
Years Practicing Locums: 6
Staffing Agency:
Wilderness Medical Staffing
Nominated by:
Deanna Tiemann, Marketing Director
When remote or underserved communities need help, Mel Bingham is probably already on his way. As a seasoned primary care and emergency medicine provider with Wilderness Medical Staffing, Mel accepted countless assignments during critical shortages in some of the most challenging locations, including Alaska and Montana.
Mel doesn’t just provide care—he builds long-term relationships with the communities he serves. Many of the facilities he works with request him back, and he has played a crucial role in handling medical crises, including severe COVID-19 outbreaks in isolated regions.
Beyond his clinical work, Mel is a passionate humanitarian. He serves as the Medical Missions Director for Ghana Make a Change, leading medical relief projects in Ghana, helping to construct schools, and supporting beekeeping initiatives to create sustainable economic opportunities.
Mel is a deserving recipient of the 2024 Provider of the Year award for his dedication to local and global healthcare.
"Mel embodies everything a locum provider should be—skilled, compassionate, and willing to go where he's needed most. His work changes lives, not just in the US but around the world."
Congratulations to the Winners!
Locumpedia would like to thank the recruiters and staffing agencies who nominated these distinguished providers. Your efforts have been instrumental in sharing their inspiring stories with our community of providers, healthcare facilities, and healthcare staffing agencies.
Each of these providers showcases quintessential traits of the locum tenens profession: flexibility, adaptability, and an overall dedication to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved and rural communities.
About Locumpedia’s Providers of the Year Award
Locumpedia’s Provider of the Year Award celebrates the dedication, excellence, and impact of locum tenens physicians across the United States. Inspired by the legacy of LocumLife magazine’s former “Locum Tenens of the Year” awards, this annual recognition honors providers who deliver high-quality patient care in temporary assignments.
To be eligible, nominees must have worked as a locum tenens physician in a primary medical specialty for at least three months within the US. This year’s winners were carefully selected by a distinguished panel of expert judges:
- Dr. Andrew Wilner
- Dr. Vlad Dzhashi
- Milan Boulette, Ringo VMS
- Jim Chandler, Quadriga Partners
- Keri New, Doximity
- Robin Vovk, Locumsmart
- Cory Kleinschmidt, Locumpedia
About Locumpedia
Locumpedia is a free locum tenens news and technology platform designed to empower physicians, staffing firms, and healthcare facilities. We provide industry news, resource guides, a free job board and directory, market research, and marketing services—helping you stay informed and maximize efficiency while keeping costs in check.
