For hospitalist Dr. Zakiya Bomani Moyenda, control over his time mattered as much as the patients he cared for. He valued the work but wanted more room for family.
Now practicing locum tenens full-time, Dr. Moyenda has built a flexible career that adjusts to his needs: “Working locums has given me everything I wanted. I spend as much time with my kids as I wish, and I get to practice in a diverse range of clinical settings. I have a physician career that works around my schedule and goals, not the other way around.”
After completing residency in 2015, Dr. Moyenda accepted a nocturnist position near home. The clinical work was rewarding, but the hours made family time difficult. That’s why he was immediately interested when a coworker mentioned locums.
“I heard about locums from a colleague, and the flexibility was very attractive to me. Once I tried it, I saw how much control it gave me. By 2017, I made it my primary way of working.”
The Flexibility That Kept Him in Locums
When he started taking assignments, Dr. Moyenda thought locums might be a temporary path. However, it quickly became clear that this alternative offered something traditional roles rarely do.
“Physician burnout is real. The conversations about it often stop short of solutions. I found, almost by accident, that locums can reduce stress by giving you control over your time.”
That ability shows up in small but significant moments.
“This morning I worked overnight at my ‘home hospital.’ When I finished, my son had a regional science fair project. I got to be there. Being able to do these kinds of things means a lot to me.”
Mainly staying in Florida lets him return home between shifts. “When the kids are busy with school, I can be busy with extra work. Then during breaks, we reconnect, and I can take more time off because I have that option.”
How Locum Tenens Strengthened His Career
Personal freedom isn’t the only draw of doing locum tenens. Each contract has challenged Dr. Moyenda to adapt quickly and sharpen his clinical instincts.
“The experiences are humbling, and the relationships you build are meaningful. You arrive, people welcome you, and then it is time to get to work. You learn to adjust fast.”
Accepting locum tenens jobs at different hospitals has expanded his skill set without pulling him away from the community where he is raising his family.
Advice for New Locum Physicians
Dr. Moyenda’s recommendation to physicians trying locums for the first time is to keep an open mind.
“If you are a new graduate or a young physician who can travel freely, you should consider it. You will see a wide range of environments that push you to become adaptable in a way that enhances your expertise.”
He also stresses the value of mentorship. “I was lucky. I had friends who were ahead of me and helped me through the process. If you can connect with a clinician who’s working locum tenens, they could help you experience an even smoother transition.”
Building a Life with Room To Grow
Even with his ideal schedule, Dr. Moyenda continues to explore new opportunities. He recently began taking assignments outside of Florida, including one in Davenport, Iowa.
“Even when I work farther from home, I still have time for the things I love, like cooking, being with my kids, and exercising. I have more choices than ever to build the kind of life I want to live.”