You may know this city for its sultry summer heat or that it’s home to the world’s busiest airport, but you might not know that Atlanta is an integral hub for the locum tenens industry. In fact, Atlanta is home to some of the largest and most well-established locum companies in the country.

On that list is Interim Physicians (IP), and our Regional Atlanta office ensures the organization has a meaningful and vital presence in an essential city (and region).

Being in Atlanta allows us to make a big impact, says Cody Norton, Regional Vice President of IP. The country has plenty of areas that need physicians on a regular basis. Not every doctor grows up dreaming they’ll work in small-town USA, but a key component of our business is bringing healthcare to people who live in rural areas who really need care.”

Norton has been with IP for a short time, but he’s already made his presence felt. The California native has lived in Atlanta for twelve years and he fell in love with the metropolis almost immediately. I love that everything is here. Culture, sports, music and that you can drive less than 30 minutes and be camping in the woods.”

Norton leads a talented bunch in Atlanta. Like him, Joey Bradshaw, an IP Regional Recruiting Director, enjoys being able to make a difference. It’s a thrill to bring top-quality healthcare providers to hospitals and facilities that need help,says Bradshaw. I’ve lived in Atlanta for 28 years and worked in locums for most of those and I have to say, creating long-term, professional relationships that result in people getting help never gets old.”

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Bradshaw grew to love Atlanta, too. Everything is at your fingertips here, he says. Pro sports, college sports, great restaurants  it’s all in close proximity. The IP office is in a great Atlanta spot, too!”

Maireg Chernet, a Physician Recruiter in the Atlanta office, concurs. This city has something for everyone. The culture is so diverse. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Chernet moved to A-Town in 2006. I love the open city, and I LOVE that we have a professional soccer team! It’s true: the city landed its first Major League Soccer (MLS) team Atlanta United in 2017. The team took the MLS championship in its second season, too, bringing the city its first major sports championship to the city since their beloved Braves won the 1995 Major League Baseball World Series.

Patrick Whiddon, an Account Executive, isn’t in Atlanta for the sports, but he’s a big fan of the metropolis, too. There’s always something to do here, Whiddon says. Originally from Alabama, Whiddon lived in the Big Apple before finding his way to the ATL. Right after college, I moved to New York City and started working in sales. I was also playing in a band there, so when I came to Atlanta, I was ecstatic to discover it has such a great music scene. A seasoned musician in the Indie Rock genre, Whiddon is a singer/songwriter and guitarist (among other things). He’s even toured. There’s nothing better than finding a new bar in town and being introduced to new music.”

Keela Hite, also an Account Executive, might be more familiar with Atlanta than everyone else in the office. I’m actually from here, Hite jokes. Sometimes it feels like the city is full of transplants only! Although she was born in Texas, Hite has lived in Georgia since she was a young girl. I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’m still so amazed by the hospitality of the people and welcoming vibe of the city.”

It seems all that southern hospitality has made an impact at the Interim Physicians office in Atlanta, too. I’ve been able to work with so many kind physicians willing to go to underserved areas and provide assistance, says Hite, who’s motivated to her best at IP. I love a challenge, and locum tenens provides one that’s fast-paced. I always aim to be the best.”

Chernet is a bit competitive himself. He says, I never liked monotony or repetitiveness, so the fast-paced nature of locums and our company is a driver for me.”

Whiddon adds: Every day is exciting. The people are wonderful, and at the end of the day, we get to do something that helps people. I feel very fortunate. There’s a lot of pride to take in that.”

Norton concludes: I’m very proud of my team. We’re working hard and helping healthcare facilities find the physicians they need not just in the south or Georgia, but across the nation.The team in the ATL office is proving their success and growing in leaps and bounds, and, Norton says, We’re just getting started.”