In my last post, I wrote about the locum tenens physicians who visited CompHealth's offices earlier this month. One of these physicians was Dr. Olabisi Jagun, who told us that a spirit of adventure makes a good locum tenens provider. She can certainly speak to this based on her own experiences.
Dr. Jagun is a talented and fearless physician. Double board-certified in nephrology and internal medicine, she has worked clinically in the ER for 20 years and as an ED director since 1999. She has many exciting stories about her travels around the U.S., from manning an ER during a storm-induced blackout to saving the lives of countless people who otherwise would not have access to healthcare.
But more than this, she is a selfless caregiver who will go to the ends of the earth to serve patients in need.
"I see emergency patients, but I also see patients who don't have anywhere else to go," she says. "Whether I'm in inner-city Washington, D.C., Appalachia or Uganda, I see the people who fall through the cracks."
Every year since 2001, Dr. Jagun has led medical missions to some of the poorest regions of Africa. She established the Foundation for Combined African Medical Missions (FCAMM), a nonprofit organization established for the advancement of healthcare, education and women's issues in underprivileged communities.
Her decision to work locum tenens with CompHealth was for the freedom and flexibility to serve on these medical missions.
"I found that working as a locum tenens physician was the best option for me," Dr. Jagun explains. "I was able to make my own schedule, which allowed me to work every season except the summer, when I executed my missions."
In recent years, she has become more active in trying to recruit other physicians to join this worthy cause, whether it's through FCAMM, another organization or on their own. She believes more physicians would do medical missions if they only knew how.
"Many physicians have a strong desire to serve, yet often don't know where to begin or if it is the right move for them, both personally and professionally," she says.
One piece of advice Dr. Jagun offers to physicians interested in philanthropy is to consider how to pursue a mission while continuing to work.
"Medical missions require time and money, so physicians need to consider how a mission will fit into their work schedules and how they will cover expenses," she says.
To read more, see Dr. Jagun's articles, "How to know if a medical mission is right for you" and "Are you ready for a medical mission?" on KevinMD.com and HealthNewsDigest.com.
What are some other concerns or challenges facing physicians wanting to work medical missions? Please share your own experiences or advice by leaving a comment below.Dr. Jagun Advises Physicians Wanting to do Medical Missions
May 20th, 2013 2 Min readIn my last post, I wrote about the locum tenens physicians who visited CompHealth's offices earlier this month. One of these physicians was Dr. Olabisi Jagun, who told us that a spirit of adventure makes a good locum tenens provider. She can certainly speak to this based on her own experiences.
Dr. Jagun is a talented and fearless physician. Double board-certified in nephrology and internal medicine, she has worked clinically in the ER for 20 years and as an ED director since 1999. She has many exciting stories about her travels around the U.S., from manning an ER during a storm-induced blackout to saving the lives of countless people who otherwise would not have access to healthcare.
But more than this, she is a selfless caregiver who will go to the ends of the earth to serve patients in need.
"I see emergency patients, but I also see patients who don't have anywhere else to go," she says. "Whether I'm in inner-city Washington, D.C., Appalachia or Uganda, I see the people who fall through the cracks."
Every year since 2001, Dr. Jagun has led medical missions to some of the poorest regions of Africa. She established the Foundation for Combined African Medical Missions (FCAMM), a nonprofit organization established for the advancement of healthcare, education and women's issues in underprivileged communities.
Her decision to work locum tenens with CompHealth was for the freedom and flexibility to serve on these medical missions.
"I found that working as a locum tenens physician was the best option for me," Dr. Jagun explains. "I was able to make my own schedule, which allowed me to work every season except the summer, when I executed my missions."
In recent years, she has become more active in trying to recruit other physicians to join this worthy cause, whether it's through FCAMM, another organization or on their own. She believes more physicians would do medical missions if they only knew how.
"Many physicians have a strong desire to serve, yet often don't know where to begin or if it is the right move for them, both personally and professionally," she says.
One piece of advice Dr. Jagun offers to physicians interested in philanthropy is to consider how to pursue a mission while continuing to work.
"Medical missions require time and money, so physicians need to consider how a mission will fit into their work schedules and how they will cover expenses," she says.
To read more, see Dr. Jagun's articles, "How to know if a medical mission is right for you" and "Are you ready for a medical mission?" on KevinMD.com and HealthNewsDigest.com.
What are some other concerns or challenges facing physicians wanting to work medical missions? Please share your own experiences or advice by leaving a comment below.Author
