We recognize the exceptional work that locum tenens providers do every day, and we also know of some locums who practice charity at the highest level. Whether they choose assignments in underserved areas, make a difference in a facility affected by a staffing shortage, dedicate their time between contracts to make a difference in their community, or help humankind by providing their skills or resources, Barton Associates is honored to work with these “locum heroes”.
Nominated healthcare providers must have worked at least one locum tenens assignment in 2022 through any locum tenens staffing agency, and be able to show proof of assignment. Nominations must be completed and received by June 2nd at midnight. Locum Heroes winners will be notified no later than August 1, 2023.
After all of the nominations are received, a panel of healthcare providers will select one deserving provider as the 2023 Barton Associates Locum Hero. The Locum Hero will be recognized with a $2,500 donation made in their name, to the charity of their choice1 , and a $2,500 award for themselves2!
1 For each winner chosen, Barton will donate $2,500.00 to the recipient's charity of choice, provided that the charity has gained 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, is in good standing with all relevant authorities, and can demonstrate its 501(c)(3) status and good standing.
2 For each winner chosen, Barton will award $2,500.00 directly to the recipient. The award will be subject to all applicable taxes and/or tax reporting, and payment is conditioned upon Barton's receiving a signed, valid IRS form W-9 and accurate remittance information.
Leonardo Alonso, DO, was recognized as a locum hero for his work on locum tenens assignments, as well as his volunteer efforts both domestically and internationally. He has been a locum tenens Emergency Medicine physician since 2015, but began his philanthropic journey over 20 years ago. Over the years he has volunteered on various medical missions in such countries as Haiti, India, Guatemala, Cambodia, and Ecuador.
Chosen for her dedication to providing national and international disaster relief, 2021's Locum Hero was Dr. Prerna Mona Khanna. Dr. Khanna's locum tenens career started over 20 years ago in 1998; and her volunteering efforts span just as far back. Between her locum assignments, Dr. Khanna has always found herself volunteering wherever there is a cry for help, from natural disaster, to underserved populations.
Barton Associates’ Locum Hero of 2020, Heather Harper, FNP, got her start to locum tenens work in order to accommodate her volunteering efforts in Rwanda helping to build the country’s surgical capacity. Chosen for her volunteer service and excellent work in her locum tenens assignment at a tribally owned clinic, Heather has also traveled as a pediatric surgical nurse for various nonprofit organizations.
Reflected in both her locum tenens assignments and volunteering efforts, 2019 Locum Hero winner Whitney Holmes, CNP, has always felt called to work with underserved populations. Whitney utilizes the flexibility of locum work to focus on her passion for volunteering, from providing medical care in response to hurricanes in Haiti, to teaching HIV/AIDS and leadership courses in South Africa. Between her volunteer trips, you can find Whitney working with underserved populations across the U.S. on locum assignments through Barton.
When one of Barton’s 2019 Locum Hero winners, Dr. Neilly Buckalew, MD, isn’t on a locum tenens assignment, she’s dedicating all of her free time volunteering with the Honduras Hope Medical Mission. Providing medical care to underserved Hondurans every year, Dr. Buckalew began this work as a resident, and after having financially sponsored a cancer patient to get the care she needed to go into remission, she is now determined to address the most frequent complaint from her Honduran patients of coughing caused by burning trash and plastic.