Board-certified vascular surgeon and chief medical resource advisor at Locum Tenens Dr. Miechia Esco joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an in-depth conversation on the realities—and misconceptions—of locum tenens medicine. Drawing from a career that spans academia, military medicine, private practice, and locum work, Dr. Esco offers a firsthand look at how locum physicians adapt across diverse clinical environments and why experience, not transience, defines the field.

The discussion highlights the critical role locum physicians play in underserved rural and urban communities, helping to bridge gaps created by physician shortages and hospital closures. Dr. Esco and Dr. Jerkins explore the growing demand for locum physicians across all specialties, the flexibility and autonomy locum work can provide, and how it compares to traditional employment in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. They also touch on the influence of technology and AI while reinforcing why human judgment, compassion, and trust remain irreplaceable in patient care.

What does it really take to succeed as a locum physician? And how can mission, ethics, and culture shape a more sustainable future for healthcare?

Dr. Esco closes with advice for physicians considering locum work, reflections on legacy and leadership, and a reminder that meaningful impact in medicine often comes from meeting communities where they need you most.

Fourth-year medical student and anesthesiology residency applicant Avery Wooten joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for a candid conversation about navigating medical school on the road to the Match. Avery reflects on her path from UNC Chapel Hill to UCSF, the mentorship that helped shape her journey, and how social media became an unexpected tool for transparency and guidance.

She shares how she balances clinical rotations, content creation, and interview prep, while offering insight into the modern residency application process from virtual interviews to the power of personal storytelling. The discussion also explores the financial pressures facing today’s medical students, shifting priorities around work-life balance, and why authenticity matters more than ever in the Match.

What does it really take to stand out as a residency applicant today? And how can mentorship—both online and offline—help demystify the process for the next generation?

Avery closes with reflections on burnout, humor, and staying human while navigating one of the most demanding seasons of medical training.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, social media personality, and former professional violinist Dr. Will Kang joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an engaging conversation on unconventional career paths, surgical culture, and building a life in medicine that extends beyond the operating room. Dr. Kang reflects on his early years as a classically trained musician, the role of parental influence in high-level performance, and how a career-altering shoulder injury ultimately redirected him from the concert stage to medicine.

He shares how the COVID-19 pandemic reignited a long-standing interest in media, leading him to create educational and humorous content on social media. The discussion weaves through the realities of surgical training, the stereotypes surrounding different specialties, and why surgeons often develop thick skin, big egos, and an efficiency-first communication style just to survive the field.

Dr. Kang also offers a candid look at balancing a demanding surgical career with family life, emphasizing why he’s chosen to prioritize being present at home, even when it comes at a professional cost. Looking ahead, he weighs in on the future of orthopedic surgery, including the growing role of robotics, AI, and real-time imaging.

What does it take to pivot when your original dream no longer fits? And how can surgeons build resilience, maintain perspective, and define success on their own terms?

Dr. Kang closes with advice for aspiring surgeons, reflections on criticism and self-healing, and why—despite the challenges—he still believes medicine is a career worth choosing.