National Locum Tenens Week marked its 10th anniversary in 2026, giving staffing firms a chance to recognize the clinicians providing temporary coverage across the US.
This year’s celebration mixed provider stories, industry milestones, educational resources, and a notable policy development. Here are six moments that stood out.
1. NALTO Looks Back on a Decade of National Locum Tenens Week
To start the week, NALTO released an announcement reflecting on how the event and the locum tenens industry have changed since the first National Locum Tenens Week 10 years ago.
NALTO shared an updated marketing toolkit, complete with statistics on locum tenens participation. One in three physicians has taken a locum tenens assignment, and 79% of clinicians currently working locum tenens plan to continue doing so.
NALTO also pointed to movement on the RURAL Healthcare Act, which advanced out of the US House Committee on Education and the Workforce. This marked the first time federal legislation addressing locum tenens clinicians’ 1099 status had reached that stage of the congressional process.
The industry has changed a lot in ten years, but its purpose hasn’t. The National Locum Tenens Week theme says it best: “Temporary providers, permanent impact.”
2. All Medical Personnel Runs a Provider Giveaway
All Medical Personnel celebrated locum providers with a contest for a Yeti Cooler. Submissions were open throughout the week to mark the occasion.
The giveaway was one of several agency-led efforts aimed at recognizing clinicians during the week, a reminder that showing appreciation for locum providers doesn’t always take the form of a shout-out. Sometimes it’s a tangible thank-you for the clinicians filling gaps in care.
3. Medicus Healthcare Solutions Introduces Locum Tenens to Newcomers
For the tenth anniversary of National Locum Tenens Week, Medicus Healthcare Solutions explained how locum tenens works to clinicians who may be unfamiliar with the model.
The article covered what locum tenens is, who may find the work appealing, and how temporary coverage can support communities facing staffing gaps.
Even as the industry has grown, resources like this can help introduce more clinicians to locum tenens and the role temporary coverage can play in maintaining continuity of care.
4. Interim Physicians Brings Back #ThankALocum
Interim Physicians brought back its annual #ThankALocum campaign, with recruiters recognizing clinicians they’ve worked with during the year.
One post featured Dr. Zhang, whom Recruiting Director Joey Bradshaw recognized for a bedside manner that helped patients feel comfortable.
The campaign put the clinician-recruiter relationship at the center of the celebration, using individual stories to show how those working relationships develop over time.
5. Clinicians Share How Locum Work Fits Into Their Lives
Several staffing firms used National Locum Tenens Week to share clinicians’ perspectives on why locum work fits their careers.
Aya Locums featured providers they were thankful for this year, including CRNA Wenzhao Z. pictured handling a hawk while riding on horseback.
Barton Associates recognized Dr. Alison Curfman, Barton’s Chief Medical Officer and a practicing locum tenens pediatric emergency physician. Curfman described schedule control as one reason locum work has fit her career.
Floyd Lee Locums joined in by sharing the story of Dr. DiChiara, a mother of four who described using locum work to balance income and family responsibilities. As she put it, “Locums let me meet the needs of my family and the needs of a client at the exact same time. The flexibility is what makes it all work: the travel, school, the practice, everything.”
6. More Staffing Firms Mark the Anniversary
Other staffing firms joined in with their own clinician recognition posts and videos.
All Star Healthcare Solutions recognized clinicians who take assignments in rural and high-need facilities. Annashae and Solomon Page also shared messages of appreciation for locum tenens providers.
Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens published a series of videos featuring team members discussing their work with locum clinicians and the reasons some choose temporary assignments.
A Decade In, the Celebration Keeps Evolving
Ten years in, National Locum Tenens Week continues to evolve while keeping the focus on the physicians and advanced practice providers who make locum tenens possible. The 2026 event mixed clinician stories, industry education, policy developments, and agency outreach, reflecting how established locum tenens has become within healthcare staffing.
Want more stories like these? Be the first to know when locum tenens news breaks and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.locumpedia.com/newsletter.
