For Liz Hale, locum tenens has always been about more than staffing.
The CEO of MPLT Healthcare brings more than 30 years of experience to her newest role: President of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), the nonprofit that sets the criteria for locum staffing firms in the US and promotes ethical recruiting practices.
Hale’s background spans operations, leadership, and organizational growth, giving her a 360-degree view of how the industry operates at every level. She began her career at the bedside as a nurse in upstate New York, an experience that continues to shape her mindset today.
“When you’ve cared for patients directly, you understand that staffing isn’t just a business function,” Hale said. “It’s a patient safety function.”
That perspective has stayed with her. Every shift filled, every credential verified, and every provider placed carries real consequences for the quality and continuity of care. It also informs how she approaches leadership at a time when the locum tenens landscape is expanding, expectations are rising, and trust is becoming more important across the market.
This marks her first interview since becoming NALTO president.
Growth, Responsibility, and Expectations
Hale feels fortunate to have followed the strong leadership of prior presidents who did an exceptional job prioritizing one of the most crucial concerns facing the industry: protecting the 1099 contractor status for physicians.
“Their work in Washington, DC, focused on codifying physicians, has been critical,” she said. “It remains a central issue as regulatory pressures evolve, and Past-President Jarin Dana still leads that charge today.”
In addition to supporting that continued momentum, Hale’s focus is centered on strengthening trust in the industry and ensuring the association consistently delivers real value to its members.
At the same time, the industry continues to grow.
“We are seeing more staffing organizations enter the locum space than ever before,” she said. “And while that obviously reflects the increased demand of physician staffing, it also creates a real obligation for us to set the benchmark for how this work is done.”
“We are seeing more staffing organizations enter the locum space than ever before. And while that obviously reflects the increased demand of physician staffing, it also creates a real obligation for us to set the benchmark for how this work is done.”
To that end, one of Hale’s defining priorities is making sure there’s a clear pathway for new locum agencies to learn how to operate the correct way, from ethics and compliance to credentialing, communication, and client management.
That growth also brings increased accountability, not just for how organizations operate, but for how their decisions affect patient care.
Facilities need coverage, schedules must be filled, and delays create strain. At the same time, patients depend on consistent, high-quality care.
“I believe strongly that we have both a business responsibility and a healthcare responsibility,” she said. “The best organizations understand that those two things are inseparable.”
That connection is especially clear in communities where coverage gaps can affect whether patients are seen at all.
“It isn’t simply about filling gaps,” Hale said. “Staffing solutions play a significant role in ensuring continuity of care in communities that might otherwise go without access to physicians.”
For NALTO, that role extends beyond maintaining a Code of Ethics. It includes helping locum firms understand how to operate effectively from the start. More agencies in the market reflect strong demand, but they also raise the importance of consistent, ethical practices.
“NALTO has a unique opportunity to serve both as a standard setter and as a resource,” she explained, “helping organizations build strong, sustainable businesses while protecting the reputation of the industry as a whole.”
Credentialing, Technology, and the Human Factor
One of the most complex and evolving parts of locum tenens staffing continues to be credentialing.
Hale, who has served on NALTO’s Credentialing Committee for eight years, including six as Chair, has observed a clear shift toward more efficient, technology-driven processes.
“What we’re seeing today is a significant shift toward automation and digital credentialing platforms that are actually streamlining many of the manual steps that historically have slowed the process down,” she said.
Tasks such as license monitoring, document collection, and verification are increasingly automated, improving speed and accuracy. As a result, technology has moved from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement.
“I think it’s been a game changer for locum organizations trying to meet those increased time-to-start expectations,” Hale said. “Staffing firms that aren’t leveraging that type of credentialing technology today risk falling behind. We’re finding that clients are naturally gravitating toward partners who can move providers through the process more quickly and efficiently.”
Even so, she emphasizes that efficiency can’t come at the expense of discipline.
“It’s not about cutting corners,” she said. “It’s about regulating workflows, facilitating stronger collaboration between agencies and facilities, and removing unnecessary friction through better systems.”
When all of those elements come together, both efficiency and compliance can be achieved. In the end, that’s what health systems and patients depend on.
And that balance extends beyond credentialing, scheduling, and compliance.
“Technology should enhance relationships, not replace them,” Hale said. “Facilities expect a high level of professionalism and accountability from internal partners, recruiters, account managers, and of course, providers. They want to work with staffing organizations that can help them plan ahead, anticipate their needs, and be part of their staffing plan. In many ways, expectations are becoming more sophisticated, and that’s a positive development for the industry.”
AI and automation can improve workflows, reduce administrative burden, and even analyze staffing trends. But the foundation of the industry remains human. Providers want to feel supported, and facilities want to feel confident in their partners. Those expectations are established through communication and responsiveness.
“Relationships are driven by people, not by automation and not by AI,” she said. “The organizations that will succeed are the ones that use technology to remove administrative burdens so that their teams can focus more time on those meaningful interactions. Innovation should create the time and space for more connection with clients and clinicians, not less.”
“Relationships are driven by people, not by automation and not by AI. The organizations that will succeed are the ones that use technology to remove administrative burdens so that their teams can focus more time on those meaningful interactions. Innovation should create the time and space for more connection with clients and clinicians, not less.”
Supporting Women in Leadership
Hale has participated in several leadership panels over the years. In February, she joined a NALTO webinar titled “Building Influence: Empowering Women in Locum Tenens Leadership,” a follow-up to the association’s “Women in Leadership” panel she participated in last year.
“It was the second time I had the chance to do something like this with NALTO in support of women in executive and other leadership positions, and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “We’ve made substantial progress in representation across the industry. More women are stepping into these roles and influencing strategic decisions, and that’s really encouraging to see.”
At the same time, she notes that there’s still a real need to make sure that women have access to mentorship, development, and leadership pathways.
“That representation doesn’t happen by accident,” she adds. “It requires intentional investment. There’s still the opportunity for advancement, and there always will be. I encourage women to seek out environments that support their growth. If you’re not in that type of organization, it’s okay to step away and look for one that will fully value what you bring to the table.”
I encourage women to seek out environments that support their growth. If you’re not in that type of organization, it’s okay to step away and look for one that will fully value what you bring to the table.”
Defining Success
When asked what impact she would most like to have made when her term as NALTO President concludes, Hale points to the foundation of the industry itself.
“I’d like to know that I helped strengthen and protect the foundation of an industry that has given so much to me, both personally and professionally,” she said. “First and foremost, during my tenure I hope the important work the NALTO Legislative Committee has done to protect the 1099 contractor model for physicians continues to gain traction and comes to fruition.”
Hale would also like to see that NALTO has become an even more valuable resource to its members, especially organizations just entering the locum tenens space.
“Growth is a positive sign, but it comes with responsibility,” Hale said. “If we can help agencies understand how to operate ethically, leverage technology effectively, and deliver consistent professional services to their clients, then we strengthen the reputation of the entire industry.”
Ultimately, her goal is straightforward.
“Success would be knowing we raised the bar on professionalism, accountability, and trust,” she said. “If healthcare facilities have greater confidence in locum tenens partners, providers feel supported and respected, and member organizations believe NALTO helped them operate at a higher standard, then I’ll know we’ve made a meaningful and lasting impact.”
“Success would be knowing we raised the bar on professionalism, accountability, and trust. If healthcare facilities have greater confidence in locum tenens partners, providers feel supported and respected, and member organizations believe NALTO helped them operate at a higher standard, then I’ll know we’ve made a meaningful and lasting impact.”
