Locum Tenens

Get paid to change a life: The Weatherby referral program

April 15, 2025
Man sitting at a desk on a computer

Many staffing agencies have referral programs, but did you know Weatherby offers a double-sided referral bonus? And while an extra $1,000 in your bank account is great, the simple act of referring a friend or colleague could also change their life. Now that’s something to celebrate!

Get a bonus for just five days of work

Any physician referred to Weatherby only has to work five days to earn the $1,000 bonus — and both the referee and the referred get paid.

“I hadn’t heard about the payment for referral until speaking with my consultant about referring my co-fellow. He said, ‘That's fantastic! We'll get you signed up for the referral bonus.’ So, the $1,000 was a very nice surprise.” — Dr. Emily O’Brien, gynecologic oncology

 “An added benefit was getting that referral bonus where — if everything pans out and you start working a certain number of hours — both parties get $1,000. It was great.” - Dr. Uchenna Okoro, anesthesiology

Your referral could change someone’s life

Sharing your experience could change a friend’s life for the better!

“A colleague I’d worked with transitioned from long, full-time employment to locums. I kept in touch with him as he left the hospital, and I knew that he was happy and fulfilled and things were going great. So, I reached out to him and said, ‘I'm thinking about making this transition.’,” shares Alessandra Kostolias, OB-GYN.

“He told me that he was working with an excellent consultant from Weatherby, who had about 15 years of experience, who was open, transparent, and efficient, and who had helped him immensely. So, he put me in touch with her, and I’ve been working with her since. We have a great relationship,” she continues.

In the two years since starting locums, Dr. Kostalias has been able to take a sabbatical, travel to South America, and spend time with her elderly parents. She says, “I cannot say how much this has benefited my personal life, my health, my mental health, and even looking into the future and the longevity of my career. It's just done wonders.”

I cannot say how much locums has benefited my personal life, my health, my mental health, and even looking into the future and the longevity of my career. It's just done wonders.

- Alessandra Kostolias, OB GYN

You don’t have to work with Weatherby to get paid

You don’t even have to work with Weatherby to receive the referral bonus. Anyone who recommends a physician can receive the bonus once that doctor has worked five days.

“I’ve been working with a recruiter from Weatherby for the past year, but we haven’t been able to find a good fit for me,” says Dr. Ayobami Ajayi, an anesthesiologist and new mom waiting for the perfect assignment. “I decided to refer my friend who I trained with to Weatherby because I had such a great experience with the recruiter I was working with and thought that, based on his flexibility and what he was looking for, they'd be able to place him somewhere that would work for him.”

Her friend, fellow anesthesiologist Dr. Uchenna Okoro, appreciated the referral. He was looking for opportunities following a job restructure. “It gave me contacts when I was just starting out,” he says. Since connecting with Weatherby, Dr. Okoro has taken control of his work schedule, allowing him to take time off to see family while still earning a competitive income.

Increase your pay: How locum tenens pay allows physicians to live their best lives

Residents and fellows can also be referred

Dr. Matthew Dothager, a hospitalist, initially heard about Weatherby from his dad, who had been in touch with a recruiter over the years. “There was a lot of uncertainty, especially coming out of residency, not knowing what direction I wanted my career to go,” he says. “My consultant guided me through those steps, and within a week of my initial contact with him, I had assignments set up at two different hospitals.”

For Dr. Dothager, that referral started a full-time career in locums. “I started working with Weatherby and got a chance to travel to different parts of the country and work in a lot of different health systems. So here I am, seven and a half years later, still doing what I initially thought was just a temporary bridge to the next step of my career.”

Dr. Matthew Dothager

I started working with Weatherby and got a chance to travel to different parts of the country and work in a lot of different health systems. So here I am, seven and a half years later, still doing what I initially thought was just a temporary bridge to the next step of my career.

- Dr. Matthew Dothager, hospitalist

Likewise, Dr. Chris Mayer, a gynecologic oncologist, began working locums after his fellowship thanks to a referral from a friend, Dr. Emily O’Brien. After deciding to specialize in gynecologic oncology, he lost the chance to deliver babies in his day-to-day work.

However, taking on short locum assignments has allowed him to keep delivering babies after all. “Locums allowed me to practice different parts of medicine that I was going to have to kind of let go,” he says. 

Start locums now: 5 ways to prepare for a locums career right out of residency

Locums can help those later in their career, too

“What I really am excited about, after 20 years of working, is thinking, ‘What do I want to do with the rest of my life?’” says Dr. Janea Davis, OB-GYN. “What I want to do is travel and experience different places in the country. For my schedule to have the flexibility that locums will allow me, where I could take off two or three weeks if I wanted, is unheard of at my day-to-day job. So, even peeking around the corner at the consideration of being able to do that is incredible to me. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I've been given to do locums.”

As physicians, we get into that daily grind of many things coming at us. Everyone I've spoken with about locums has been very grateful to me.

- Dr. Janea Davis, OB GYN

“You would be surprised at how grateful so many others are for the opportunity to hear about alternatives to their current lifestyle. As physicians, we get into that daily grind of many things coming at us. Everyone I've spoken with about locums has been very grateful to me. So I would say, if there's somebody that you care about, say something. I see this as an opportunity for me to be able to honor myself, honor my work-life balance, honor my family, and I feel almost obligated to share that with other people that I care about.” — Dr. Janea Davis, OB-GYN

Keep your skills: 4 job opportunities for retired healthcare professionals

Still hesitant to refer someone?

Take some advice from these doctors:

“What would I say to someone hesitant to refer a friend to locums? I would say that there is no negative. You don't lose anything to refer them. In fact, you could gain a bonus. It doesn't hurt. It only helps.” — Dr. Ayobami Ajayi, anesthesiology

“Once you do the referral, it's not too much work. The onus is on the person you referred to follow through with that opportunity. I would recommend it.” — Dr. Uchenna Okoro, anesthesiology

“There are no requirements or obligations from that referral process; you're just offering someone an opportunity to learn more about it.” - Dr. Chris Mayer, gynecologic oncology

Has locums positively impacted your life, or is someone you know interested in giving it a try? Refer a friend using the button below or call 954-343-3050 to learn more.


About the Author

Alisa Tank

Alisa Tank is a content specialist at CHG Healthcare. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, road trips, and exploring Utah’s desert landscapes.

See all articles from this author

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