By Derek Wilkes (Director of Client Solutions) and William Palacio (Physician Recruiter)
At Altamar Physician, we know that effective physician staffing is more than just placements – it’s about meaningful relationships. Attending the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Conference allowed us to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new providers, and gain valuable insights into the evolving locum tenens landscape.
The Rising Popularity of Locum Tenens
Over the course of three days at STS, one message was loud and clear: locum tenens is more in demand than ever. Physicians across all experience levels are prioritizing flexibility and control in their careers. In today’s fast-changing world, more providers are looking to take their careers into their own hands, and locum tenens offers an ideal way to do so.
We spoke with recent medical graduates and newly trained physicians eager to explore different practice settings before making long-term commitments, as well as seasoned providers who want to scale back their workload while keeping their skills sharp. Across the board, physicians appreciate the ability to set their own schedules, choose their assignments, and maintain work-life balance—all key benefits of working with Altamar Physician.
Meeting the Needs of Our Clients
Our conversations with clients reinforced our reputation for delivering high-quality staffing solutions across multiple service lines. While our expertise in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery was a primary focus at STS, we also had the chance to discuss the impact Altamar Physician has made in other specialties. Clients appreciate our ability to provide customized staffing solutions tailored to their unique needs, and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive.
What stood out most was how these interactions weren’t just about exchanging business cards; they were about fostering trust and understanding. It’s about finding common ground, sharing insights, and truly getting to know the people we work with. These are the moments that lay the foundation for future collaboration, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to experience that firsthand. The goal isn’t just to make connections at the conference—it’s to build strong relationships that last well beyond it.
A Unified Presence: The Power of the Stone Harbor Staffing Group Network
Teaming up with Altamar Cardiovascular Services at STS 2025 elevated our presence and underscored the strength of our collective expertise. Both Altamar Physician and Altamar Cardiovascular Services are part of Stone Harbor Staffing Group, a leading national provider of specialized staffing solutions across the bio-pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Thanks to Stone Harbor Staffing Group’s diversified platform, we offer comprehensive healthcare staffing solutions across all disciplines, locations, and contract types.
Together, we demonstrated the power of collaboration—Altamar Physician leading the way in locum tenens staffing and Altamar Cardiovascular Services specializing in perfusion staffing. By combining forces at STS, we reinforced our ability to support healthcare facilities with a full spectrum of high-caliber providers. This partnership not only strengthened our visibility at the conference but also highlighted the expansive reach and impact of Stone Harbor Staffing Group across the healthcare landscape.
Altamar Physician: Strengthening Connections Beyond STS
Our time at STS 2025 reaffirmed the growing demand for flexible physician staffing and the value of strong client relationships. We’re excited to build on these insights, strengthen our partnerships, and continue providing exceptional locum tenens solutions. Thank you to everyone who connected with us at STS—we look forward to what’s ahead!
If you’re a physician looking for greater career flexibility or a healthcare facility seeking top-tier locum tenens providers, Altamar Physician is ready to support you. Connect with us today to explore how we can help you achieve your goals.
About the Authors
Derek Wilkes is the Director of Client Solutions for Altamar Physician, overseeing the CVT Surgery, Urology, and OBGYN service lines. With years of locums experience under his belt, Derek prides himself on the relationships he has cultivated over his career. Nothing brings him more satisfaction than pouring into his teams and seeing them succeed. Outside of the office, you can find Derek on the basketball court or the golf course.
William Palacio is a Physician Recruiter specializing in Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgery for Altamar Physician in Hollywood, FL. He focuses on connecting top-tier surgical physicians and assistants with the right opportunities. Born and raised in South Florida, William has deep ties to the local community, from the soccer fields to the schools he attended. He graduated from Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, FL, and later earned a degree in Computer Science from Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia, where he also has strong connections. In his downtime, he enjoys hanging out with his family, traveling, and trying out new restaurants.
