Is That Deductible? The Joys of Travel Medicine, Curiosity, and Community Connection in Rural America

As a physician entrepreneur exploring the world of locum tenens and travel medicine, I've found profound joy and meaning in the unique mix of curiosity, exploration, and community connection that rural America has to offer. Practicing medicine in a series of new places allows me to blend professional purpose with personal discovery, creating a lifestyle rich in experiences and connections I never would have encountered otherwise. Recently, my travels led me to John Day, Oregon—a place that, like so many rural towns, carries the warmth, resilience, and tight-knit spirit I admire in small-town America.

In this post, I’ll share why self-employment and travel medicine aren’t just career choices but lifestyle commitments that allow for fulfillment through new sights, simple joys, and shared human connection. Each location has a way of revealing its own unexpected gems—whether it's a thrift-store find, a hike into rugged backcountry, or a surprise invitation to a small-town celebration. Let’s dive into the joys of locum work and why rural America continues to captivate my heart and mind.

Small-Town Celebration: A 30th Anniversary Filled with Nostalgia and Community Bonding

One of the highlights of my time in John Day was a community celebration held by the town's beloved hardware store. To mark their 30th anniversary, the store organized a downtown street festival that felt like something out of a classic Americana storybook. They blocked off the streets and filled the space with food stands, dessert tables, a live band, and even an axe-throwing cage—all for free. There were events for the kids, from games to face painting, while adults mingled over drinks and cookies. It was the kind of wholesome, all-ages celebration that only a close-knit community could pull off.

This event perfectly captured the spirit of small-town America, a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate simple joys and shared history. Watching everyone—grandparents, teenagers, little kids—laugh, dance, and connect under the open sky was a beautiful reminder of why I’m drawn to these communities. It’s not just about the work; it’s about the people. The honesty, hard work, and heart that make up these places give them a charm and warmth that cities, for all their excitement, simply can’t match. As we celebrated, I felt a sense of nostalgia, belonging, and gratitude for being part of such an incredible slice of life.

Curiosity and Discovery: Finding Treasures in Unexpected Places

Beyond the celebration, everyday life in John Day was full of small moments that fed my curiosity. While taking a lunchtime walk, I wandered into a local thrift store, I stumbled upon a few vintage shirts—ones that brought me right back to my childhood, recalling memories of my father. For just a couple of dollars each, I walked out with a whole collection of shirts: a western-style button-down, a hoodie emblazoned with the logo of a local meat locker, and a few others that I knew I’d cherish for years. In a small town, the local stores, trails, and main street aren’t just stops on a map—they’re invitations to explore, discover, and connect on a more personal level.

This joy in the small details, in items that come with their own local history, is one of the things that makes travel medicine so satisfying. Every assignment brings not only a new professional challenge but also a chance to immerse myself in the lives and stories of the people who call each place home. Curiosity, which can sometimes fade in the predictable grind of traditional practice, finds new life here.

The Joy of Exploration: Hiking the Strawberry Wilderness and Tackling the Backroads

The Strawberry Wilderness, a rugged expanse outside of John Day, offered an exhilarating escape into nature. I set out on a 6 mile, three-hour hike along trails that demanded focus and energy as I crossed streams on logs, climbed over fallen trees, and navigated narrow ledges. I especially enjoyed the cascading waterfall that I had to ford on the journey up the mountain. The path was challenging, but the views at the top—expansive, breathtaking panoramas of mountain ridges and pine valleys—made every moment worth it. The hike was demanding yet deeply fulfilling, reinforcing that hard-won beauty is the most satisfying. I especially enjoyed the absolute silence and absence of human encounters, which made my mindful thoughts race with great pleasure as I appreciated God’s creation

Even reaching the trail was an adventure. The eight-mile single-lane road winding up the mountain felt like a journey in itself, with every twist and turn revealing another view of the forest. My little rental sedan braved the potholes and single lane, rocky steep climbs, powering up the mountain as if it were four-wheel drive. The whole experience mirrored the journey of self-employment—unexpected, sometimes challenging, but full of rewarding discoveries.

Why Locum Tenens Is More Than a Job—It’s a Lifestyle

Practicing locum tenens in small towns like John Day gives me the chance to experience healthcare as it intersects with unique local cultures and needs. Meeting patients in these communities feels different because every interaction builds on the deep bonds that people in rural America have with their local clinics and practitioners. As a physician entrepreneur, you’re not just there to work; you’re there to be part of the community, even if only for a short while.

Locum tenens allows doctors to control when and where they practice, making it ideal for those seeking work-life balance, career reinvention, or the freedom to explore. Each town, hospital, and clinic brings fresh perspectives and challenges, creating opportunities to grow professionally and personally. By blending travel with meaningful work, locum tenens empowers you to live a fuller, more adaptable life.

Is That Deductible?

Now we need to decide whether the dollars I spent in each location were pre-tax (business deductible) or post-tax (personal non-deductible)

1. Community Anniversary Celebration

• Event Cost: Free

• Category: Personal

• Purpose: This was a no-cost, community event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the local hardware store, complete with free food, a live band, kids' activities, and an axe-throwing cage. I really liked doing the axe throwing! As a community bonding experience, it was personally enriching but not tied to any business function.

2. Strawberry Wilderness Hike

• Cost of Access: Free (federal wilderness with no entrance fees)

• Category: Personal

• Purpose: The hike was a recreational, personal activity with no associated cost since it took place in a federal wilderness area without entrance fees.

3. Gas and Car Trip to Strawberry Wilderness

• Cost of Gas and Rental Car: Covered by locum agency

• Category: Business

• Purpose: The locum company covered both the cost of gas and the rental car as part of the contract, so there was no out-of-pocket expense. This covered travel between the clinic and the community, including the remote Strawberry Wilderness.

4. Thrift Store Clothes

• Cost of Purchases: $8 total

• Category: Personal

• Purpose: The vintage shirts and hoodie picked up at the local thrift store were personal purchases, adding some local flavor to my wardrobe. These were nostalgic finds, reflecting a personal investment in the community’s local charm rather than a business need.

5. Meals During Work Week

• Average Meal Cost: $10/day since I sourced my own food at the local grocery store and splurged for a pizza on a Friday night.

• Category: Business

• Purpose: Daily meals while on assignment qualify as business expenses as they were necessary to sustain me through the workdays. This expense was work-related and necessary for sustaining myself through the locum tenens assignment. I choose to take a per diem daily expense payment from my PC at the federal rate and pocket the difference. Using the per diem method, when I buy food, I use my personal credit card.

8. Local AirBnB

• Cost of Book: $85/day

• Category: business

• Purpose: I pay for this with my PC credit card and then the locum company reimburses me for it. I very much prefer an AirBnB over a hotel!

9. Internet Access

• Adjustment for Additional Data: $0 as it was covered by the AirBnB

• Category: Business

• Purpose: To ensure reliable internet access during my time in the remote area I made sure to choose and AirBnB in town that had internet access. This supported business communication and remote check-ins with my other business venture, making it a necessary business expense.

Ready to Build Your Own Micro-Corporation?

Self-employment can be the gateway to the freedom, adventure, and purpose many of you seek. At SimpliMD, we’re here to help you take that leap. With tools, templates, and a supportive community, we guide you through the process of building a sustainable practice tailored to your vision and lifestyle. Imagine creating a life where you’re free to pursue your curiosity, serve communities that need you, and experience the beauty of small-town celebrations—all while practicing medicine on your own terms.

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Final Thoughts on the Joys of Travel Medicine and Small-Town America

The life of a self-employed, locum tenens physician is full of rich, meaningful experiences—ones that extend beyond medicine itself. From local celebrations to rugged trails and unexpected discoveries, the journey is about more than just work; it’s about being part of something bigger, connecting with people, and finding joy in the smallest moments. The honest, hard-working spirit of rural America is a gift, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to be part of it.

SimpliMD is here to help you take control of your career through self-employment, enabling you to live and work on your own terms. Whether you’re driven by a desire for autonomy, a love of exploration, or a deep connection to rural communities, we have the resources to support your journey.

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