VISTA Archived Blogs

LIVING IN EMERGENCY: TRUE STORIES FROM DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS made its premier August 29th at the Venice International Film Festival. The film received a 10-minute standing ovation and very positive press attention. VISTA Staffing Solutions has had the opportunity to support this film throughout its production. It has been an intense process—and it is very gratifying to see such a great final product.

On November 18, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders,” is one of 15 films in the documentary feature category that will advance in the voting process for the 82nd Academy Awards®! Eighty-nine pictures had originally qualified in the category.

If more training is on your horizon, please consider applying for a Traveling Resident Scholar Opportunity with our good friends at IVUmed. I have the honor of serving on the board of this amazing non-profit organization, which provides surgical services and training to make advanced urological care available to children and women worldwide. Their motto is, "Teach One. Reach Many."

Just in case you were hoping to avoid checked baggage fees by lugging a full-size suitcase on the flight to your next locum tenens assignment, take note that US Air has announced limits on the size and weight of carry-on luggage. It’s very likely that other airlines will follow suit.

On US Air, as well as most airlines, you're allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag. Carry-on baggage must be stowed in carry-on compartments of the aircraft, under a seat, or in an overhead compartment.

New size requirements
Beginning February 1, 2009, your carry-on bag can measure up to 45 in/115 cm (14 x 9 x 22 in or 36 x 23 x 56 cm) and weigh up to 40 lbs/18 kg.

Additional items you can take at no charge
The following items will be accepted in addition to the checked baggage allowance at no charge. This is standard for most airlines. Check with your locum tenens travel agent if you have any question.

Living in Emergency — Stories of Doctors Without Borders will be featured at the Cinequest International Film Festival in San Jose this week and next.

“Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders” will be featured in a one-night nationwide event on December 14th, 2009. VISTA has supported this film since its inception because we believe it will resonate with all physicians, particularly those who work as locum tenens physicians. We are thrilled to see it make it into theaters.

Continental Airlines left the SkyTeam Alliance, a global airline alliance, in October 2009. If you are a Continental Elite member, you will no longer earn bonus miles and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) when flying Delta to your locum tenens or international locums assignments. But no worries! Delta has offered to match your Silver, Gold, or Platinum Continental Elite status in its SkyMiles program. Once matched, you will receive special benefits such as:

IVUmed, formerly International Volunteers in Urology, is a wonderful organization I am honored to support and serve and a member of the board. IVUmed sends medical teams around the world to teach local providers and provide care to patients with a variety of urological problems, including vesicovaginal fistula, hypospadias, and lymphatic filariasis. Our credo is, “Teach One, Reach Many.”