If computers run on logic, then medicine runs on connection. That’s what Dr. Muchura realized after briefly pursuing IT, and it’s why she ultimately chose a career where listening and advocacy come first.

“I knew I needed to do something more meaningful than working on computers,” she recalls. “I needed to work with people, so I decided to pursue medical school.”

From adolescence, she had felt a tug toward medicine—a calling rooted not only in curiosity about the body, but in a deeper desire to connect. That pull guided her into OB/GYN, a specialty where she could advocate for women, listen deeply, and build relationships that shape lives.

A Lesson in Listening

Although Dr. Muchura learned a lot in medical school, she believes patients are the best teachers. Over the years, she’s learned the importance of delivering care rooted in trust and empathy.

“One of the biggest lessons my patients have taught me is to really listen and to believe them,” she explains.

“As physicians, we have medical expertise, but patients are in touch with themselves in ways that can be overlooked. Too often, they don’t feel heard or believed, and women, in particular, face this issue in healthcare. We need to recognize that people know their own bodies. I think lack of listening affects women’s health in profound ways, which is why I’ve made it central to my philosophy."

That approach has guided Dr. Muchura throughout her career, shaping the way she delivers care and advocates for women. It’s also why her proudest achievement isn’t tied to a single patient story.

“What's most meaningful to me is reflecting on all the patients who have expressed how touched they are by the care I’ve given them,” she says. “Cumulatively, that’s what stands out—the difference I’ve been able to make in so many lives.”

Professionally, fulfillment came naturally; each patient reminded her of the purpose behind her work. But personally, she felt something was missing. The traditional full-time schedule left little room for the other side of connection she craved—time to travel, to explore, and to maintain the friendships she’d built.

Locums as Her Passport

Outside of medicine, Dr. Muchura is happiest exploring new places. She’s spent time across England, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany, France, South Africa, and Kenya. Unfortunately, the rigid schedule of traditional practice made the extended time off she wanted for travel nearly impossible.

The turning point came when she saw a former colleague thriving in locums, splitting her time between Ireland and the U.S. while continuing her OB/GYN practice.

“Seeing her freedom and balance made me realize that was the lifestyle I wanted, too,” Dr. Muchura explains.

Inspired, she stepped away from full-time work to travel across Europe and Africa. When she returned, she knew she wanted to make locums her long-term path, and she connected with Caliber to begin her journey.

A New Chapter with Caliber

From the start, Caliber played a central role in helping her build that lifestyle.

“I hit the jackpot with Riley,” she says of her recruiter.“ She’s upfront, a great advocate, and I trust her 100% to keep my interests at the forefront. She communicates so well and always works with me to find the best assignments. Honestly, I’ve been spoiled. I don’t think I could ever work with anyone else.”

Her first assignment kept her close to home in Connecticut, which gave her the chance to ease into locums while building new friendships and professional relationships. Soon after, Caliber covered the cost of her California license—something she had wanted since her very first day in locums.

“California was always in the back of my mind,” she says. “Now I’ll finally get to practice there, with several upcoming assignments already lined up. I’m excited because it also means I can spend time with friends I haven’t seen in years. I like to mix work with catching up with people and strengthening the ties I’ve built throughout the years.”

She also holds a license in Washington state and looks forward to exploring Seattle for the first time, combining new professional opportunities with visits to longtime friends.

Personally, her travels aren’t slowing down. This year she's planning trips to Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam with her niece, along with another extended stay in Kenya.

“I can take a month or more off for these trips, which you just can’t do with a full-time job,” she says. “That’s the beauty of locums—you can condense the same amount of work, then step away to recharge or explore.”

Her Next Voyage

For Dr. Muchura, locums isn’t just a practice alternative; it's a passport.

She’s used it as a gateway to meaningful patient care, to friendships renewed across states and continents, and to the freedom of living fully both inside and outside of medicine.

“Locum tenens is great if you want to be your own boss and have more flexibility. I recommend it to my colleagues. And I’d always recommend Caliber.”

Looking ahead, she dreams of learning to sail and embarking on a long coastal journey (a real possibility thanks to the flexibility of locums). Just like in medicine, she’s drawn to experiences that connect her with people, places, and a deeper sense of meaning.

At Caliber, we’re proud to support physicians like Dr. Muchura who are shaping their careers around both meaningful patient care and the flexibility to explore life on their own terms.

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