Dr Bye will be available for consultations with our Boarding students at the College’s Medical Centre - Whakaora Cottage, from 7.30am to 9am, Monday to Friday.
Dr Bye attended the University of Otago Medical School, before returning to Auckland in 2009. After leaving hospital-based medicine (having worked in Whangarei, North Shore, Auckland and Middlemore Hospitals), he became a GP at Mangere Family Doctors.
With his strong interest in Youth Health and his connections to King’s as an Old Collegian, the College looks forward to working with Dr Bye, and of course, welcoming him back to the College.
Already three weeks onto the job, we sat down with Dr Bye to find out what it’s like to be back at King’s.
Lovely to have you working at the College, Dr Bye! Did you enjoy your time here when you were a student?
Dr Tom Bye: I really enjoyed my time at King’s! Doc (Alan Huffadine), my Housemaster was great. He was my House tutor as well my Chemistry teacher for my last two years at the College, so he made a big impact on my journey into medicine.
What has led you to become a GP, and why did you want to work in education?
TB: I wasn’t initially interested inGeneral Practice, but after working in four hospitals around Auckland and Northland I found a love for general practice and the better work-life balance it provides. I have come from working in high-stress emergency, surgery and ICU departments which has been a fantastic part of my career, but I am now enjoying the challenges of general practice and the broader knowledge scope needed.
I have always been into paediatrics so although I hadn’t considered the idea of working in a school, when the role came up I thought it sounded perfect.
What are you most excited about for your new role?
TB: I am most looking forward to getting the chance to work in a different environment. I currently work at the Mangere Family Doctors across the road as well, so being able to deal with completely different situations each day make things very interesting!
For more information on Whakaora Cottage and the health and medical services on offer, please click here.
