Tom Garvey – Managing Director
Tom completed a BA Hons in Financial Services in 2012 from DBS and commenced his career with Locumotion, part of Centric Health. He went on to work with TTM Healthcare in the UK recruiting nurses before moving back to help set up Spring Doc. In 2018, Tom to set up Med Doc Healthcare and has seen the company become a prominent fixture in providing recruitment services to both the HSE, Department of Justice, Student Health, Out of Hours and GP practices across Ireland. In 2019, Tom established Med Pharm who recruit pharmacist’s and pharmacy technicians for all aspects of community pharmacy in Ireland.
Get to know Tom
Where are you from?
I am a born and bred south Dublin ‘yaw’ and although my accent is ‘posh’ I certainly wouldn’t consider myself to be and wouldn’t associate myself with the stereotype that comes with growing up in Dublin 6…yawn!
Why did you decide to set up a medical recruitment company?
I worked for some very well-known names in medical recruitment and learned a lot. I definitely wasn’t always the best at taking advice from others and always being highly motivated, didn’t really need much micro or macro management, I knew what and where I wanted to be (I am however eternally grateful to those who gave me the opportunity and you know who you are). I think I was always destined to be a lone-wolf and to date, I haven’t regretted it one bit. Setting up your own company as the cliché goes, is definitely not for the faint hearted, you need resilience, perseverance and sheer bloody determination. There’s two things you’re doing in life and that’s buying or selling, the common denominator is people and they can really test you.
What do you love about recruitment?
I love the psychology aspect of recruitment, why people do what they do and why they do it. Dealing with both doctors and pharmacists at the best of times is challenging given their high IQ but in order to progress in life they say to surround yourself by those who are smarter than you. More recently I do take a lot of pride and joy being responsible for those I employ at Med Doc Healthcare and watching them grow. I’ll hold my hands up and say I haven’t always gotten it right but life is about learning and improving next time around.
Next or dream holiday destination?
A safari in Kenya (Masi Mara or Amboseli National Parks). Now more than ever those running volunteer organisations are really struggling. I’ve been so fortunate in life and thankful that I was reared in a good home, it would be nice to be able to spend my hard earned ‘fortunes’ on those who really need it and maybe meet David Attenborough. Plus who doesn’t like animals that could swallow you in one gulp.
What is your favourite hobby?
I love sports, rugby & football as well as other sports but what I love doing most is spending time with my German Shepherd Lola who is always a bundle of joy and great to come home to every day after a hard days work. With COVID-19 I have been doing some gardening and planting and even though Lola has decided to rip up my plants that have cost me a bomb, she’s still a gem!
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
Fifa on the PS4 or Mario Kart – I was always half decent at both and would back myself to take on anyone, any time, any place. I’m also a dab hand (or so I think) at debating with a never say die attitude, I’ll just beat you into submission. Takers welcome…
What are three things on your bucket list?
Travel the world (South America, part of Asia, parts of the USA, the Maldives and Bali. There is other destinations but I don’t want to bore you any further…
Go on a Lions Tour and/or watch Ireland win the Rugby World Cup (if we don’t bottle it each time we are tagged favourites)
Get a ticket on Elon Musk’s first flight to the moon. I wasn’t old enough when Concorde flew from London to New York in a record time of 3 hours 30mins which would have been pretty awesome. Yes, I have a need for speed.
Dr Hilary Garvey – Company Secretary
Hilary acts as company secretary for Med Doc Healthcare and ensures we meet all our legal and regulatory requirements in conjunction with both our legal team and finance team. Hilary is a dentist by trade and has over 40 years experience in her own private practice and with Centric Health. Hilary is always happy to provide advice and guidance on her experience in the healthcare field and is a real asset to Med Doc.
Fiona Garvey – Compliance & Accounts Manager
Fiona joined Med Doc Healthcare in 2020 and is an ACCA qualified accountant with experience as financial controller/Assistant financial controller/finance manager roles. Fiona has worked in both industry and practice and brings with her a wealth of commercial retail experience also having worked with Marks and Spencers prior to commencing a career in Accountancy.
Fiona joins Med Doc with a vast amount of experience in dealing with accounts payable/receivable and in-depth accounting and compliance experience. Fiona will be managing all compliance and accounts functions within the Med Doc Healthcare Group as well as over-seeing the day-to-day running of the office in conjunction with the managing director. She is a very welcome addition to the Med Doc family.