Pictured above: Dr Michael Chu.
After years working in the public health system, Auckland-based liver and pancreas surgeon Dr Michael Chu made the move into full-time private practice. Here, he speaks to the challenges of being an independent surgeon, his experience in gaining entrepreneurial independence as a doctor, and the importance of mentorship.
Born in Malaysia and raised in Christchurch, Michael Chu studied at the University of Otago and rotated through hospitals across the country.
His passion for surgery was ignited during a placement at Gisborne Hospital.
“I was inspired by a surgeon I worked with early in my training,” he recalls.
“The technical side of surgery, the complexity, the variety of patients – it really spoke to me.”
That path eventually led him to specialise in liver and pancreas surgery, an area he describes as both intellectually challenging and emotionally rewarding.
Dr Chu also pursued a PhD through the University of Auckland, while gaining further experience in transplant surgery.
Today, he balances his private surgical practice in Auckland, founded in 2023, with ongoing work in Christchurch, where he performs kidney transplants.
“I like the idea of giving people a second chance. There’s something very meaningful about that.”
His move into private practice, he says, had long been on his mind, but one which required careful planning.
He had two main drivers. One was to achieve a work-life balance and be more present for his daughter, the second was autonomy – the ability to build something of his own.
The public hospital system, however, had not prepared him for the realities of setting up and running a business.
“I didn’t know how to book my own theatre list. I didn’t know how to market myself. In public [practice], you just turn up and do your job. In private, you do everything.
“The biggest adjustment has been realising I’m now the CEO of my own company,” he says.
What has come in handy in Dr Chu’s transition into business is his immaculate attention to detail, he says, which is honed in all his surgical work.
“When you’re dealing with liver surgery, small errors can have catastrophic consequences. That mindset translates well to business. I’m very precise with scheduling, bookkeeping, and managing my time.”
For booking management and bookkeeping, he uses software tools like Elixir (for patient management) and Xero (for accounting), both of which are cloud-based and allow him to work from anywhere.
“Technology helps me stay organised. I reconcile my accounts weekly – not monthly. If you wait, things pile up and it becomes overwhelming.”
Watch our interview with Dr Chu:
Scaling a private practice
When it comes to growing the business, Dr Chu quickly realised that clinical excellence alone wasn’t enough.
“We’re not taught anything about marketing at medical school. In fact, for many of us – especially with an Asian background – the idea of self-promotion is quite uncomfortable.”
Overcoming his cultural limitations, Michael makes sure to put himself out there: “Visits to GPs, speaking at conferences”.
“Being available to patients and colleagues is critical. If people know they can reach you, they’ll refer to you.”
He also made sure to build a website before launching his private practice, partnering with an agency for its digital marketing, and set about establishing referral relationships.
However, being available all the time brings the risk of a burnout. While doctors are trained to work long hours and under intense pressure, it’s not sustainable, Michael says.
He now deliberately blocks out time during the week for personal wellbeing.
“On those free days, I might go to the gym, read a book, or just rest. I also try to keep weekends free for my family.”
What keeps him going is simple: “I love what I do. I love operating. I love fixing things. And I love knowing I’ve helped someone through a difficult time.”
While his practice is still growing, Dr Chu is already focused on the next stage of his business. It’s a vision he says is rooted in collaboration, community and continuity – the same values that have shaped his journey so far.
“I’d love to co-invest in a medical facility – a space where we can consult and operate under one roof.”
In five years, he wants to be working smarter, not harder and doing it with more scale, more reach, and more impact.
Until then, he’s staying focused on his patients, his practice, and the purpose that drives it all.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping people. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
Wise words
For doctors contemplating a shift to private practice, Dr Chu offers this advice:
- Find a mentor: “Mentorship is essential, you need somebody who’s been there. They’ll help you avoid mistakes, set up systems, and keep your head straight when things get overwhelming.”
- Talk to hospitals: “Not one, many. For example, Allevia Hospitals offer guidance for setting up a private practice.”
- Get good advisors: “A trusted accountant, lawyer and business mentor will save you time and stress.”
- Invest in visibility: “A website and SEO are essential. People need to find you.”
- Be available, and be human: “That’s what people remember. That’s what builds a good reputation.”
