Integrated Business Operations Model Explained & New Staff Spotlight Series Launched

Initially implemented in October 2019, the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) and Department of Psychiatry Integrated Business Operations (IBO) model was developed when Yale School of Medicine (YSM) leadership asked each of the departmental business managers to collaborate and find opportunities for the business operations of both departments to work more closely together. At the time, Ian Solomon served in this role at the YCSC, which serves as the department of child psychiatry at Yale, and Steven Gentile in the psychiatry department.  

The initial collaboration led to further integration of operations in the areas of Human Resources, Faculty Affairs and Staffing Administration, Research Finance and Administration, and Clinical Finance and Administration. Each of these areas are now run inter-departmentally and the IBO model has been adopted by nearly all YSM departments.

“The IBO has allowed us to utilize the synergies from both departments to build an effective business infrastructure supporting the clinical, research, and education missions for all child and adult behavioral health,” commented Gentile. He added, “Ian and I have known each other for almost twenty years and previously worked together in the Department of Internal Medicine business operations, so we welcomed the opportunity to work together again.”  

Solomon commented, “The IBO has helped us identify areas where there is overlap between the departments, similar contracts, and areas where we can learn from each other. It allows both departments to benefit from everyone’s expertise and share information on a more regular basis with each other.”

With the new model now in place for over three years, a new initiative is being launched to cast a spotlight on staff members across both departments working in concert in so many areas. The inaugural spotlight is on IBO leaders Gentile and Solomon, with upcoming monthly features on those in each of the other areas of operations and administration within the IBO. Learn more about Gentile and Solomon through the following brief Q&A with each of them.

Meet Senior Director of Finance & Administration Steve Gentile

How long have you been at Yale?

I have been at Yale for over 30 years.

What led you to this career?

I started my career as a molecular and cell biologist. While I enjoyed doing research work, I found my strengths were more aligned with healthcare finance and administration. I decided to make a career change and took a position in the healthcare insurance industry while at the same time pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare business administration. The combination of my science and business experience led me to my first position at the Yale School of Medicine as a financial analyst in the Department of Surgery. Since then, my career has been in administrator positions, all at the Yale School of Medicine, in the departments of Internal Medicine/ Cardiovascular Medicine, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Laboratory Medicine and eventually, Psychiatry and Child Study Center.

What is a work-related accomplishment that made you proud?

I am most proud of working to foster a department culture and climate of trust, transparency, and integrity as well as the opportunity to mentor, develop and promote talented individuals throughout the organization.  

What energizes you outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, vacations to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Disney. I also enjoy P90X workouts, playing drums, attending concerts, and studying music history.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Loyal, conscientious, kind

What is an accomplishment you are proud of (work-related or otherwise)?

I am most proud of how my family has worked to create a community to surround my special needs son. My son was born with a rare, life-threatening disease which has presented many challenges. Although we live with the complexity of the disease, we found ways to create an environment that allows him the opportunity to thrive socially and emotionally, building on his strengths despite the obstacles. We have worked hard to ensure he feels part of the community he lives in and is embraced by that. My wife and I have become advocates for him and others by doing talks throughout the country educating physicians, medical staff, caregivers, and families about his disease and sharing our journey.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

I would love to travel to London, England

What would you like to share that might surprise your colleagues?

My colleagues might be surprised to know that I am a drummer. I only learned to play drums a few years ago as an adult by taking professional lessons. I also learned how to read and transcribe drum sheet music. My wife (who sings), and I have formed an Inspirational/Christian Rock Band and I also play drums in other classic rock bands where we play Beatles, Nirvana etc. cover songs.

Meet Director of Finance & Administration Ian Solomon

How long have you been at Yale?

I’ve been at Yale 20 years.

What led you to this career?

I always enjoyed working with numbers and finance came naturally to me. During college and after college I was doing construction building new houses and doing renovations. As I was getting closer to my twenty fifth birthday and could no longer be on my parent’s insurance, I started to look for a job that would provide me health insurance when I became aware of a temporary position in the Department of Internal Medicine, section of Cardiology. This led to me getting experience at Yale and eventually led to a full-time job in Anesthesiology Department. My career has come full circle working with Steve in the IBO because Steve was the Operations Manager of Cardiology when I was a casual employee.

What energizes you outside of work?

Spending time with my family and friends. Love being outdoors when the weather is nice.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Loyal, competitive, always willing to help

What is an accomplishment you are proud of (work-related or otherwise)?

I’m proud of my career ladder as I started at Yale as a casual, then hired as an Account 1, promoted to an Accountant II, and through various other promotion and roles to get me to the position I’m in now. I was able to progress through the system to work my way up which has given me a better understanding of the various roles and what is required of them.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

Hawaii

What would you like to share that might surprise your colleagues?

In high school I was the captain of my football team and prior to kids rode a Harley.