You might not know Steven Kramer well, but chances are, if you’re a member of the surgical community, Steve’s career at Yale has had tremendous impact on your own.
As the Business Office Manager for the Department of Surgery for the past fifteen years, Steve (as he’s better known) has worked behind the scenes — crunching numbers, dotting I’s and crossing T’s — to ensure the Department’s business backbone could support the continued growth of its more visible clinical, education, and research operations. After fifteen years of service, Steve is retiring from Yale. His last day is Friday, January 29, 2021.
“Salaries, expenses, coding issues, budgets, hospital negotiations, projections: you name the business initiative, Steve was at the steering wheel,” said Greg Kharabadze, Senior Director of Integrated Business Operations and Vice Chair of Finance and Administration. “Steve’s are big shoes to fill, though I am confident that the team he has built will continue to drive his legacy of excellence.”
Since the start of his tenure, Steve has led a relatively small business office of six staff members, to a multi-departmental enterprise of more than 20 employees. In the past two years, the Departments of Ophthalmology and Anesthesiology integrated their business operations with the Department of Surgery — a testament to Steve’s contributions.
“Steve has been an invaluable partner in the growth and integration of the business operations across the school. His contributions will continue to be felt on both a micro and macro level, by those who worked with Steve both directly and through the stable foundation he has built for the department,” said Department of Surgery Chair, Dr. Nita Ahuja.
Colleagues echo the sentiment on Steven's kudoboard (a “happy retirement” e-card of sorts); every message, a heart-felt note of gratitude for his wisdom, both professional and personal.
“I will miss your sound career advice the most. Your invaluable words of wisdom will be with me forever,” reads one message.
“I have been working on my golf swing and will send you a video to critique. When this COVID situation gets better, maybe we can play a few rounds,” reads another.
Steve and his wife Lori, both avid gardeners, plan to move to Maine within a year. Steve looks forward to more time in the garden. He hopes to become more involved as an environmental and social justice activist — after a few rounds of golf.
Colleagues and friends of Steve are welcome to sign the Kudoboard: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/UtASPXoL