Tell us a little about you!

My wife Jenny and I have lived here in Bloomington for seven years (for the second time – we were students here 15 years ago). We have three children (one in grade school and two in high school). We love to travel as a family and see exciting places in the world, learning from the natural beauty and cultures as we go. We are originally for the Western United States (Utah and Idaho) and have loved living in the Midwest and in Bloomington.

What do you teach MSHM students?

I teach the Marketing component of the business core curriculum. Marketing is all about understanding the markets/customers that you serve and seeking to align your “product offering” (i.e. care systems) with what your patients and various caregivers need to provide a great experience. Since most of the students in this program will not be full-time marketers, we tend to focus on the importance of understanding customer needs and recognizing the benefits that can come from investments in product offerings, facilities, communication, etc.

Area of Interests?

My area of specialty in teaching and practice is B2B marketing – in other words, how organizations market and sell to other organizations whether they be businesses, governments, non-profits, etc. The point is that organizations think and behave differently than consumers/patients.

What do you enjoy most about being a Professor?

I left the industry to teach seven years ago because I love to teach and hopefully that comes out in the way I teach. I had fantastic professors along my learning journey, many of whom were current and former practitioners. I always found I gained a lot from their experience in the industry.

What brought you to the Kelley School of Business?

I was an MBA student at The Kelley School of Business back in the mid-2000s. I came back because Kelley invited me to return to teach full time and it has been one of the best career decisions I have made.

What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?

Develop skills that are valued in society. I think we sometimes tell young people to do what they love. The problem is that there can only be so many underwater basket weavers. When you are young is the time to push yourself to develop skills and capabilities that are in short supply in the world. You could interpret these developing skills that can earn you a lot of money, but it doesn’t have to mean that – just skills that are valued in society. The more in need your skill set, the more opportunities you will have, the more autonomy you will have over your career, and the more freedom.

Do you have any advice for MSHM students who are about to become transformational healthcare leaders?

Network, network, network – you can save yourself a lot of grief, job hopping, and unhappiness by learning from the experience of other people. Yes, networking can help you get a job or a promotion. But, more importantly, it can teach you from the experiences of those who have gone before so you don’t have to make the same mistakes.

Connect with Professor Gildea on LinkedIn!