In celebration of Availity’s 25th anniversary, we’re highlighting associates whose impact and dedication have helped shape who we are today. Through this special Associate Spotlight series, we’re honoring the people behind our story—past, present, and future.
In this Q&A, we’re proud to spotlight Doug S., who shares reflections on his journey, the moments that mattered most, and what continues to inspire him as part of Availity.
When you think about our Core Values, which one resonates most with you, and why?
The value that resonates most with me is Own the Outcome. It is very beneficial from a day-to-day perspective and helps move us forward as a company. I really identify with the book “Extreme Ownership,” and I love that we adopted this type of mindset as a company value.
Looking back on your time at Availity, what accomplishment or contribution are you most proud of?
This is such a difficult question because there are so many from over the years. Completing the first AWS migration and shutting down the on-prem data solution is at the top of the list. There were so many challenges due to the tight timeline and the number of teams involved, but in the end, we accomplished it. This set us up as a company with a stable and reliable data environment to become proactive instead of reactive.
What excites you most about where Availity is headed next?
The unknown. We are rapidly adapting to the changing healthcare environment and making the best-informed decisions we can. There are so many unknowns ahead that will offer opportunities we cannot foresee right now. My team is a great example of this, as five years ago I never would have imagined we would be doing the work we are doing today.
What are three words you’d use to describe Availity today?
Change – We are not staying idle and content with the way healthcare works. We are challenging traditional thought processes and improving them.
Partner – Health Plans, Providers, and Trading Partners heavily rely on us to be a reliable partner and solve difficult problems.
Growing – Availity continues to grow in influence and scale while keeping true to what makes us unique.
What’s one way your team quietly helps simplify healthcare that most people outside Availity would never notice?
My team is constantly improving how and what data we use to simplify solving healthcare problems. There are many projects going on where we are working to make data more decision-focused for our health plans, providers, and trading partners. This provides insights into fraud, network inefficiencies, and everyday tasks that are challenging the healthcare system.
When did you join Availity, what was your first role, and what stands out most from your early days?
I joined Availity in 2015 as a Product Owner for the Attachments team. I had just spent 13 years at Florida Blue and thought I had a good understanding of healthcare. My first few months here really humbled me as I realized I had a lot to learn. We were a much smaller company then, and everyone knew one another. Working side by side with my teammates in a traditional scrum room was an incredible experience and remains one of my strongest memories from that time. It fostered a close-knit team environment where we were always ready to tackle any challenge together.
What’s kept you here the longest?
The biggest reason I’ve stayed is that I’ve never stopped learning. There are always new challenges to take on and new skills to develop, which has kept the work engaging and fulfilling. Over the years, I’ve learned that growth and continuous improvement are what keep me motivated.
How has your role evolved since you started?
My role has evolved a tremendous amount since joining. I joined as a Product Owner and then moved into a Product Line Manager role. When we split Product and Engineering, I moved into an Engineering Manager role over the Auth team. For the past four years, I have been Director of Business Intelligence on the data team. There were a lot of hops and different teams during all those years, which provided a lot of variety in my 11 years here.
Looking back, what advice would you give your first-day self?
Be patient and absorb as much knowledge as possible. Every experience, challenge, and opportunity will contribute to your growth in ways you can’t yet imagine.
What’s one process, tool, or way of working that has changed during your time here?
Engineering practices are one process that has changed over time. Our focus on quality and reliability has become priority zero as we have grown. In the early days, there was more focus on speed and meeting customer demands. We have matured a lot since then and know where we need to be to support the healthcare industry.
What’s a moment when you realized the work we do matters beyond our walls?
When I worked on the Claim Status team, I did on-site visits with several provider groups. They let me sit with their teams and observe how they interact with what we create. This experience left a lasting impression on me because it showed firsthand how the design decisions we make directly impact the people who use our products every day. I remember watching one employee continually move her mouse while waiting for screens to load. Every second mattered because she was required to complete a certain number of claim updates each hour. Seeing the pressure she worked under and understanding how our tools affected her daily experience gave me a new perspective. From that point forward, we approached our decisions with those users in mind, focusing on what they needed to be successful in their roles. While we often think about the impact we have on patients and providers, this experience reminded me that we also affect the employees behind the scenes who rely on our products to do their jobs efficiently and support their families.
What do you appreciate most about your team right now?
The strong relationships I’ve built across the team, combined with their consistent willingness to step up and take on complex challenges, have reinforced the value of collaboration and shared accountability.
What’s an unexpected skill you’ve developed during your time at Availity?
This company has always provided opportunities to step beyond traditional role boundaries. Over the years, I’ve developed the flexibility to adapt to different responsibilities as needed, and that variety has been a key part of both my growth and enjoyment of the work.
What do you think will define Availity’s next chapter of growth?
I believe the next chapter of the company’s growth will be shaped by either the rapid advancement of AI or the evolving healthcare landscape driven by government mandates and regulatory changes. Both areas are changing at such a fast pace that it’s difficult to predict exactly where we’ll be in five to ten years. What is clear, however, is that our ability to adapt and innovate in response to these shifts will play a significant role in defining our future success.
What is one area where you think Availity can make an even bigger impact in the years ahead?
If I had to choose one area, I would say data. We sit on an enormous amount of data and institutional knowledge, and I believe we have only begun to unlock its full potential. What excites me most is the shift we’re making from simply delivering data to customers to providing actionable insights that help them operate more effectively. By leveraging our data in new and innovative ways, we can help customers make better decisions, improve outcomes, and ultimately become best-in-class organizations.
Thank you, Doug, for your dedication and the impact you’ve had in shaping Availity’s story. We’re grateful for all you do as we celebrate 25 years of Availity!