Russ Thomas Named Entrepreneur of the Year

Jacksonville, FL — Russ Thomas, CEO of Availity, was recognized with the Ernst & Young 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year Regional Award.

Entrepreneur of the Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous world for all.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award from Ernst & Young,” said Thomas. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Availity team. Together, we are driven by a shared vision to positively impact the U.S. healthcare system. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that empower healthcare providers and enhance the patient experience.”

Twenty-three finalists were evaluated by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were assessed based on their demonstration of unparalleled vision, drive, and accomplishments in their respective fields.

The prestigious award recognizes Thomas’s transformational leadership at Availity, the nation’s largest real-time health information network, as well as his dedication to the Jacksonville community.

“On behalf of Availity’s Board of Directors, I’m thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Russ for this well-deserved recognition,” said Chuck DiVita, Chair of Availity’s Board of Directors. “Russ’ commitment to organizational excellence has been a cornerstone to Availity’s tremendous growth and influence in the healthcare industry.”

Since Thomas was appointed CEO in 2012, Availity’s network has grown to to include over three million U.S. healthcare providers, transacting over $2.5 trillion of commerce through the Availity network.

Thomas’ leadership has also influenced and nurtured the culture and growth of the organization’s employees. Availity’s awards in 2022 for Fortune’s Best Place to Work in Technology, Best Place to Work for Millennials, and Best Place to Work for Women are all a testament to the strong culture built at the company.

Additionally, Availity has deep roots in Jacksonville, including community involvement on corporate and personal levels, and paid time off for employees who wish to volunteer. Notably, the company launched the Beyond School Walls Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (BBBSNEFL) to mentor students at Jean Ribault High School. Availity presented scholarships to students during a ceremony held at the company’s Jacksonville headquarters earlier this year.

As the recipient of the 2023 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award, Thomas will be considered for the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024.

About Availity

Availity is the place where healthcare finds the answers needed to shift focus back to patient care. We work to solve communication challenges in healthcare by creating a richer, more transparent exchange of information among health plans, providers, and technology partners. As one of the nation’s largest health information networks, Availity facilitates billions of clinical, administrative, and financial transactions annually. Our suite of dynamic products, built on a powerful, intelligent platform, enables real-time collaboration for success in a competitive, value-based care environment.

For more information, including an online demonstration, please visit www.availity.com or call 1.800.AVAILITY (282.4548). Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contact:

Jill Colna / Jill Anderson
SVM PR
401-490-9700
[email protected]