Marissa has been a dedicated and valued member of the Availity team for an incredible 15-and-a-half years. She began her journey as a contractor and progressed into her current role as a Sales Solutions Engineer. Her career evolution reflects her drive, adaptability, and commitment to Availity and the healthcare industry.
Marissa’s path to healthcare technology wasn’t traditional. From an early age, she was passionate about science and health, aspiring to become a nurse. She pursued nursing in college but ultimately graduated with a degree in psychology. After graduation, a former colleague introduced her to an opportunity at Availity (then RealMed). Though it was an industry she had never envisioned herself in, she quickly found a passion for it.
Starting as a contractor working on EDI enrollment paperwork, Marissa transitioned into a full-time Client Account Manager (now known as a Client Success Manager) within six months. Over the next 13 years, she worked closely with both small and large strategic clients, gaining invaluable experience that paved the way for her current role in Sales Solutions Engineering. With each step, she deepened her knowledge of revenue cycle, healthcare technology, and Availity’s impact on the industry.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of Marissa’s role is serving as a trusted resource. She takes pride in providing clear and accurate information about Availity’s solutions, ensuring that both internal teams and clients understand what is possible while maintaining transparency about system capabilities. For her, it’s not just about selling a product—it’s about making a meaningful impact on healthcare organizations and, ultimately, patients.
A defining moment in Marissa’s career came during the Change Healthcare incident, a crisis that disrupted the industry. In her role, she was able to help numerous healthcare organizations navigate the crisis, providing solutions that served as a vital lifeline. Witnessing the direct impact Availity could have in such a critical moment only reinforced her passion for her work.
When asked about the key to success at Availity, Marissa emphasizes the power of reliability and trust. She believes that following through on commitments is essential to building strong relationships across teams—an approach that has helped her collaborate effectively and solve complex challenges.
Like many professionals, Marissa has had to learn how to balance work and personal life. To create healthy boundaries, she disabled work email notifications on her phone and keeps a running list of tasks to ensure she remains organized without unnecessary stress. These simple but effective strategies help her stay present both in and out of work.
Outside of work, Marissa is an adventurer at heart. She loves spending time outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and traveling to new destinations. She is also involved in animal rescue, actively volunteering with a local Golden Retriever rescue organization. Her two Golden Retrievers, Zoe (12) and Mickey (8), are beloved companions—Mickey being a foster that never left. Marissa is also passionate about genealogy and has traced some of her family lines back 16 generations! Additionally, she enjoys puzzles and recently took up curling as a new hobby.
Her advice for others looking to build a successful career at Availity? “Be reliable in what you say and do. Trust is everything. Build strong relationships across teams, and when you need help, those connections will be invaluable.”
Marissa’s journey is a powerful example of how curiosity, perseverance, and passion can shape a meaningful career. Thank you, Marissa, for your dedication and impact!