At SAS, we believe that prioritizing employee well-being is the right thing to do for our people; it also makes good business sense.
We know that life doesn’t stop when we log on or walk into the office, and that’s why we offer unique resources like our onsite Health Care Center, Recreation and Fitness Center and Work/Life Center to make life’s juggling act a little easier. These aren’t just perks – they're part of our commitment to employees and have proven to be life-changing for many, including Gary Smith, Sr. Director of Consulting.
As a CEO Award of Excellence winner and author of weekly internal “Friday Rally Notes,” Gary embodies the spirit of the #saslife. After over 14 years at SAS, he faced a life changing moment when a routine physical at our onsite Health Care Center led to the early detection of thyroid cancer. Read on to hear Gary's journey to SAS, his advice for others and why he continues to love working at SAS.
Gary’s Story
In 2010, I was working for the Federal government in the DC area while traveling back and forth to North Carolina to care for my aging parents. The constant trips were becoming unmanageable, so when SAS offered me a job to join the SAS Federal business, I jumped at the opportunity to relocate to Cary Headquarters (HQ) and join the team. I was ecstatic about our mission, culture and products – it couldn’t have been a better fit. Since then, I’ve held a variety of roles at SAS within our federal, state, and local government consulting. As an employee at HQ, I’ve enjoyed many of the onsite services SAS provides employees, including the onsite Health Care Center.
A life-saving catch
I’ve been using SAS’ onsite Health Care Center for primary care since I started here. It’s convenient, free to employees covered on SAS’ PPO plan, and has amazing providers! During a routine physical last year, my doctor noticed something unusual in my neck. A follow-up ultrasound and biopsy confirmed it was thyroid cancer. Thanks to early detection, the cancer hadn't spread, and after surgery, I was cancer-free—no radiation treatment needed. Even my surgeon said, “You’ve got to hug your GP. This was an amazing catch.”
Supported by SAS
SAS supported me every step of the way from generous sick time and flexible work hours for doctor visits to three weeks of paid leave after surgery to recover. Our onsite pharmacy made prescription pick up a breeze, and my team took care of my workload, offering kindness and full support throughout.
Living the #saslife
At SAS, this kind of response isn’t a one-off; it’s the same support I received from the company as I was in the throes of caring for my parents in my early days. As a member of the “sandwich generation,” the help of SAS’ Work/Life Center through coinciding seasons of parenthood and eldercare has been invaluable. This most recent experience has only deepened my sense of appreciation, and it’s just one part of why I love working at SAS.
My favorite part about working here is the people I get to work with every day: their attitude, their approach and their empathy. That’s what keeps me here. I’m also passionate about our mission to provide knowledge in the moments that matter. I love working with our federal customers, because I know that everything we’re doing is for the public good. There are a tremendous number of people relying on our software each day; it’s critical. I take a lot of pride in being a part of that work. It’s an exciting time to be at SAS, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
Advice for others
I hesitate to call a cancer diagnosis a blessing, but in a way, it was for me. This experience was a wake-up call that my life needed more balance. My hope in sharing this cautionary tale is that others will learn from my experience. Don’t skip that annual physical or cancer screening – it could prevent the need for more aggressive treatment or even save your life.
