The Making of a Modern Compliance Leader: Stephen Sugrue’s Journey to CCO
When it comes to building a world-class compliance program, leadership makes all the difference. At DocGo, it comes from Stephen Sugrue, the company’s Chief Compliance Officer, whose unique blend of clinical, legal, and operational experience has shaped a forward-looking and resilient compliance culture.
From EMT to CCO
Stephen’s path to becoming a compliance leader is anything but conventional. His journey didn’t start in corporate headquarters, it started in the field. Driven by a desire to help people, Stephen began his career as an EMT and Paramedic, later becoming a Registered Nurse working in a hospital’s critical care unit. He also served as the Director of Operations for a large ambulance company, giving him firsthand experience of the pressures and realities of frontline healthcare.
This direct patient care experience, combined with his law degree and time at the Office of the NYS Attorney General, gave Stephen a unique perspective on compliance; balancing the need for legal and regulatory oversight with the practical challenges of patient care. It also instilled in him a deep respect for the people who deliver care and the patients they serve.
Before joining DocGo, Stephen spent 15 years as a Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel for large health systems, gaining a deep understanding of the regulatory challenges that healthcare organizations face. But he has never forgotten his roots and experience as a frontline worker. “I’ve never believed in checking boxes. Compliance is about making sure we’re doing the right thing for our patients and the communities we serve,” Stephen says. “That means being humble, being willing to learn, and always keeping the patient at the center of what we do.”
Drawn to DocGo’s innovative approach to healthcare delivery and its mission to expand access to quality care, Stephen saw an opportunity to apply his unique background in a forward-thinking environment.
“At DocGo, we have the chance to reimagine how compliance can actually enhance care delivery rather than just regulate it. I’m excited to help build systems that protect patients while empowering our clinicians to do what they do best.”
Building a Culture of Accountability and Trust
Stephen firmly believes that accountability must exist at every level of an organization for a compliance program to succeed. While setting a strong agenda at the top is essential, he emphasizes that real compliance culture is built when responsibility is shared across all departments and roles. Stephen emphasizes the importance of building a culture where every employee feels empowered to speak up, share concerns, and take ownership of their role in maintaining ethical standards.
“Compliance needs to be taken seriously as a shared responsibility across the organization,” he says. “I’m not issuing top-down directives. We’re all responsible for ensuring ethical business practices and being honest with each other when a mistake is made.”
At DocGo, this approach has helped create a culture of transparency and accountability, where compliance is seen as a partner, not a barrier. Stephen’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing the Compliance Ambassador Committee, a group of 45 leaders from across the organization who are deeply involved in shaping DocGo’s compliance culture.
Smart Compliance is Humble
One of Stephen’s core beliefs is that effective compliance requires humility. He stresses the importance of staying flexible and open to change, especially in an industry as complex and rapidly evolving as healthcare.
“The rules change and evolve, and we as professionals need to grow with them to provide the best service and protection to our organizations,” Stephen added. “Compliance is about being prepared and willing to learn from our mistakes.”
This mindset has earned DocGo recognition for its innovative approach to compliance, including the 2024 Compliance Best Practices Award from Health Ethics Trust, a finalist in both the 2024 NAVEX Excellence Awards and the 2024 Governance Intelligence compliance awards, and the “Compliance Management Innovation Award” in the 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Awards.
Committed to the Mission
As DocGo continues to expand its services and reach, Stephen’s focus remains on building a compliance program that is both resilient and adaptable. Under his leadership, DocGo has implemented a rigorous Compliance & Audit Work Plan, developed a Third-Party Code of Conduct, and launched cutting-edge training programs that prepare employees for the complexities of modern healthcare.
“If I just wanted to avoid fines and penalties, we’d never meaningfully succeed. I want to build a culture where everyone feels proud to do the right thing,” said Stephen. “That’s what keeps me excited about this work and committed to our mission.” His dedication to providing care continues to be deeply personal – true to his EMS roots, Steve still makes time to volunteer as a Paramedic and Firefighter in his community.
With leaders like Stephen at the helm, DocGo is well-positioned to continue setting the standard for ethical, patient-centered healthcare in an increasingly complex world.
