Latest news with #Koontz
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seventh-graders experience Career Quest
ELKHART — Thousands of seventh-grade students were enticed with a wide array of possible career paths during an annual Career Quest event held Wednesday and Thursday at the Northern Indiana Event Center. The event, organized by the Horizon Education Alliance, attracted over 2,500 seventh-graders from across Elkhart County over the two days. Local employers from the business operations, construction, health care and manufacturing sectors hosted interactive activities for students. Seventh-grade students need to think about their future careers now more than ever because of the high school diploma changes, said Sarah Koontz, director of CareerWise Elkhart County. 'They're choosing pathways early, so in eighth grade, they're building their schedule for high school,' Koontz said. 'They're either going to do enrollment, enlistment or employment, and so they'll have to be thinking about that.' The Career Quest event helps seventh-grade students figure out what they like, what their skills are, and knowing what all the options are, Koontz said. Horizon Education Alliance hosted businesses from different sectors to show students they do not necessarily need to go to college to go into a specific field, she said. Career Quest was established in 2019, and has been hosted annually at Northern Indiana Event Center, except during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was canceled. Koontz said the event has always had a similar number of businesses each year, but the size of the event has grown. Each business is now providing multiple activities to showcase different occupations, instead of just one activity. Students also have the opportunity to become an apprentice at different businesses when they are in high school. Season Geans, a senior at Jimtown High School and an apprentice with Surf Internet, said her apprenticeship has helped her get into the business world, which is where she wants to be after school. 'I would definitely say that it's wonderful for the students to get out here and experience all the different jobs,' Geans said. 'I've had a couple students come up and ask about all the different jobs that we offer ... It's definitely amazing to see all of them interested in getting out into the field.' Horizon Education Alliance is a non-profit organization created by Elkhart County education and business leaders. It works across communities for the betterment of the whole county, and holds the belief that education is the key to unlocking the full potential of all residents. A representative of one of the construction companies at the event, Build Your Future, said Career Quest was a great investment of time for businesses and students alike. 'Our goal is to get in front of students, kindergarten through 12th grade, and just help them understand that there's potential careers in the building and trades industry as they go through their schooling,' said Kelly Barr, committee chair for Build Your Future. 'This is the best opportunity for us to get in front of the maximum number of kids, let them try some tools and talk to them about what we do as builders and tradespeople. It's very rewarding to come and engage with the kids.' Career Quest 2025 was supported by diamond sponsor Community Foundation of Elkhart County; silver sponsors Beacon Health, Brinkley RV, Grand Design RV, Ivy Tech, Lippert, Surf Internet, and Utilimaster; and bronze sponsors First State Bank and Nuway Construction.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shikellamy 4x100 relay breaks own record at HAC girls meet
MILTON — Before the Pa. Heartland Athletic Conference meet started Saturday, the girls who make up Shikellamy's 4x100 relay team made a promise they had to keep. Since it was sprints coach Chris Colescott's birthday, the Braves quartet vowed they would set a conference meet record. That promise was kept as they delivered quite a present to Colescott, whom they affectionately call "bossman." Advertisement Emma Koontz, Jilly Deivert, Lily Persing and Sam Newman clocked a winning time of 48.64 seconds, shattering the previous record of 48.81 that Shikellamy set last year. The record-breaking relay highlighted the annual girls conference meet for Valley teams at Milton's Alumni Stadium. The Braves finished third in the team standings with 60.50 points — only Williamsport (110) and Hughesville (61.25) did better. "I feel like we're on (a) good track for our school record again at this pace," Koontz said. "We weren't running this fast last year at this time. So we're on a good pace to get another record." Deivert, Persing and Koontz ran on last year's record-setting relay with graduate Elli Ronk. The quartet took eighth at last year's state meet with a time of 48.82. Advertisement "Three of us had the record last year with Elli, but it was good to get it again with Sam," Deivert said. "(It) definitely gives us a lot of confidence," Koontz added, "but we know how we need to stay humble and keep it moving because there's a lot of other fast teams, too, coming for us." Deivert also took silver in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.93. Central Columbia's Kendra Stout, who was named the meet's most outstanding athlete, won the race in 24.90. Another Brave mined silver as pole vaulter Aly Bingaman cleared 10 feet, 6 inches in her second attempt. Meet champion Kendall Simms of Montoursville also finished at 10-6, but since she cleared it on her first try, the gold medal went to her. Advertisement Bingaman's teammate, Sarah Bronowicz, grabbed pole vault bronze by finishing at 10 feet. Older sister Mya Bronowicz also took home bronze with a time of 47.53 in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Kelsey Deitrich added a pair of third-place results for Shikellamy with her efforts in the long jump (16-2 1/2) and high jump (4-10). Selinsgrove wasn't far behind its cross-river rival, finishing fifth with 56 points. The Seals' lone gold-medalist was Bella Furgison, who threw the discus 127-1 to out-duel training partner Liv Kopitsky of Mount Carmel, who had a toss of 122-3 for silver. Kopitsky did, however, get the better of Furgison in the shot put. The Bucknell-bound thrower recorded a toss of 39-2, beating Furgison's 37-10. "I think it's going to be pretty vital (going into districts)," Kopitsky said of the competition she's faced in recent weeks. "I mean, I have really good competition in both, so I think that both will push me and just make a better competitor." Along with Furgison, a few other Seals had standout days. Gigi Veach took third place in the 400 (58.17) and fourth in the 200 (26.28). Ashtyn Lukens finished as the runner-up in the 3,200 to Williamsport's Madeline Sanders with a 12:00.57. Sanders ran away with the race in 11:09.82. Advertisement Mikayla Martin also collected a silver medal for Selinsgrove after blazing to a 15.31 in the 100-meter high hurdles. Williamsport's Aubrey Phillips-Cobb won the event in 14.74, and broke the event's six-year-old record twice (preliminaries and final). Tessa Fourspring medalled in two field events for Mount Carmel, which finished eighth in the team standings with 42.50 points. Fourspring brought home silver in both the high jump (5-0) and triple jump (35-3 1/2). Milton's Liz Schrock won the triple jump to highlight a day in which she made the podium in all three jumps. Schrock hopped just beyond 36 feet for her gold medal in the triple. Schrock's jump of 36-0 1/2 came on her first attempt, and set a new personal record. Schrock posted a long jump mark of 16-3 to finish as the runner-up to Williamsport's Isabelle Morrow. The Milton junior also tied with three others at 4-8 for eighth in the high jump. Advertisement "Triple jump went pretty well," Schrock said. "My first jump I popped out a big one, PR'ed. Long jump was also pretty good. But at the end of the day, it got tiring. High jump didn't go as I wanted to, but still (got) podium. I'm happy. "I really put in the work this season. I really trained in the offseason also, which I think is what really helped me with all three of my jumps actually. It really showed today." The Black Panthers also had success in the javelin, taking three of the top seven spots. Amelia Gainer led that group with a throw of 117-9, good for fourth. Sienna Short (sixth at 114-6) and Emily Waltman (seventh at 113-4) also made the medal stand. Milton ended up in seventh in the team race with 51.25 points. Lewisburg finished just above Milton in sixth place with 51.50 points. Baylee Espinosa was the lone meet champion for the Green Dragons with a time of 2:15.80 in the 800. Espinosa was one of three Lewisburg runners who made the podium in the 800. Lauren Schwartz and Claire Driver took third and sixth, respectively. Advertisement Caroline Blakeslee and Maddy Moyers ran to second and third in the 100 meters with times of 12.35 and 12.41 seconds, respectively, in a final that featured just five runners. The Blue Jays' Stout blazed to a winning time of 12.25 for her second gold medal of the day. Blakeslee and Moyers, along with Teagan Osunde and Nora Driver, also helped the Green Dragons to second in the 4x100 with a 48.90. Lewisburg's Emma Bolton tied for third with Dietrich in the high jump. Warrior Run's 4x800 quartet of Raygan Lust, Katie Zaktansky, Claire Dufrene and Natalie Hall coasted to first in 9:35.40 — second-place Hughesville crossed the line in 10:00.95. Lust, Dufrene, Hall and Brenna Pick ran a 3:59.62 for third place in the 4x400. The Defenders' lone field medalist was Alivia Ritenour, who cleared 9-6 in the pole vault for fourth place. Warrior Run's 23 team points placed 12th. Advertisement Odin Ryer and Janie Cotner each collected a silver medal for Danville. Ryer ran 2:21.84 in the 800, while Cotner clocked 5:17.56 in the 1,600. Danville finished in 10th place with 32 points. Southern Columbia took 13th with 20 points. Brooke Charnosky had the Tigers' highest finish, throwing 118-2 in the javelin for second. Linsey Donlan finished third in the discus with a toss of 114-5. Mifflinburg was 16th with 15 points, while Shamokin was 18th with two points. Midd-West finished in 19th. ------------ Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference Meet Saturday At Milton H.S. Girls Team standings 1. Williamsport, 110; 2. Hughesville, 61.25; 3. Shikellamy, 60.50; 4. Central Columbia, 60.25; 5. Selinsgrove, 56; 6. Lewisburg, 51.50; 7. Milton, 51.25; 8. Mount Carmel, 42.50; 9. Jersey Shore, 37.25; 10. Danville, 32; 11. Montoursville, 28; 12. Warrior Run, 23; 13. Southern Columbia, 20; 14. Loyalsock, 18.50; 15. Bloomsburg, 16; 16. Mifflinburg, 15; 17. Central Mountain, 9; 18. Shamokin, 2; 19. Midd-West, 1. Advertisement 100: 1. Kendra Stout, Central Columbia, 12.25; 2. Caroline Blakeslee, Lewisburg, 12.35; 3. Maddy Moyers, Lewisburg, 12.41; 4. Camron Roush, Milton, 12.93; 5. Makayla Cerami, Williamsport, 13.06. 200: 1. Stout, Central Columbia, 24.90; 2. Jilly Deivert, Shikellamy, 25.93; 3. Kylie Temple, Hughesville, 26.11; 4. Gigi Veach, Selinsgrove, 26.28; 5. Aaralynn Kimble, Jersey Shore, 26.39; 6. Bella Pistoia, Bloomsburg, 26.49; 7. Cerami, Williamsport, 26.62; 8. Kaia Hoke, Selinsgrove, 26.67. 400: 1. Geiani Whaley, Williamsport, 56.72; 2. Kimble, Jersey Shore, 58.01; 3. Veach, Selinsgrove, 58.17; 4. Katelyn Temple, Hughesville, 59.11; 5. Jasmine Doebler, Mifflinburg, 59.27; 6. Pistoia, Bloomsburg, 59.67; 7. Kaia Hoke, Selinsgrove, 1:00.73; 8. Hayden Snyder, Milton, 1:01.73. 800: 1. Baylee Espinosa, Lewisburg, 2:15.80; 2. Odin Ryer, Danville, 2:21.84; 3. Lauren Schwartz, Lewisburg, 2:23.95; 4. Amelia Grassi, Danville, 2:24.78; 5. Natalie Osborne, Mifflinburg, 2:24.89; 6. Claire Driver, Lewisburg, 2:25.20; 7. Grace Keohane, Central Mountain, 2:25.79; 8. Olivia Stroup, Midd-West, 2:26.77. Advertisement 1600: 1. Isabelle Sanders, Williamsport, 5:09.25; 2. Janie Cotner, Danville, 5:17.56; 3. Madeline Sanders, Williamsport, 5:24.71; 4. Evelynn Meckbach, Hughesville, 5:35.04; 5. Leah Lehman, Hughesville, 5:38.32; 6. Ashtyn Lukens, Selinsgrove, 5:43.38; 7. Haley Conner, Southern Columbia, 5:45.38; 8. Aly Updegrove, Shikellamy, 5:46.23. 3200: 1. M. Sanders, Williamsport, 11:09.82; 2. Lukens, Selinsgrove, 12:00.57; 3. Lauren Benfer, 12:16.82; 4. Laura Ochs, Hughesville, 12:21.85; 5. Hazel Zajack, Loyalsock, 12:25.63; 6. Giavanna Grutza, Central Columbia, 12:26.37; 7. Keiara Shaffer, Warrior Run, 12:30.92; 8. Conner, Southern Columbia, 12:37.16. 100HH: 1. Aubrey Phillips-Cobb, Williamsport, 14.74; 2. Mikayla Martin, Selinsgrove, 15.31; 3. Camden Wasielewski, Bloomsburg, 15.58; 4. Macia Owens, Central Mountain, 16.13; 5. Taylor Bunce, Hughesville, 16.17; 6. Mya Bronowicz, Shikellamy; 7. Shakira Moyer, Mifflinburg, 16.61; 8. Giada Mullay, Danville, 22.95. 300IH: 1. Kylie Temple, Hughesville, 44.83; 2. Haley Bull, Central Columbia, 47.14; 3. M. Bronowicz, Shikellamy, 47.53; 4. Faith Berwanger, Montoursville, 47.75; 5. Sierra DeWire, Hughesville, 49.34; 6. Josie Gerst, Jersey Shore, 49.44; 7. Hannah Magill, Bloomsburg, 49.71; 8. Mullay, Danville, 50.32. Advertisement 4x100: 1. Shikellamy (Emma Koontz, Jilly Deivert, Lily Persing, Sam Newman), 48.64 (meet record: previous mark of 48.81 was set in 2024 by Shikellamy); 2. Lewisburg (Nora Driver, Teagan Osunde, Moyers, Blakeslee), 48.90; 3. Williamsport (Dajea Batchler, Cerami, Phillips-Cobb, Geiani Whaley), 49.35; 4. Hughesville (Katelyn Temple, DeWire, Avery Puderbach, Kylie Temple); 5. Mifflinburg, 50.08; 6. Central Columbia (Kayleah Hostetter, Haley Bull, Quinlan Blake, Hanna Warenda), 50.43; 7. Milton (Adalynne Haas, Roush, Jayanah Jones, Keturah Rice), 50.76; 8. Danville, 51.13. 4x400: 1. Central Columbia (K. Hostetter, Blake, Bull, Stout), 3:58.89; 2. Williamsport (Cerami, Phillips-Cobb, I. Sanders, Noel Veldhuis), 3:59.47; 3. Warrior Run (Claire Dufrene, Brenna Pick, Natalie Hall, Raygan Lust), 3:59.62; 4. Hughesville (Katelyn Temple, Sarah Pidcoe, Alexis Kurzawa, Kylie Temple), 4:01.95; 5. Milton (Aubrie Hostetter, Olivia Heise, Evalynn Keister, Snyder), 4:13.66; 6. Shikellamy (Koontz, Deivert, Persing, M. Bronowicz), 4:13.94; 7. Danville (Cotner, Grassi, Hannah Hafer, Ryer), 4:17.48; 8. Mifflinburg, 4:18.66. 4x800: 1. Warrior Run (Raygan Lust, Katie Zaktansky, Claire Duferne, Natalie Hall), 9:35.40; 2. Hughesville (Alexis Kurzawa, Elizabeth Wolfe, Grace Fortin, Vivian Draper), 10:00.95; 3. Central Columbia (Hazel Hiller, Grutza, Erin Prezioso, Grace Prezioso), 10:41.11; 4. Loyalsock, 10:42.14; 5. Williamsport (Lola Kastner, Johanna Pelly, Noel Veldhuis, Linah Van Emrik), 10:56.86; 6. Selinsgrove (Lake Dent, Kiana Kruskie, Lukens, Danica Taylor), 11:08.09; 7. Bloomsburg (Delaney Zentner, Lauren Halterman, Teagan Serrano, Rori Serrano), 11:08.79. High jump: 1. Isabelle Morrow, Williamsport, 5-2; 2. Tessa Fourspring, Mount Carmel, 5-0; t-3. Emma Bolton, Lewisburg, 4-10; t-3. Kelsey Deitrich, Shikellamy, 4-10; t-5. Hannah Fourspring, Mount Carmel, 4-10; t-5. Jenine Ghayyada, Loyalsock, 4-10; 7. Gabby Jacoby, Shamokin, 4-8; t-8. Vivian Hale, Jersey Shore, 4-8; t-8. Anna Easton Hughesville, 4-8; t-8. Liz Schrock, Milton, 4-8; t-8. Calyssa Shannon, Central Columbia, 4-8. Advertisement Pole vault: 1. Kendall Simms, Montoursville, 10-6; 2. Aly Bingaman, Shikellamy, 10-6; 3. Sarah Bronowicz, Shikellamy, 10-0; 4. Alivia Ritenour, Warrior Run, 9-6; 5. Makenna Golden, Southern Columbia, 9-6; 6. Marissa Mahonski, Montoursville, 9-0; 7. Allie Eberhart, Montoursville, 9-0; 8. Emily Beaver, 8-6. Long jump: 1. Morrow, 16-8 1/2; 2. Schrock, Milton, 16-3; 3. Deitrich, Shikellamy, 16-2 1/5; 4. Ayanna Barbee, Williamsport, 15-10 3/4; 5. Maddyn McHugh, Mount Carmel, 15-9 1/2; 6. Lila Phillips, Montoursville, 15-8 1/2; 7. Jones, 15-6; 8. Roush, Milton, 15-5 1/4. Triple jump: 1. Schrock, Milton, 36-0 1/2; 2. T. Fourspring, Mount Carmel, 35-3 1/2; 3. Morrow, Williamsport, 34-9 1/2; 4. Phillips, Montoursville, 34-7 1/4; 5. Keturah Rice, Milton, 34-2 3/4; 6. Jane Berger, Shikellamy, 34-2 1/4; 7. Jones, Milton, 34-2; 8. Hannah Fourspring, Mount Carmel, 34-1 1/2. Shot put: 1. Liv Kopitsky, Mount Carmel, 39-2; 2. Isabella Furgison, Selinsgrove, 37-10; 3. Zaryah Hawkins-Pegues, Loyalsock, 35-3; 4. Tatum Zarzyczny, Williamsport, 33-3; 5. Nina Steppe, Jersey Shore, 33-2; 6. Lyndzey Hostetter, Central Columbia, 32-10; 7. Abby Mangels, Selinsgrove, 32-9; 8. Gwynn Rowe, Lewisburg, 32-6. Advertisement Discus: 1. Furgison, Selinsgrove, 127-1; 2. Kopitsky, Mount Carmel, 122-3; 3. Linsey Donlan, Southern Columbia, 114-5; 4. Olivia Spotts, Jersey Shore, 104-10; 5. Zarzyczny, Williamsport, 104-9; 6. Alison Bilbay, Jersey Shore, 104-1; 7. Jaslyn Anderson, Central Mountain, 102-10; 8. Marlee Lening, Milton, 101-9. Javelin: 1. Spotts, Jersey Shore, 133-6; 2. Brooke Charonsky, Southern Columbia, 118-2; 3. L. Hostetter, Central Columbia, 118-2; 4. Amelia Gainer, Milton, 117-9; 5. Osunde, Lewisburg, 117-5; 6. Sienna Short, Milton, 114-6; 7. Emily Waltman, Milton, 113-4; 8. Olivia Spontarelli, Shikellamy, 110-0.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
AmeriPro Health Names Adam Koontz as Chief Operating Officer
Seasoned operations executive brings proven track record in business transformation, strategic planning as company enters new growth phase ATLANTA, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 12, 2025 / AmeriPro Health, an industry leader in emergency services, patient logistics, and technology-driven healthcare services and solutions, announced today the hiring of Adam Koontz as the company's new chief operating officer. In this role, Koontz will lead operational strategy and execution across the organization, focusing on driving efficiency, aligning resources, and enhancing service delivery. With two decades of executive leadership experience in the healthcare and emergency services sectors, Koontz will leverage his unique background by introducing standardized tools and processes that streamline operations while enhancing the overall quality of patient care. He will also play an integral role in AmeriPro's ongoing national expansion by identifying and developing best practices that promote and support long-term, scalable growth. Koontz previously served as vice president of operations at Falck, a multinational healthcare company, where he successfully implemented a comprehensive strategy focusing on resource prioritization, cost management, and process refinement, leading to a net turnaround of $5.6 million. He was also instrumental in turning around several underperforming business units, with one division going from losing approximately $600,000 per month to positive monthly earnings of more than $60,000 in less than six months. Koontz also delivered measurable results and growth while holding leadership posts at Atlanta-based Elavon and European transport company DFDS. "I see great alignment between my past experiences and AmeriPro's mission," said Koontz. "This industry is about getting the right care to the right place at the right time. My goal is to build on the strengths already within the organization and implement systems that enhance collaboration, communication, and performance. The ingredients that will drive the next chapter of AmeriPro's growth story are already in place, and I look forward to collaborating with the leadership team as we continue setting the standard for high-quality patient care." Over the course of his career, Koontz has overseen national ambulance operations across 11 states, managing 1,600 employees and a fleet of more than 200 vehicles. "Adam's operational expertise and people-first approach make him an ideal fit for AmeriPro as we continue to grow and scale our impact," said Larry Richardson, CEO of AmeriPro Health. "His vision and unique skill set will help us deliver on our commitment to exceptional patient care and operational excellence in the years ahead. Our leadership team is as strong as ever. With Adam now on board, we are well-positioned to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and seize new opportunities for innovation and growth." Koontz earned his bachelor's of engineering from Vanderbilt University and his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Established in 2018 in the Metro Atlanta area, AmeriPro Health has rapidly grown to more than 1,300 employees in nine states. The company is active in major markets such as Atlanta, Detroit, Louisville, and Jacksonville, with continued growth projected in 2025. SOURCE: AmeriPro Health press release
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Va. Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Koontz, a pillar of the state judiciary, dies at 85
Lawrence Koontz, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, passed away on Sunday. He was 85 years old. (Photo courtesy of the Virginia Mountain/Valley Lawyers' Alliance) Ret. Virginia Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Koontz, a longtime jurist who served on every level of Virginia's court system and helped shape the state's judiciary, died Sunday in Salem, according to a news release from the Virginia Mountain/Valley Lawyers' Alliance. He was 85. A native of the Roanoke Valley, Koontz received his law degree from the University of Richmond and spent more than five decades on the bench, including 16 years as an active Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia and another 13 years as a Senior Justice, making him one of the longest-serving jurists in the commonwealth's history. Koontz was known for his role in the founding of the Virginia Court of Appeals, where he served as the second chief judge and established many of its administrative policies. Among his most notable opinions was his majority ruling in Arlington County v. White in 2000, which applied Virginia's strict 'Dillon Rule' doctrine to prevent local governments from offering health benefits to unmarried domestic partners, including same-sex couples. Later that year, Koontz also authored a dissent in Atkins v. Commonwealth, arguing that individuals with intellectual disabilities should be given special consideration in criminal sentencing. His position was later echoed in the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling overturning the death sentence in the case. In a 2008 dissent in Porter v. Commonwealth, Koontz warned that Virginia's death penalty laws would not withstand constitutional scrutiny if courts failed to rigorously ensure fair trials. Later in his career, he presided over the Supreme Court as acting chief justice due to the illness of Chief Justice LeRoy R. Hassell, Sr. His final opinion as a Senior Justice was issued in Chesapeake Hospital Authority v. State Health Commissioner in 2022. Koontz's judicial career began in 1968 when he was appointed to the Juvenile Court of the City of Roanoke. He was later elected to the 23rd Circuit Court of Virginia and then to the Virginia Court of Appeals upon its creation in 1985. In 1995, the General Assembly elected him to the Supreme Court of Virginia, where he served until reaching the mandatory retirement age in 2011. Koontz's collected opinions were published in a seven-volume set titled 'Jurist Prudent — The Judicial Opinions of Lawrence L. Koontz, Jr.,' with the final volume released in 2017. He is survived by his wife, children, and many grandchildren. Memorial service arrangements are pending. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Axios
11-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Bayer's holistic approach to consumer health innovation
Consumer health innovation is key to addressing challenges, like self-care access, health literacy and holistic wellness. Rachel Koontz, Bayer's head of R&D for consumer health North America and global therapeutics, shares how the company leads the way with sustainable, science-backed products tailored to evolving health care needs. 1. First things first: How does Bayer's mission guide innovation in consumer health? Koontz: At Bayer, we live by the philosophy 'health for all, hunger for none,' centering consumers, patients, and farmers in everything we do. In consumer health, our innovation is rooted in understanding people's habits, needs, and medical insights. As bodies and behaviors evolve over time, our products adapt to meet these changing demands. Access is also a top priority. On the consumer health side, we have set a goal to reach 100 million underserved consumers by 2030. We aim to achieve this by focusing on affordability and ensuring products are available where they shop. Health literacy also plays a critical role. Ensuring people understand how to use our products empowers them to take better control of their self-care. 2. The biggest update: What types of products is Bayer working on to support digestive wellness? Koontz: In the U.S., we launched Iberogast, a digestive relief product. What makes Iberogast truly unique is its formulation. The six-herb blend — featuring Iberis amara, peppermint, German chamomile, lemon balm, caraway and licorice — offers a synergistic effect, addressing a range of occasional digestive upsets. * Our product is different in that Iberogast helps provide relief from occasional digestive symptoms by helping restore digestive function. * 3. The benefits: How do these ingredients work together to support digestive health? Koontz: Essentially, Iberogast helps relieve occasional digestive symptoms including indigestion, fullness, heartburn, nausea, gas, abdominal discomfort +constipation/diarrhea. The herbs work together to help reduce stomach acid, regulate stomach muscles and calm gut nerves. * They also support the gut lining and the microbiome (refers to good bacteria and metabolites) which are important in digestive function. * The combination of these six herbs helps a person relieve these occasional digestive symptoms. * 4. Why now: What makes now the right time for Bayer to bring Iberogast to the U.S. market? Koontz: Two main factors. First, tens of millions of Americans experience occasional digestive health issues. Second, we formulated Iberogast to fit U.S. consumer habits. The liquid product is a tincture where you add drops to a beverage. So, we developed softgels — portable, convenient and aligned with American preferences. This approach ensures we're not only addressing health concerns but also meeting consumers where they are. 5. Take note: How does Bayer leverage science and consumer insights to create impactful health solutions? Koontz: Bayer's innovation combines three key elements: a deep understanding of consumers and customers, medical insights into what's happening in the body, and cutting-edge advancements in ingredients and product delivery. Our team of experts, including doctors, microbiologists, and pharmacologists, collaborates with healthcare professionals to bridge the gap between how consumers feel and what's actually occurring inside their bodies. By pairing this expertise with innovative formulations — like soft gels or better-tasting products — we ensure our products address real needs while delighting consumers. It's this fusion of science and people that drives meaningful innovation at Bayer. 6. Looking ahead: What excited you the most about the future in the consumer health space? Koontz: I'm particularly excited about digital health and how it helps consumers access the data they need to make better self-care decisions. Let me give you two examples. The first is the Bayer Heart Health Risk Tool, which we launched in partnership with Huma. It uses a simple questionnaire to help people understand their future risk of a heart health event. The second example is One A Day Age Factor, which helps defend against cellular aging. Alongside the supplement, we've developed a companion app and diagnostic tool that helps consumers understand their cellular age and empowers them to take steps to improve it. Digital health is an area where I see tremendous potential for Bayer and for the future of self-care. It's an exciting time. 7. The takeaway: How does Bayer ensure its innovations make a lasting impact on both people's lives and the planet? Koontz: Lasting impact comes from centering consumers, patients and farmers in every decision we make. Whether it's designing consumer-friendly products or ensuring solutions fit seamlessly into daily life, we stay focused on creating meaningful, lasting benefits. Our mission — "health for all, hunger for none" — guides every step of this process. Learn more. *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
