Cylinder Health Taps New CEO to Tackle $136B Digestive Health Crisis

CHICAGO, IL – March 19, 2026 – By Michelle Bell

Cylinder Health, a leader in the rapidly growing virtual digestive care sector, has appointed health technology veteran Terry Boch as its new chief executive officer. The move signals a strategic push to scale the company's operations as employers and health plans grapple with the immense and often overlooked financial and human cost of gastrointestinal conditions.

Boch, who brings over three decades of experience in scaling healthcare technology companies, takes the helm at a critical moment. Digestive diseases affect an estimated 60 to 70 million Americans, driving over $136 billion in annual direct healthcare costs—more than heart disease or mental health disorders. Cylinder Health aims to address this by providing integrated virtual care, and Boch's appointment is a clear bet on her ability to accelerate that mission.

“Digestive health affects millions of people, yet getting the right care is still surprisingly difficult,” Boch said in a statement. “I’m excited to join the team at a time when digestive health is finally getting the attention it deserves and to help scale the impact Cylinder is already delivering.”

A Seasoned Scaler for a Booming Market

Boch’s career is a highlight reel of leading health tech companies through pivotal growth stages and successful exits. Most recently, she served as CEO of the youth mental health company BeMe Health, guiding it through a successful sale. Before that, she was CEO of Clarify Health, a healthcare analytics firm focused on cost transparency and outcomes. Her track record also includes senior commercial and strategic roles at Diameter Health (which was acquired by Availity), IBM Watson Health, and Wellcentive (acquired by Philips).

This extensive experience is precisely what Cylinder’s board was seeking. “Terry has dedicated her career to building health care technology companies that tackle complex problems,” said Robert Garber, a Cylinder Board Member and Managing Partner at investor 7wire Ventures. “As digestive health becomes increasingly recognized as a major driver of health care costs, Terry's deep experience scaling organizations will be invaluable in guiding the company into its next phase of growth.”

The market opportunity is substantial. The global digestive health market, valued at nearly $39 billion in 2021, is projected to soar past $90 billion by 2031. The virtual gastroenterology clinic segment alone is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%, reaching $12.5 billion by 2033. Cylinder competes in this crowded but promising space against other digital health players like Oshi Health, Ayble Health, and Salvo Health, all vying to provide solutions for employers and insurers desperate to control spiraling costs.

The Overlooked Crisis in Digestive Health

The intense investor interest and leadership changes in the digital GI space are a direct response to the staggering burden of digestive diseases on the U.S. healthcare system and workforce. Beyond the $136 billion in direct annual costs, these conditions are responsible for an estimated 42 million emergency department visits and 17 million hospital stays each year.

The impact extends deep into the workplace. A recent survey from Cylinder Health revealed that nearly 60% of employees have missed work due to GI issues, and 72% report decreased productivity when experiencing symptoms. This translates to significant losses for employers, with some studies indicating that employees with chronic GI disorders can lose the equivalent of a full workday per week in productivity. The stigma surrounding these conditions often compounds the problem, with 74% of employees admitting they feel pressured to work through their discomfort.

It is this combination of high prevalence, massive cost, and workforce impact that has made digestive health a top priority for benefit managers and health plan executives, creating a fertile ground for clinically-validated virtual solutions that can demonstrate a clear return on investment.

A Personal Mission to Transform Patient Care

For Boch, the mission to improve digestive care is not just professional; it’s deeply personal. Her perspective was shaped by her family’s own difficult journey after her daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 14. The experience involved multiple surgeries and hospitalizations before her daughter was able to achieve successful disease management as an adult.

“That experience showed me firsthand how difficult it can be for families navigating digestive health conditions,” Boch shared. This lived experience provides a powerful motivation behind her leadership, informing a vision for a more empathetic and effective care model.

She emphasized the potential of Cylinder’s integrated approach, which combines access to GI doctors, registered dietitians, and health coaches through a single virtual platform. “Cylinder’s multidisciplinary approach has the potential to transform how people access digestive care, help many avoid the long, frustrating journeys that so many families experience today, and dramatically improve outcomes,” she stated.

Evidence-Backed Tech and the Path Forward

Cylinder Health has built its market position on a foundation of clinical evidence, a key differentiator in a crowded digital health landscape. The company touts multiple peer-reviewed studies demonstrating its platform's effectiveness. One study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found the program delivered a 5:1 return on investment, driven by an 18% reduction in total medical and pharmacy costs for participants. Other studies have shown that over 85% of users report significant symptom improvement and increased control over their health.

These outcomes are what attract major employers like Texas A&M University and US Foods, who use the platform to reduce healthcare spending and improve employee well-being. With an industry-leading engagement rate of 13%, Cylinder appears to be successfully connecting with the employees who need its services most.

Under Boch’s leadership, the company is expected to double down on innovation and expansion. This includes leveraging technologies like its 2025 acquisition of Dieta Health, an AI-powered stool imaging platform designed to provide faster and more accurate diagnostic insights. By combining a proven ability to scale commercial operations with a personal passion for the mission, Boch is poised to lead Cylinder Health in its ambitious effort to not only capture a growing market but also fundamentally change the standard of care for millions suffering in silence.