Partnership in Practice: Advancing Physician Education with Siemens Healthineers

Last June, after attending the launch celebration for The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte, North Carolina, I wrote about the power of partnerships and the progress that becomes possible when organizations come together around a shared purpose. That experience reinforced something I believe strongly: the most meaningful advances in healthcare rarely happen in isolation.

This past week, I saw that belief in action through a joint training event between Avanos and Siemens Healthineers hosted at IRCAD North America in The Pearl.

From Shared Vision to Hands-On Education

The event, Innovating Care: RFA Ablation with Precision Imaging, brought together 19 physicians from across the country and four outstanding faculty members for one of our first national lab programs. The goal was to create a hands-on educational experience showing how Avanos radiofrequency ablation technologies can work seamlessly with Siemens Healthineers mobile C-arm imaging to support physicians in their procedural workflows.

What made the day especially meaningful was the collaboration behind it. From early planning through execution, teams from both organizations worked together to design a differentiated learning experience focused on education, innovation and practical clinical application.

Learning by Doing

The program began with didactic sessions led by faculty, covering anatomy, procedural techniques, imaging considerations and applications across areas such as the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulder, hip, knee, greater trochanteric region and SI joint.

In the afternoon, attendees rotated through cadaveric lab stations, each focused on a different RFA procedure. This combination of expert instruction and hands-on practice gave physicians the opportunity to refine techniques, explore workflow efficiencies and experience the technologies firsthand.

Bringing Complementary Strengths Together

For Avanos, the event showcased the strength of our RFA portfolio, including COOLIEF*, TRIDENT* and ESENTEC* technologies. For Siemens Healthineers, it demonstrated the value mobile C-arm imaging can bring to fluoroscopy-guided pain procedures. Together, the technologies created a strong platform for physician education and engagement.

Having spent part of my career at Siemens Healthineers, this collaboration was especially meaningful to me. Relationships built over time matter, particularly when they lead to opportunities that create value for customers, clinicians and ultimately patients.

A Team Effort

I was also proud of the Avanos team. The physicians who attended were recruited through the strength of our sales team's relationships, and the positive feedback we received from both attendees and faculty speaks to the quality of the experience and the need for more programs like this. I am grateful to everyone across both organizations who helped bring this vision to life.

Building on Our Partnership Mindset

In last year's blog, I wrote that partnership is in our DNA at Avanos. This week's event reaffirmed that belief. At its best, partnership is more than a strategy. It is a way of working that allows us to combine strengths, expand our reach and create greater impact than any one organization could achieve alone.

This first national lab with Siemens Healthineers is just the beginning. It reflects the kind of collaboration we want to continue building at Avanos: purposeful, practical and focused on meaningful impact.

Here's to more moments where vision becomes action, collaboration becomes progress and partnerships help shape a healthier future.

Let's keep building that future together.

The agreement with AIP marks the beginning of a new chapter for Avanos. There is important work ahead as we move toward closing, but our direction is clear. The future of healthcare will not be defined by a single breakthrough, but by the decisions we make, and how well we execute them, every day.

Forward-Looking Statements

This webpage contains information that includes or is based on "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "will," or "focused," and similar expressions. These "forward-looking statements" include statements about the acquisition and related transactions, including the timing of the completion of the acquisition and the potential benefits of the acquisition, which reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, Avanos' actual results may differ materially from its expectations or projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual plans and results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements: (i) uncertainties as to the timing of the acquisition, (ii) the possibility that competing acquisition proposals will be made; (iii) the possibility that Avanos will terminate the merger agreement to enter into an alternative transaction; (iv) the possibility that various closing conditions for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement may not be satisfied or waived; (v) the risk that the merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances requiring Avanos to pay a termination fee; (vi) the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the proposed transactions on Avanos' relationships, including with employees, suppliers and customers; and (vii) the other factors and financial, operational and legal risks or uncertainties described in Avanos' public filings with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors" section of Avanos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as well as the proxy statement to be filed by Avanos in connection with a special meeting of stockholders in connection with the acquisition. The information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this release, and Avanos undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the securities laws.

Important Additional Information

In connection with the proposed transactions, Avanos intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement"). The definitive Proxy Statement (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of Avanos. Avanos may also file with or furnish to the SEC other relevant documents regarding the proposed transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Avanos may mail to its stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions.

INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, AND ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Avanos Medical, Inc., its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Avanos' stockholders in connection with proposed transactions under the rules of the SEC. Detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions when they become available. Information regarding the direct and indirect beneficial ownership of the Company's directors and executive officers in its securities is included in their SEC filings on Forms 3, 4 and 5, and additional information can also be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Stockholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC for no charge at the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investors section of Avanos' website at https://www.avanos.com.

Last June, after attending the launch celebration for The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte, North Carolina, I wrote about the power of partnerships and the progress that becomes possible when organizations come together around a shared purpose. That experience reinforced something I believe strongly: the most meaningful advances in healthcare rarely happen in isolation.

This past week, I saw that belief in action through a joint training event between Avanos and Siemens Healthineers hosted at IRCAD North America in The Pearl.

From Shared Vision to Hands-On Education

The event, Innovating Care: RFA Ablation with Precision Imaging, brought together 19 physicians from across the country and four outstanding faculty members for one of our first national lab programs. The goal was to create a hands-on educational experience showing how Avanos radiofrequency ablation technologies can work seamlessly with Siemens Healthineers mobile C-arm imaging to support physicians in their procedural workflows.

What made the day especially meaningful was the collaboration behind it. From early planning through execution, teams from both organizations worked together to design a differentiated learning experience focused on education, innovation and practical clinical application.

Learning by Doing

The program began with didactic sessions led by faculty, covering anatomy, procedural techniques, imaging considerations and applications across areas such as the lumbar spine, cervical spine, shoulder, hip, knee, greater trochanteric region and SI joint.

In the afternoon, attendees rotated through cadaveric lab stations, each focused on a different RFA procedure. This combination of expert instruction and hands-on practice gave physicians the opportunity to refine techniques, explore workflow efficiencies and experience the technologies firsthand.

Bringing Complementary Strengths Together

For Avanos, the event showcased the strength of our RFA portfolio, including COOLIEF*, TRIDENT* and ESENTEC* technologies. For Siemens Healthineers, it demonstrated the value mobile C-arm imaging can bring to fluoroscopy-guided pain procedures. Together, the technologies created a strong platform for physician education and engagement.

Having spent part of my career at Siemens Healthineers, this collaboration was especially meaningful to me. Relationships built over time matter, particularly when they lead to opportunities that create value for customers, clinicians and ultimately patients.

A Team Effort

I was also proud of the Avanos team. The physicians who attended were recruited through the strength of our sales team's relationships, and the positive feedback we received from both attendees and faculty speaks to the quality of the experience and the need for more programs like this. I am grateful to everyone across both organizations who helped bring this vision to life.

Building on Our Partnership Mindset

In last year's blog, I wrote that partnership is in our DNA at Avanos. This week's event reaffirmed that belief. At its best, partnership is more than a strategy. It is a way of working that allows us to combine strengths, expand our reach and create greater impact than any one organization could achieve alone.

This first national lab with Siemens Healthineers is just the beginning. It reflects the kind of collaboration we want to continue building at Avanos: purposeful, practical and focused on meaningful impact.

Here's to more moments where vision becomes action, collaboration becomes progress and partnerships help shape a healthier future.

Let's keep building that future together.

The agreement with AIP marks the beginning of a new chapter for Avanos. There is important work ahead as we move toward closing, but our direction is clear. The future of healthcare will not be defined by a single breakthrough, but by the decisions we make, and how well we execute them, every day.

Forward-Looking Statements

This webpage contains information that includes or is based on "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "will," or "focused," and similar expressions. These "forward-looking statements" include statements about the acquisition and related transactions, including the timing of the completion of the acquisition and the potential benefits of the acquisition, which reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, Avanos' actual results may differ materially from its expectations or projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual plans and results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements: (i) uncertainties as to the timing of the acquisition, (ii) the possibility that competing acquisition proposals will be made; (iii) the possibility that Avanos will terminate the merger agreement to enter into an alternative transaction; (iv) the possibility that various closing conditions for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement may not be satisfied or waived; (v) the risk that the merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances requiring Avanos to pay a termination fee; (vi) the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the proposed transactions on Avanos' relationships, including with employees, suppliers and customers; and (vii) the other factors and financial, operational and legal risks or uncertainties described in Avanos' public filings with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors" section of Avanos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as well as the proxy statement to be filed by Avanos in connection with a special meeting of stockholders in connection with the acquisition. The information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this release, and Avanos undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the securities laws.

Important Additional Information

In connection with the proposed transactions, Avanos intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement"). The definitive Proxy Statement (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of Avanos. Avanos may also file with or furnish to the SEC other relevant documents regarding the proposed transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Avanos may mail to its stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions.

INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, AND ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Avanos Medical, Inc., its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Avanos' stockholders in connection with proposed transactions under the rules of the SEC. Detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions when they become available. Information regarding the direct and indirect beneficial ownership of the Company's directors and executive officers in its securities is included in their SEC filings on Forms 3, 4 and 5, and additional information can also be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Stockholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC for no charge at the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investors section of Avanos' website at https://www.avanos.com.