Robert S. Schultz & Jay L. Gruhlkey, MD, FAAFP

Building and Scaling Healthcare Businesses

Accomplished executive leader with expertise in pharma, healthcare, automotive manufacturing & emergent markets / start-ups. Proven track record in sales & marketing management and operations management for driving growth. Proficiency in the development and management with both early and late stage ventures. 23 Years Fortune 100 trained.

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A re-engineered model for healthcare systems that integrates AI-driven software to enhance speed, accuracy, and patient experience in allergy testing and immunotherapy. By streamlining complex processes, the Direct Allergy Program improves outcomes, adherence, and scalability.


Key metric

52 sites across 7 states
Direct Allergy national footprint

Capital

$3.5M+
Raised and deployed

Financial Status

Debt Free
Startup

Worked for

Core Competencies

Cross-functional expertise developed across Fortune 100 companies and startups

Emergent Markets Expertise

Accelerating talent, fast.

Team Building

Collaborate to Elevate.

Strategic Leadership

Empower. Inspire. Achieve.

Financial Acumen

Precision in finance. Performance.

Operation Management

Turning complexity into clarity

Commercial Expertise

Smarter strategy. Sharper tactics.

Innovation and Creativity

Transforming concepts into realities.

Sales Excellence

Reliable results, every time.

Regulatory & Compliance

Mitigate risks. Unleash potential.

Emotional Intelligence

Soft Skills for Hard problems.

MultiFacted Cross Industry Skills

Start-up & Venture Development

Collaborative Problem-Solving & Conflict Management

Deep Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Industry Knowledge

Data Analytics

Medical Devices & Diagnostics Expertise

Managed Markets & Payer Relations

Fortune 100 Automotive Manufacturing Commercial Sales & Marketing

Key Opinion Leader/Influencer Engagement

Adept Communicator

Regulatory Compliance

For Company References

Direct Allergy’s services and customer services are second to none. The clinical staff that provides the allergy services and communicates professionally with the office staff as well as the patients. We would highly recommend Direct Allergy to offer allergy services in any clinical setting!

Joseph Santiesteban, M.D., Allegheny Health Network

Direct Allergy provided service to our Allergy patients over the course of several years. Their quality of service is impeccable and the customer service delivered to our patients is superb. The process by which Direct Allergy offered this service was easy and accurate. The clinical staff interacted well with our patients and were extremely professional with our staff.

Amy D. Barkley, LPN Practice Director, Dayalan & Associates/
A Division of Genesis Medical

Direct Allergy (DA) is fair, honest, transparent, cooperative, creative, diligent, responsive, and focused on the patient experience. Integrity is a quality not always evident in today's environment, but DA exudes integrity. Their willingness to share quality and financial information, train to a level exceeding the required competencies, and truly listen and respond to the needs of their clients makes them a partner worth having - indeed they are truly partners in the care of our patients.

William F. Mills, M.D., MMM, CPE, FACPE, CMSL, FAAFP Senior Vice President of Quality and Professional Affairs

About Direct Allergy

Direct Allergy, LLC is a medical service organization dedicated to 
improving patient access to advanced allergy care. With more 
than 10 years of proven experience and operations across 
seven states, we partner with physicians to deliver on-site 
allergy testing and customized immunotherapy treatments 
directly within their practices.

Our Approach

At the core of our model is the Modified Quantified Testing (MQT) skin test, performed in physician offices through our allergy service centers. Using these results, individualized immunotherapy treatments are designed to address each patient's unique allergies, providing a path toward long-term relief & improved quality of life.

Our Story

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, Direct Allergy has grown into a trusted partner for both primary care providers & specialists. Over the years, our services have expanded while maintaining a commitment to clinical quality, operational excellence, and patient-centered results.

Our Mission

Direct Allergy's mission is to make advanced allergy testing and treatment more accessible, reliable, and effective for the communities we serve.

Innovation, Education, & Community at Work

Penn State University Corporate Partner of the Year

Recognized for meaningful collaboration and support of student innovation.

Educational Partnerships

Ongoing collaborations with students and universities to promote learning, research, and healthcare innovation.

Penn State University Corporate Partner of the Year

Acknowledged as a trusted partner driving forward healthcare innovation and accessibility.

Learn More About Direct Allergy

The Real Impact of Allergic Disease

Affecting 10–30% of Americans, allergies demand awareness, research, and action.

Our Mission

Direct Allergy’s mission is to improve patient awareness on the benefits of allergen immunotherapy testing and treatment while delivering a more accessible, reliable, and effective clinical program for our client’s patient universe.

Learn More

For Personal References

I had the pleasure of working under Bob Schultz during our time at Reliant Pharmaceuticals in their Specialty/Hospital division, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the most impactful leaders I’ve worked with in my career. Bob is a results-driven professional with a sharp strategic mind. He has an innate ability to assess complex market dynamics and translate them into actionable plans that drive growth and performance. His leadership style is collaborative and empowering—he consistently encouraged open dialogue, challenged us to think critically, and fostered an environment where ideas were welcomed, and solutions prioritized.” Bob’s growth mindset and problem-solving capabilities are second to none. Whether navigating challenges in the field or identifying opportunities for expansion, he led with a clear vision and unwavering focus. He modeled hard work, integrity, and accountability every day, setting the standard for our team and always making himself available as a resource and mentor. Any organization would be fortunate to have Bob in a leadership role. He is the kind of manager who not only delivers results but inspires excellence in those around him.

Robert Carlson, Rare Disease Specialty Mgr, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Former Regional Business Leader, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Former Business Leader, Sanofi

I've known and worked with Bob for over 25 years. Bob reported to me at Johnson and Johnson. I also worked with Bob over the past years as a Board Advisor to his company, Direct Allergy, which he founded and managed as CEO. Bob's a tenacious leader with proven track record of success from an individual contributor to CEO. He has deep experience in the life sciences space as an entrepreneur & founder including financing, strategic partnerships, government contracting & reimbursement, sales & marketing, strategy, execution, etc. “Bob has a drive that is unsurpassed in the industry and has a true gift for building high performance teams that execute with integrity and focus. I recommend Bob for any senior leadership role in the life science space. Any company looking for a seasoned executive who leads from the front, is a problem solver with dedication and ethics, then Bob is the leader you are looking for

Jay Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, Delpor, Inc. Chief Experience Officer, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. Former SVP, Strategic Business Operations, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Former VP of Sales, Novartis U.S.

I had the pleasure of working with Bob Schultz at Reliant where he was a top performer and sales team leader. “Bob was focused, intelligent, and a sought-after team leader that was instrumental in leading the company to a very successful brand launch. Bob is tenacious and a business growth minded individual that would be a trusted and competent leader within any organization.

Andrew (Drew) Isaacs, Interstice Therapeutics, Chief Executive Officer Former Vice President, Head of Marketing Operations, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Former GSK Reliant Product Director

I had the privilege of co-founding and building a value-based allergy services company alongside Bob Schultz, aimed at transforming how primary care physicians deliver allergy care to their patients. From the outset, Bob brought a unique and powerful blend of deep industry experience, strategic insight, and relentless execution to the table. Beyond his professional pedigree, what sets Bob apart is his unwavering commitment to building with integrity. He holds himself—and the teams around him—to the highest standards of ethics and performance. His approach to leadership prioritizes culture, mission alignment, and the way goals are achieved—not just the outcomes themselves.

Jay L. Gruhlkey, MD, Co-Founder & CMO, Direct Allergy, LLC CEO, Lonestar Medical

Recognition & Awards

Corporate Partner of the Year

Honored by Penn State Behrend’s Black School of Business

Small/Medium Business Partner of the Year

Direct Allergy, LLC

August 20, 2021

Left to right: Ms. Jana Goodrich, Mr. Samuel P. Black III, Mr. Robert Schultz, Dr.Greg Filbeck
  • Award Recognition

Direct Allergy, located in Knowledge Park, has consistently
employed business students as interns. Students are given the
opportunity to work with a great deal of independence on a
variety of projects, providing a greater opportunity for learning,
and are given experience in training and leadership as they
train their successor.

Penn State Behrend

Black School of Business Annual Awards Ceremony

"Recognizing excellence in partnership and commitment to student development and education."

About Co-Founders

Meet the visionary leaders behind Direct Allergy’s mission to transform healthcare delivery.

Robert S. Schultz ( Bobby )

Robert S. Schultz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Direct Allergy, a nationally recognized leader in allergy immunotherapy services.

With over three decades of executive success across both the pharmaceutical (Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, GSK) and automotive (Ford) sectors, Robert is known as a cross-industry leader, market disruptor, and innovator.

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Jay L. Gruhlkey, MD, FAAFP

Jay L. Gruhlkey, is a nationally recognized leader in allergy and immunology, with decades of experience shaping clinical practice, physician training, and patient care.

He is the Past President of the Pan American Allergy Society, once the largest society for primary care physicians implementing allergen immunotherapy clinics.

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Articles & Resources

Robert and Jay’s expertise has been recognized in healthcare publications, industry
forums, and leadership platforms. Their work offers valuable perspectives on the future of
healthcare, the role of innovation, and the principles of effective leadership.

Robert Schultz on The Future of Allergy Testing: Accurate, Accessible, Affordable

5 min readIntroduction According to the National Institutes of Health, over 220 million people worldwide suffer from some kind of food

Read Full Article
Dr. Jay L. Gruhlkey, right, demonstrates an allergy test with Physician Assistant Jan Dubensky at Lonestar Medical on Tuesday, Dec. 2016

Cedar scourge Pollen could be high this year due to weather

3 min readBy Robin Blackburn The Herald-Zeitung It’s a nemesis with many names, but when it strikes, it’s unmistakable. The pollen

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Ourview

Because competence and experience matter!

About us

Investor Relations

Meet our trusted advisors guiding Direct Allergy’s strategic growth and financial excellence

Matthew J. Minnaugh

CPA/ABV, CVA

Principal and Founding Partner of SKM

Co-Chairman, Direct Allergy Board of Advisors. Investor and Advisor to Direct Allergy Management Team. Mr. Minnaugh is a founding partner of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company, P.C., serving as principal in charge of proactive tax consulting and compliance services. With over 25 years of experience in tax consulting for publicly traded and privately held businesses, he holds certifications as CPA (1989), CVA (1999), and ABV (2007).

Julie I. Kline

VP, Shareholder

Business Lead & SEC Law

As Vice President and Shareholder at Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, Julie specializes in business law and SEC compliance. Her expertise in shareholder relations and corporate governance provides invaluable guidance to Direct Allergy's investor relations strategy and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Contact Investor Relations

Have questions about Direct Allergy’s investment opportunities? Reach out to our team.

Contact Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Direct Allergy?
Direct Allergy is a Medical Service Organization that contracts with Primary Care Physicians to bring allergy testing and treatment in-house at point of care.

Direct Allergy partners with qualified (medium to large) healthcare systems using successful integration processes to deliver “best in class” physician support services for patients who suffer from moderate to severe allergies including allergic asthma. Direct Allergy, in-concert with their clients generate significant incremental and sustainable revenue for the healthcare organization by providing convenient, comprehensive, and customized allergy services at “Point of Care” without disrupting current practice operations and patient flow.

Direct Allergy is a “complete turn-key operation” designed to enhance your practice’s clinical offerings without disrupting current operations.
Your practice will be able to offer a value-added service, providing convenience to your patients and assistance with retention – ultimately increasing your practice’s revenue.
Yes. In fact, not only is Allergen Immunotherapy Testing and Treatment within the scope of Primary Care, currently over 51,000 PCPs offer the services within the U.S. That far exceeds the number of Allergists that also offer similar services. The National Procedure Institute, who is owned by The Texas Academy of Family Physicians supports allergy testing and treatment for primary carry physicians as well as many other procedures.
Option 1: Inclusive, meaning DA absorbs the Start-up Package Costs Option 2: Non-Inclusive, meaning DA & Client Split the Start-up Package Costs
If the Direct Allergy nurse is not available or able to address a question, which is highly unlikely, there is easy access to the Direct Allergy’s Clinical Manager of perations, Direct Allergy’s Chief Medical Officer, and Direct Allergy’s Billing & Coding hotline.
It depends on the # of active patients within your practice. Finding suitable space that is not being optimized is the best course of action. Typically, we need approximately 100 to 250 square feet. In addition, utilizing a “Cart Program” format also helps manage the space program as “ready carts” w/ all supplies are wheeled to shared rooms when necessary.

Say 👋 to Robert S. Schultz & Jay L. Gruhlkey, MD, FAAFP

We’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re a physician ready to bring testing and treatment into your practice, a
patient searching for answers, or a partner exploring collaboration, we’re here to listen
and help. Reach out today and let’s start the conversation.

  • 3856 Avonia Road Fairview, PA 16415-9800
  • 814-882-7104
  • WhatsApp: +1-814-882-7104
© Copyright 2026 Robert Schultz & Dr. Jay Gruhlkey. All Rights Reserved.
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Dr. Jay L. Gruhlkey is Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Direct Allergy, LLC, and a practicing physician in New Braunfels, TX. Widely respected in Allergy and Immunology, he has served as Past-President of the Pan American Allergy Society and has trained thousands of doctors nationwide in allergy testing and treatment through the National Procedure Institute.

Dr. Gruhlkey began his medical career after earning a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and an M.D. from The University of Texas Health Science Center–Houston. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Southwest Memorial Hospital, where he was Chief Resident. His contributions to medicine have been recognized with the Mead Johnson Award for Graduate Medical Education and the AMA Foundation Leadership Award. In addition to clinical practice, he consults on medical and legal matters and serves on several healthcare boards.

Robert Schultz is an accomplished executive, cross-industry leader, and market disruptor with over 3 decades of national award-winning achievements within both Field Sales & Field Sales Management across Fortune 100 companies and emerging healthcare ventures. With over 30 years of experience spanning two major industries—pharmaceuticals (ie. Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, GSK-Reliant) and automotive manufacturing (Ford Motor Company)—Robert brings a unique, cross-disciplinary perspective to healthcare innovation.

Robert began his career in 1987 at Ford Motor Company’s World Headquarters and ended it in Cleveland, OH. He enjoyed four promotions in only four years’ time. He then transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry for a 2-decade cycle with heavy developmental movement with major players like Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, GSK, and Daiichi-Sankyo. His roles included Regional Business Manager, Manager, Research & Consulting, District Sales Manager, Assoc. Manager, Managed Care Analyst, Assoc. Manager, Neuroscience & PCP Training & Development, Corporate Auditor, Managed Care.  In 2011, with the backing of Ben Franklin Technology Partners & his old employer’s Co-Founder (GSK-Reliant), Schultz co-founded and became CEO of Direct Allergy, LLC, where he has transformed a once-fragmented sector into a scalable, patient-focused allergy care platform geared for the large primary care health networks that are now housed within the large healthcare systems (IDNs) nationwide. He led the development and commercialization of the Direct Allergy (DA) service model, navigating regulatory hurdles, the pandemic-era, and the capital markets crisis.  The DA service model has been pressure tested across seven states and 52 + clinical sites, and the company is debt-free.  His commitment to strategic execution, academic collaboration, and community goodwill earned the company the Corporate Partner of the Year Award from Penn State University (Erie Campus) in 2021. Today, with the Black Swan events behind and proof of concept successfully complete, Robert, along with the Direct Allergy Board of Managers, have the company positioned for a positive transition for next level funding.