Inaugural MedTech awards spotlight Arizona women leaders

The first Influential Women of MedTech Awards gathered Arizona founders, executives, and clinicians in Scottsdale to recognize women shaping medical technology and healthcare innovation. The event also underscored the state’s fast-growing bioscience sector and opened nominations for the 2027 awards.

Why it matters: - Arizona’s bioscience sector reached 41,519 jobs in 2025 and grew at nearly twice the national rate. - The state drew nearly $1.5 billion in venture capital over the last five years. - The awards highlighted women building companies and tools aimed at closing gaps between medical innovation and patient care.

What happened: - The inaugural Influential Women of MedTech Awards took place recently in Scottsdale at the Cattle Track Arts Compound. - Proven Media presented the invitation-only event in collaboration with AZ Business Magazine. - The reception honored women working across medical technology, healthcare, and bioscience. - The event recognized founders, executives, and clinicians shaping the next phase of MedTech innovation.

The details: - The 2026 honorees spanned AI, precision medicine, diagnostics, regenerative science, and women’s health. - Dr. Mitzi Krockover, founder and CEO of Woman Centered, LLC, and co-founder of FemTech AZ, is focused on addressing the lack of women-focused medical research. - The release says only 4% of medical research is specifically focused on women. - Marissa Fayer, CEO of DeepLook Medical, is developing AI-powered software to improve the detection of soft tissue tumors. - Industry veterans curated the honorees with help from regional connectors who helped identify female leaders in the field. - The event was sponsored by Lauren Strait of Proof Real Estate Partners and Bianchi & Brandt. - Proven Media founder and CEO Kim Prince said the series was launched to spotlight progress in MedTech and the women driving it. - Anne Mazet, chief of staff at JETFUEL for Xcellerant Ventures, said the event’s conversations could help accelerate healthcare progress.

Between the lines: - The awards appear designed to turn recognition into networking, deal flow, and future collaboration. - The focus on women in MedTech also points to a broader effort to push more capital, visibility, and influence toward female founders and executives in healthcare. - Arizona’s bioscience growth and venture funding backdrop gives the event local relevance beyond a single awards night.

What’s next: - Proven Media is accepting nominations for the 2027 Influential Women of MedTech Awards. - Nominations can be sent to hello@provenmedia.com. - The honoree list suggests the awards may continue to expand across healthcare startups, research, and clinical leadership.

The bottom line: - The first Influential Women of MedTech Awards positioned Arizona as a hub for women-led healthcare innovation and signaled more recognition to come.