Celebrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and mentorship in medtech

MedtechWOMEN today announced that Virginia Giddings, Ph.D., vice president of Exploration at Edwards Lifesciences, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Ferolyn Powell Leadership Award, honoring her extraordinary contributions to advancing healthcare innovation, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and fostering diversity in the medical technology industry.

The Ferolyn Powell Award, established in 2016, recognizes a rising leader in medtech who exemplifies the spirit of the late Ferolyn Powell: an inspiring leader, mentor, and innovator who dedicated her career to improving patient care while supporting and empowering others. Dr. Giddings accepted the award yesterday during the annual MedtechVISION conference, which took place at the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, Calif.

Dr. Giddings has spent more than three decades driving transformative innovations in healthcare at leading organizations including Stryker, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, and Edwards Lifesciences. She has played a pivotal role in bringing groundbreaking technologies such as the ABSORB bioabsorbable stent and XIENCE drug-eluting stent to patients worldwide. At Edwards, she leads the Exploration team, forging global partnerships to accelerate breakthrough innovation for patients with structural heart disease.

Equally recognized for her mentorship and advocacy, Dr. Giddings was among the pioneering group of women who helped launch the inaugural MedtechVISION Conference in 2011, elevating women’s voices and leadership in medtech. She serves on the Cornell Engineering Council, chairs the Cornell Biomedical Engineering Advisory Council, and is a faculty member and mentor for MedTech Innovator. She is also a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.

“Virginia Giddings and I first met as we were both starting our medtech careers in Silicon Valley. I've watched her contributions span across academia, startups, and global corporations—alongside an unwavering dedication to innovating for patients while mentoring the next generation of leaders,” said Deborah Kilpatrick, Ph.D., 2024 Ferolyn Powell Award honoree. “Virginia exemplifies a dual focus on both people and products in medtech, reflecting those qualities so deeply embodied by Ferolyn herself throughout her own career.”

Dr. Giddings’ commitment to advancing diversity in the field is equally notable. At Edwards, she sponsors the Edwards Network of Women (eNow), collaborating to expand opportunities for women in engineering and STEM. Her leadership extends globally, having directed diverse R&D teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia to ensure inclusive innovation strategies.

“It is such an honor to be recognized with the Ferolyn Powell Award,” said Dr. Virginia Giddings. “Ferolyn was a visionary who combined technical brilliance with a deep care for people. I hope to continue building on her legacy by advancing meaningful innovation for patients and supporting the next generation of medtech leaders.”

About MedtechWOMEN

MedtechWOMEN is an organization founded by women leaders in the medical technology industry, dedicated to highlighting the contributions of women and advancing the conversation around key issues in medtech. The group’s mission is to foster and promote the role of women in the field and to provide a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and the sharing of best practices to drive the industry forward. For more information, visit www.medtechwomen.org.

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