Using the ‘The Power of We’: Takeaways from MedTechVISION 2024

MedtechVISION 2024, the annual flagship event of MedtechWOMEN, brought together 250 female medtech leaders in Menlo Park, CA. in early September. With the theme “The Power of We,” the event emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the sector’s most pressing challenges. Among the highlights of the conference was a powerful keynote delivered by Brooke Story, former Worldwide President at Becton Dickinson (BD), who shared a deeply personal story that reinforced the critical need for advocacy, trust, and cooperation in healthcare.

A Personal Journey: Advocacy in Action

Many expected Brooke Story to speak about her own cancer journey and were taken aback when she shared a dramatic account of an event barely a year ago that led her to leave her job to dedicate herself to care advocacy: her twin sister Courtney’s stroke.

Courtney Bowie, a lawyer working for Earth Justice, had a history of multiple back surgeries, chronic pain and the lived experience of a healthcare system that would not believe her unseen pain, leading her to not seek medical attention when she felt unwell. 

Finding Courtney barely conscious in her apartment after carotid dissection propelled Brooke into frantic action, knowing that ‘time is brain’ in stroke patients.

The Power of We: Leveraging Networks to Save a Life

“The Power of We,” the conference’s theme, was echoed throughout in Brooke’s account of combining her medical industry knowledge, connections, and ability to advocate in a system fraught with systemic biases and operational failures.

Brooke reached out to her former colleagues at Medtronic, to identify stroke centers, neurologists and neurosurgeons willing and able to perform a thrombectomy— in contrast to the mostly palliative care plan initially offered by the local hospital.  “There is no outcome accountability for not performing an intervention”, she shared with the room.

Brooke’s tireless advocacy didn’t stop there. The impact of the haemorrhagic stroke required several stints in a rehabilitation facility, and readmission for the cranioplasty, so Brooke leveraged her colleagues at BD and professional relationships to ensure her sister received the highest standard of care. She shared examples and even an audio-recording of being faced with dismissive medical staff when her sister was extubated and, less than 24 hours later, was placed in a room with a person who’d been admitted for pneumonia. Brooke’s persistence, coupled with the support of her medtech community and family ensured that Courtney received life-saving interventions and proper rehabilitation.

Overcoming Biases and Systemic Challenges – Recognizing and Using One’s Privilege

Brooke’s account brought into sharp focus the challenges of being a black woman advocating in a system that too often fails to listen to the patient and their loved ones. The most egregious example she shared was about having security called on her for demanding the right to advocate for her sister when she was initially brought into the Emergency Department despite the urgency of needing to treat Courtney with the right intervention at a stroke center as soon as possible. Brooke had to navigate these hurdles while modulating her emotions and her voice/tone to avoid potential arrest and be heard.

“The surgeons are not the problem; it’s everybody else,”

Brooke stated, underscoring that while clinical expertise is available, systemic inefficiencies and implicit biases often lead to subpar care, particularly for women and people of color.

At the same time Brooke’s position, experience and network as global medtech executive gave her a position of privilege that allowed her to make a lifesaving difference in Courtney’s life. She urged the audience to recognize and use their privilege to advocate for others.

A Call to Advocate and Collaborate

Diane Bouis, US Director at MedTech World, who attended the conference, was deeply moved by Brooke’s account. “Brooke’s keynote truly captured the essence of the ‘The Power of We’ theme. Her experience highlights how crucial it is for us to come together—not just as professionals but as advocates, friends, and allies—to drive meaningful change in healthcare. It’s a reminder that behind every decision, there is a human life at stake, and we must use our collective strength to ensure the best outcomes.”

Brooke concluded her keynote by showing a recent photo of herself and Courtney, who, despite still facing physical and cognitive challenges, remains eager to return to practicing law.

The Power of We: A Collective Responsibility

As the MedtechVISION 2024 conference demonstrated, the medtech industry thrives when professionals from all sectors come together to solve real-world problems. Brooke Story’s personal narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that collaboration, advocacy, and community can have on patient outcomes. Lynette Kozuma, Executive Director at MedtechWOMEN emphasized ‘The power of “we” is not just about innovation in medical technology, but about supporting and uplifting one another to overcome the challenges that define today’s healthcare landscape.” 

MedtechVISION 2024 succeeded in bringing these values to the forefront, creating a platform for dialogue and action as the industry continues to evolve and confront its most urgent challenges.

On the Horizon: MedTech Malta 2024

MedTech Malta 2024 is set to be a landmark event, uniting pioneering startups, prominent investors, and top professionals from the medtech sector. Taking place in Valletta from November 6-8, MedTech World’s flagship event offers a unique chance to engage with some of the brightest minds in healthcare innovation. Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with industry leaders—secure your tickets today!