Scott Garrett Named 2026 Recipient of AdvaMedDx® Lifetime of Leadership & Service Award

BOSTON—AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, today announced Scott Garrett as the 2026 recipient of the AdvaMedDx Lifetime of Leadership & Service Award, honoring his more than 45 years of leadership across diagnostics, life sciences, medical products, specialty distribution, and laboratory services. 

Established in 2025, the annual award recognizes an individual whose contributions have deeply advanced patient care, set a standard of leadership, and tirelessly advocated for sound diagnostics policy. 

“Scott Garrett has helped define what enduring leadership looks like in diagnostics,” said Zach Rothstein, Executive Vice President of Digital and Diagnostics Technologies at AdvaMed and Executive Director of AdvaMedDx. “Across more than four decades, he has built and led organizations that strengthened biomedical testing, while giving generously of his time and expertise to advance the entire diagnostics community. As the founding chairman of the AdvaMedDx Board of Directors, Scott helped establish the vision, credibility and collaborative spirit that continues to guide our work. We are proud to recognize his extraordinary record of leadership and service with this award.” 

“Diagnostics give patients and clinicians the information they need to make the right decisions at the right time,” said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of AdvaMed. “Scott Garrett has long understood that diagnostics are essential to modern medicine, and he has worked to elevate their importance in policy conversations. His leadership has helped keep patient access to the latest, most precise tools for detecting conditions and guiding treatment top of mind for health care decision-makers. This recognition is well-deserved.” 

Garrett is an operating partner at Water Street Healthcare Partners. He previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Beckman Coulter, leading the company through an eight-year period of value creation and helping establish it as a leader in biomedical testing.  

Earlier, he advanced to group vice president at Baxter International and CEO of Baxter’s global laboratory products business. He later led the buyout of that business and became chairman, president and CEO of Dade Behring. Garrett also founded Garrett Capital Advisors, where he first worked with members of Water Street’s team. 

Garrett is the founding chairman of the AdvaMedDx Board of Directors and continues to serve on the board. He is chairman of Alcor Scientific, Avantik, HCW Biologics and Pathnostics, and a director of MeMed Diagnostics.  

In earning the award, Garrett succeeds Charles “Chuck” Fleischman, the inaugural recipient.  

The AdvaMedDx Lifetime of Leadership & Service Award was presented during The MedTech Conference, Oct. 18-21, 2026, in Boston. 

About AdvaMedDx

AdvaMedDx, a division of AdvaMed, represents manufacturers of in vitro diagnostic tests and technologies. AdvaMed is the world’s largest trade association representing medical technology companies and innovators. 

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