200+ Industry Partners, Global Regulators, and More Gather in Columbus for MedCon 2026

York, Pa., April 24, 2026 — MedCon 2026 convened this week at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, welcoming 224 attendees from eight countries and four continents for three days of purpose-driven discussions that harmonize different perspectives to inspire collaboration, lead innovation, and make a difference in patient care. The event was hosted by the AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative.

“MedCon is special thanks to the focus on collaborative dialogue between FDA and industry — as well as across industries and functional areas,” said Tricia Young, Strategic Facilitator MedCon-Combination Products Summit, AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative. “The strategic committee curates content that gives participants the opportunity to engage with each other, develop and identify solutions, and leave with action plans to implement key learnings. MedCon is not your traditional conference. It is a true collaborative environment focused on leading innovation and making a difference in the lives of patients.”

This year’s educational program consisted of 58 speakers and moderators across 22 sessions. Speaker highlights included remarks from Michelle Tarver, Center Director, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA and panel participation from the following FDA experts:

• Tammy Beckham, Office Director, Office of Supply Chain Resilience, Office of Strategic Partnership and Technology Innovation (OST), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• Christina Bigham, Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Gina Brackett, Assistant Director, Establishment Assessment Team 1, Office of Regulatory Programs, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• Laureen Geniusz, Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Michelle Glembin, Medical Device Senior Operations Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Bryan Love, Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Barb Marsden, Office Director, Office of Regulatory Programs, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• Karen Masley-Joseph, Senior Advisor, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Susan Matthias, Consumer Safety Officer, Special Assistant, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Melissa Michurski, Assistant Director of Establishment Assessment Team 2, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• Josh Nipper, Director, PreMarket Operations, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• CDR Cesar Perez, Director, Division of Establishment Support, Office of Regulatory Programs, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• CDR Tom Peter, Senior Operations Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Debbie Reese, Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Anne Reid, Office Director, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Katelyn Staub-Zamperini, Medical Device Senior Operations Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Joe Strelnik, Supervisor Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health Inspectorate (OMDRHI), Medical Products Inspectorate (MPI), Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
• Keisha Thomas, Associate Director for Compliance & Quality, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA
• Jeffrey Wooley, Compliance Officer in Establishment Assessment Team 3, Office of Regulatory Programs, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality (OPEQ), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), FDA

The MedCon Strategic Committee curated the educational program with key content themes centered on FDA updates, patient experiences, MDUFA, QMSR implementation, material shortages, the mechanics of an FDA inspection, horizontal legislation in the EU, product software defects, challenges in design development, global harmonization, leadership, and investigator insights. In addition, attendees participated in an interactive Solutions Exchange case study which explored what works (and doesn’t) when working with AI.

The event also featured a preconference workshop on Tuesday, April 21, entitled “What is Your Post-Market Surveillance Data Really Telling You: Methods and Tips to Effectively Apply Risk-Based Principles When Evaluating Post-Market Surveillance Data.” This daylong workshop helped attendees learn how to evaluate post-market surveillance data to make informed, risk-based decisions and effectively implement them.

“The conference has been very valuable on a few levels,” said first-time attendee Jennifer Doubet, Quality Director, Cryosa. “I’ve gotten to meet a lot of industry professional, and they’ve shared a lot of their experiences. This conference is really valuable — especially for startups like my company — to understand what to be ready for.”

Since 2009, MedCon has united the healthcare products industry to work for a better tomorrow for our patients. With a distinct focus on important issues that increase speed to market and product quality through innovation, the event brings together medical device regulators and industry experts from around the world for content-rich conference sessions that include uncommon collaboration, deep dialogue, and sharing. Sign up for information and updates on MedCon 2027 by visiting www.healthcareproducts.org/medcon.

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About the AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative

The AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative is a joint venture established in 2022 between the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) and the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS).  Continuing and expanding upon Xavier Health's legacy, the Collaborative supports idea sharing, innovation, and action across the global healthcare products community by fostering purpose-driven discussions between regulators, industry, academia, and thought leaders about the most pressing issues facing the industry. The Collaborative's distinct events portfolio — which includes the MedCon Conference and Combination Products Summit — highlights just one of the ways the partnership inspires collaboration. This unique blend of mission and values guides purposedriven community building and innovative solutions to make a difference in patients’ lives. www.healthcareproducts.org