Former BD CEO Ed Ludwig Named 2021 AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Former BD CEO Ed Ludwig Named 2021 AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) today announced that former Becton Dickinson (BD) CEO Edward J. Ludwig will receive the 2021 AdvaMed Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by IQVIA, at the industry’s premier annual gathering, The Medtech Conference 2021, at an in-person and livestreamed event on Sept. 27 at 3:15 pm ET in Washington, D.C. 

Ludwig is a purpose-driven, visionary leader who saw challenges at BD as opportunities. Everything he did was centered around “helping all people lead healthy lives,” according to Ludwig. Under his leadership, the company expanded its global reach, always with a focus on improving the health of people around the world, and a strong commitment to global humanitarian efforts.

“Every year we present the Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who, throughout their career, has had a profound impact on our industry and the patients we serve,” said AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker. “It’s one of the toughest decisions we make every year, since our entire industry is literally defined by its commitment to saving and changing lives for the better. Ed Ludwig dedicated his remarkable career in medtech to doing just that.”

Ludwig was born in the Bronx and grew up in the small town of Norwood, New Jersey, the oldest of five children and the first in his family to attend college. The son of a construction worker, he had summer jobs in construction himself during college, and always understood the value of hard work and a college education.

With a B.S. in accounting and economics from the College of the Holy Cross, an MBA from Columbia University, and a few years of working experience, Ludwig accepted a position at Becton Dickenson as a senior financial analyst in 1979. That job led to an illustrious career, and more than 30 years at BD, where Ludwig would rise through the ranks as head of a diagnostics division, CFO, and eventually CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board. Ludwig retired from BD in 2012, but his impact is still felt in the company and throughout the medical technology industry today.

He was instrumental in bringing the BD BACTEC 9000 system to market, a family of automated blood monitoring and blood culturing instruments, revolutionizing the way blood culturing was performed, ultimately improving patient care and safety for health care workers.

With the goal of developing current and future leaders in the company, Ludwig established BD University, a management-driven leadership development program within the company. At BD, everyone who worked with him could tell you about his focus on diversity and his inclusive management style, seeking out honest opinions from employees throughout the company, and then acting on that feedback to improve the company. 

Ludwig served as the Chairman of the Board of AdvaMed from 2006 to 2008. He had the experience and management style to be able to step back and help guide the organization, always with a focus on what was best for the entire medtech industry.

Ludwig has always made philanthropic causes a priority, and since retiring he has worked together with his family on many causes, donating both time and resources to organizations near and dear to their hearts.

When Ludwig retired from BD in 2012, he didn’t leave the medical technology field behind. He has stayed in the forefront, serving on many boards in the health care industry. He is currently a Director at CVS Health and Boston Scientific.  He has also worked with eight medtech startups as an investor and advisor.

AdvaMed’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors the accomplishments of pioneers in the medical technology sector whose contributions have had a significant impact on patients’ lives and the industry as an essential part of America’s economy.

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AdvaMed member companies produce the medical devices, diagnostic products and digital health technologies that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less invasive procedures and more effective treatments. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.