Wava Truscott, PhD, MBA, appears in Marquis Who’s Who after building more than 20 years of impact in medical education, scientific research and device safety. With extensive expertise to her credit, Dr. Truscott currently holds the title of co-founder and director of regulatory affairs and clinical education for Shield Technology Incorporated and continues to serve as president of Truscott MedSci Associates LLC.
At Truscott MedSci Associates LLC, Dr. Truscott designs comprehensive educational programs that fortify health care professionals’ understanding of microbiology, patient outcomes and staff safety concerns. Shield Technology Incorporated benefits from her regulatory and clinical leadership, which shapes important advancements for the company. Earlier in her career, Dr. Truscott established the Knowledge Network at Kimberly-Clark Health Care, now known as Halyard, and gained wide recognition for strengthening infection prevention measures industry-wide.
Reflecting on her role, Dr. Truscott notes, “Every meaningful change in health science comes from knowledge sharing and collaboration. Supporting health care professionals through robust education leads to improvements for both patients and caregivers.”
Protecting Patients By Improving Medical Glove Standards
Throughout her career, Dr. Truscott has focused considerable attention on reducing risks related to latex allergies and the use of glove powder in medical settings. At SafeSkin, Dr. Truscott chaired teams investigating glove powder as a primary source of surgical complications and heightened infection rates. Scientific results showed that glove powder particles, rich in endotoxin, often became trapped in the body, creating inflammation and increasing the potential for infection.
Collaboration with the United States Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Society for Testing and Materials led to global improvements in manufacturing and guidelines for safer medical gloves. Dr. Truscott explains, “The connection between glove powder and surgical complications required urgent attention. Through partnerships with industry leaders and health authorities, we improved protection for patients and providers.”
The contributions of Dr. Truscott extended beyond domestic health care. She represented the United States in drafting European Union protocols for biocompatibility in medical devices, providing guidance that now influences policy across continents.
Expanding Knowledge Through Scholarship And Service
Dr. Truscott’s legacy includes publishing more than 70 articles in such respected journals as “Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology” and the “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.” After earning a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, Dr. Truscott completed a doctorate in comparative pathology at University of California Davis School of Medicine, where she concentrated on microbiology and immunology. A master’s degree in business administration added depth to her professional credentials.
Alongside a celebrated scientific career, Dr. Truscott supports the American Red Cross and various veterans organizations, affirming a dedication to public service. Dr. Truscott gives credit for her achievements to mentors, professional opportunities and, especially, the steadfast encouragement of her two sons. Looking back, Dr. Truscott says, “Opportunity, guidance and family support have carried me throughout my journey.”
Dr. Truscott continues to influence health care standards, scientific scholarship and community efforts throughout the medical field.
