Miami-based medical technology company DermaSensor has been named a finalist in the 2026 Digital Health & AI Awards, a national competition recognizing companies advancing healthcare through artificial intelligence, digital health solutions, and breakthrough medical technologies.
The eighth annual awards program attracted more than 1,300 participating companies, highlighting the accelerating pace of innovation across the healthcare industry. Winners are scheduled to be announced November 16, 2026, during the HLTH 2026 conference in Las Vegas.
DermaSensor's recognition in the new Cancer, Screening & Early Detection: Best in Class category highlights the company's development of AI-powered technology designed to help healthcare providers evaluate suspicious skin lesions and identify patients who may need further dermatological assessment.
For South Florida's growing technology and life sciences ecosystem, the recognition represents another example of a locally headquartered company developing medical innovations with the potential for national and international impact.
Recognizing the Next Generation of Digital Health Innovation
The Digital Health & AI Awards have become a platform for recognizing companies developing technologies that address some of healthcare's most pressing challenges.
Organized by the Digital Health Hub Foundation, the program recognizes innovations spanning cancer detection, preventive care, cardiometabolic health, women's health, mental health, remote care, and other areas of healthcare delivery.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into medical decision-making, the awards highlight companies moving beyond theoretical applications of AI toward practical solutions that can be evaluated, validated, and implemented in clinical environments.
The 2026 competition includes multiple stages of evaluation, progressing from quarterfinalists to finalists before winners are selected. Finalists gain exposure to healthcare leaders, investors, industry partners, and other innovators through the awards program and associated events.
For emerging healthtech companies, that visibility can be particularly valuable as they work to secure funding, establish partnerships, and accelerate commercialization.
Bringing AI-Powered Skin Cancer Assessment Into Clinical Practice
Founded in Miami, DermaSensor is developing technology intended to make the assessment of suspicious skin lesions more accessible to healthcare providers outside traditional dermatology settings.
The company's handheld medical device combines elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) with artificial intelligence to analyze how light interacts with cellular structures beneath the skin's surface. The technology provides additional information to assist primary care physicians and other qualified healthcare providers in determining whether suspicious lesions warrant referral to a dermatologist.
In January 2024, DermaSensor received FDA De Novo authorization for its device, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the company.
Unlike consumer-facing skin cancer detection applications, DermaSensor's technology is designed for use by healthcare professionals as an adjunctive assessment tool. It is not intended to independently diagnose skin cancer or replace specialist evaluation and biopsy when clinically indicated.
Its approach addresses an important challenge in healthcare: helping physicians evaluate suspicious lesions and make appropriate referral decisions, particularly in settings where immediate access to dermatology specialists may be limited.
DermaSensor's selection as an awards finalist reflects the growing attention being paid to AI-enabled medical technologies that support clinical decision-making and earlier intervention.
For DermaSensor, the recognition reflects more than technological innovation. It also highlights the company's clinical validation and growing adoption among healthcare providers.
“What makes this meaningful to me is what the judges were weighing: clinical evidence and real-world adoption,” said Cody Simmons, founder of DermaSensor. “We came in with FDA De Novo Clearance, 96% overall sensitivity and 95.5% melanoma sensitivity, comparable to expert dermatologists, more than 45,000 suspicious lesions scanned by physicians, 10 health system customers, and hundreds of private practices.”
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of national accolades for the Miami-based company, further highlighting its progress in bringing AI-powered medical technology into clinical practice.
“This recognition sits alongside the recognition we've earned over the past few years: TIME's 2024 Best Invention list, Inc.'s 2025 Best in Innovation, and Edison and SXSW awards,” Simmons added.
Together, these achievements highlight DermaSensor's growing visibility within the healthcare innovation industry, as the company continues to translate AI-powered technology into practical clinical applications.
From Medical Innovation to Commercial Growth
The national recognition comes during a period of continued business development and commercialization for DermaSensor.
In September 2026, the company announced an additional $5 million in financing, bringing its reported total investment to approximately $48 million. The company has also pursued international expansion, distribution relationships, and partnerships intended to broaden access to its technology.
These developments illustrate the complex path healthcare technology companies must navigate as they move from research and development toward broader clinical adoption.
Unlike many traditional software startups, medical device companies must address clinical evidence, regulatory requirements, physician training, reimbursement considerations, and integration into existing healthcare workflows.
DermaSensor's progress offers an example of how an AI-powered medical device company can work through these challenges while building a commercial business.
As DermaSensor continues to expand its commercial footprint, the company is also inviting additional investors to participate in its current fundraising round through Wefunder. According to the company, a limited extension of its early-bird investment terms offers eligible investors access to the same terms previously made available to its institutional investors. Once the designated allocation is filled, subsequent investments will be offered at a higher valuation.
The fundraising campaign provides an opportunity for investors interested in AI-powered healthcare technology to learn more about DermaSensor's growth strategy, commercialization efforts, and future plans.
South Florida's Growing Role in the Future of AI-Powered Healthcare
DermaSensor's national recognition highlights more than an individual company's success. It reflects the growing opportunities for South Florida to establish itself as a center for artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, and life sciences innovation.
With a strong network of healthcare systems, universities, research institutions, entrepreneurs, and investors, the region is well-positioned to support companies developing technologies that address challenges far beyond the local market.
DermaSensor is not alone in advancing AI-powered healthcare innovation in South Florida. In Boca Raton, ModMed is applying agentic artificial intelligence to another major healthcare challenge: reducing administrative burdens and improving revenue cycle management for medical practices. ModMed's new RCM AI Platform uses specialized AI agents to help streamline billing workflows, address denied claims, and improve financial operations. While DermaSensor focuses on supporting clinical assessment and earlier identification of potentially cancerous skin lesions, ModMed is exploring how AI can make the business of healthcare more efficient. Together, they illustrate the breadth of healthcare innovation emerging from the region.
As AI continues to transform medical diagnostics, clinical decision-making, patient care, and healthcare operations, collaboration between technology innovators and healthcare providers will become increasingly important.
DermaSensor's journey illustrates both the opportunities and complexities of bringing AI-powered medical technology from research and development into clinical practice. From clinical validation and regulatory authorization to securing investment and expanding commercial adoption, the company's progress demonstrates what it takes to move innovation beyond the laboratory and into healthcare settings.
For South Florida's growing healthtech ecosystem, these milestones reinforce the importance of supporting startups throughout their development while ensuring emerging technologies meet rigorous standards for patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and real-world application.
With winners of the 2026 Digital Health & AI Awards scheduled to be announced in November 16, DermaSensor will join other finalists representing advancements across the digital health industry. Regardless of the final outcome, the recognition provides another opportunity to showcase the entrepreneurs, technologies, and companies contributing to South Florida's expanding innovation economy.
Miami-based medical technology company DermaSensor has been named a finalist in the 2026 Digital Health & AI Awards in the Cancer, Screening & Early Detection category. Founded by Cody Simmons, the company developed an FDA-authorized handheld device that uses artificial intelligence and spectroscopy to help healthcare providers assess suspicious skin lesions. With more than 45,000 lesions scanned and approximately $48 million in total funding, DermaSensor continues to expand its clinical adoption and commercial reach. The national recognition highlights South Florida's growing role in AI-powered healthcare innovation, with winners set to be announced at HLTH 2026 in November.