Tag archive for: interview
The Mozart Awards for success, which recognize commitment and boldness, have just been presented.
During an evening event bringing together economic decision-makers from Occitanie, awards were presented to regional figures for their initiatives.
The year 2023 honors the dean of our faculty, Professor Isabelle Laffont, by awarding her the health prize.
Please find attached the article from Midi Libre dated November 24, 2023, and links to various articles explaining how the evening unfolded:
and videos: econews, Agence Go Easy
We are very happy for her and proud that the faculty is so well represented!
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice-deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific tasks. This year, Professor Arnaud Bourdin was appointed Vice-Dean in charge of relations with the Clinical Research and Innovation Delegations (DRCI) of the Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospitals. Read his interview here to find out more about his career and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his mission!
You were appointed by Dean Isabelle Laffont. Can you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
Pulmonology is an extremely broad discipline, covering fields as diverse as vascular medicine, inflammation, oncology, allergy, immunology, aerology, and more traditionally, environmental science, infectious diseases, intensive care, addiction medicine, and a good deal of technical expertise. It inspires culture, knowledge, and open-mindedness. It is by far the organ most in contact with the environment. It is a difficult organ to explore. You have to be in touch with it, with a desire to understand, reason, and generate evidence in order to grasp this multiplicity of themes. It is also a discipline that inspires humility, with all that this entails in terms of responsibility and ethics in order to progress.
How do you plan to balance your duties as vice dean with your other professional obligations?
As President of the DRCI and the CRBSP, I have been committed for many years to instilling a scientific culture in our faculty. Knowledge is often there, within reach, and not all issues can be resolved by recipes that are impossible to teach. The issue is therefore not one of reconciling activities, but of promoting this vision as much as possible in all the activities of the Faculty of Medicine.
What will your contributions and objectives be? What projects do you want to carry out in your role?
The first objective is, of course, educational: research is omnipresent in health curricula, from the validation of knowledge to the awarding of various degrees to the missions of teacher-researchers. Charters of responsibility, ethics, and respect for patients are deeply rooted in the human and social teachings of the past, and the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty has a duty to be a pioneer in this field. The second is to instill a culture of research in the Faculty, through its commitments, but also through its human and intellectual heritage. In conjunction with the scientific council, the orientation of major structural projects, the identification of needs, and the analysis of successes as well as failures must help us to progress collectively.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
Training through research, a taste for progress, a rejection of mediocrity and the "idiopathic," and a desire to always provide better care and support, which requires rigorous and ambitious educational and scientific policies, are the drivers of motivation. Today, this is an urgent challenge for our Faculty and, more broadly, for our university hospitals, to ensure not only their legitimacy and sustainability, but also, and above all, their excellence.
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice-deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific tasks. This year, Professor Stephan Matecki was elected president of the Scientific Council. Read his interview here to find out more about his career and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You have been elected Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. Could you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
I am a physiologist, head of the Pediatric Functional Exploration Unit and a research team within the UMR CNRS 9214-INSERM U1046 Unit located at the IURC. I am also co-head of the Master's program in Biology and Health. After studying medicine in Paris, I completed my internship and residency in physiology in Montpellier. I have always been deeply committed to scientific training and supporting our students in their scientific careers. This has enabled me to develop a comprehensive support program for our youngest students by setting up a dual health sciences curriculum designed for all health students. This program was recently certified by INSERM and has been integrated into the national network of Medicine-Science programs at its school. As a member of the Scientific Council, I have also been able to develop this support strategy through a system of early and regular mentoring for all our candidates for university hospital careers, who will be the future of our faculty.
How do you plan to balance your professional activities with those of Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board?
When you love what you do, you don't count the hours. But as a physiologist, my professional obligations are less demanding than those of a clinician or surgeon. What's more, I think that my activities as head of the Master's program in Health Biology and as head of a research team are very complementary to my role on the scientific council. A role which, I should point out, is very much focused on mentoring and providing supportive guidance to our young people who are keen to pursue a career in university hospitals.
What will your contributions and objectives be? What projects do you want to carry out in your role?
I would like to focus on promoting the visibility of our Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine in terms of its scientific policy, in line with the Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospitals, by highlighting its core business, which is training in the field of health, and its driving force, our students. I would also like to step up our support for young candidates through scientific advice, based on a relationship of kindness and mentoring. The aim will be to train them to reflect on their scientific positioning, which will guide them in their future scientific careers. Support for candidates must be put in place as early as possible, which will enable us to better advise and guide them so that they can approach the interview with confidence, as their scientific background and positioning will have been validated in advance. Finally, I would like to continue developing dual health and medicine programs, adapting them to the growing demand, especially since the introduction of the student pathway assessment, which will be taken into account in the matching process.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
Above all, it is a pleasure to give our youngest members all the help they deserve. Their enthusiasm and attentiveness are a real driving force for me, almost like a fountain of youth.
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific tasks. Each year, a student Vice Dean is appointed by their peers elected to the Management Council to represent them on the Dean's team. Following Florian Mary and Théo Lacoste, Paul-Arthur Valet is now taking on the role of Student Vice Dean and President of Ademmoos. Read his interview here to find out more about his background and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
Hello Paul-Arthur, for those who don't know you, could you introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Paul-Arthur VALET, I am 21 years old and I am in my fourth year of medical school in Nîmes. This is the first time that the vice-dean has come from the Nîmes campus. I am also an elected student representative on the management board and president of ADEMMOOS (the association of elected student representatives from all disciplines). Although my future specialty is changing from internship to internship, I have my heart set on becoming a surgeon.
You were chosen from among ADEMMOOS members to be Vice-Dean of Students, succeeding Théo Lacoste. How did this transition go?
The handover went well, but the start of the term was a little unusual, particularly given the national situation. We had to organize a mobilization, in consultation with the SILR, ACM, and CCC, whom I would like to thank for their help. The mobilization brought together 400 students, which is historic for Montpellier-Nîmes. This was followed by the release of our VSS and student mental health surveys, which is the starting point for a paradigm shift that we are beginning to see.
What made you want to take on this role?
Since my second year, I have been a member of ADEMMOOS, first as VP Communications, then as treasurer, and finally as president/VDE. I have always had a strong interest in representation, being in direct contact with students, and being able to help them. In addition, working with the dean's team is very rewarding, especially within a caring and attentive team.
How will you balance your duties as vice dean with your obligations as a student?
It is, let's say, relatively complex, but I knew that when I accepted these responsibilities. It requires a high level of organization, but these positions (president and VDE
) are incredibly rewarding. To successfully balance everything, it is essential to delegate, and I would like to thank the association's board, particularly the vice president, Soukaina Mouh Mouh, who was elected to the educational council and does such important work behind the scenes.
What are your goals and priorities for this term? Do you want to continue the student "Well-Being" project initiated by your predecessor?
Regarding the "Well-Being" project, we have two vice-presidents in the office, Emma PETON & Florent BENOIST, whom I have every confidence in to fulfill the mission entrusted to them
. They have already organized stands for No Smoking Month and Solidarity Christmas, which aims to bring together students from the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine who wish to get together for a Christmas meal.
I also strongly believe in inter-association work. Student associations bring life to our campus and play a structural role on both of our faculty's sites. On a personal level, my priority is to combat sexual violence and allow victims to speak out.
What actions would you like to implement for students?
In addition to continuing existing projects such as publishing back-to-school guides and the Internal Future Forum, I would like to relaunch certain projects that had to be put on hold due to COVID-
, such as the cafés reprez’, which were opportunities to talk with ANEMF administrators and your local representatives.
Overall, I believe that national representation is just as important as local representation, which is why we have two members dedicated to this task: Zoé DOLADILLE (ADEMMOOS) and Rémi BOUCHARD (ADEMMOOS) for Montpellier. Overall, I believe that national representation is just as fundamental as local representation, which is why we have two members assigned to this task: Zoé DOLADILLE (ADEMMOOS) and Rémi BOURGAUX (ACM) for Montpellier, and Manon VALETTE (ADEMMOOS) and Elise DE LOTH (CCC) for Nîmes.
Any final thoughts?
The issue that is particularly close to my heart is gender-based and sexual violence (GSV). What I want is for people to speak freely, in order to break the code of silence that
prevents victims from speaking out.
Thanks to our investigations and the responses from faculty members, people are starting to speak out. It is up to us not to betray the courage that victims have shown in speaking out.
“The shame must shift to the other side.”
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice-deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific tasks. This year, Professor Maurice Hayot was appointed Project Manager for Digital Health and Innovation in Digital Education.
Read his interview here to find out more about his career and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You have been appointed "Digital Health and Digital Education Innovation Officer" by Dean Prof. Isabelle Laffont. Can you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
I am a physician, a physiologist by academic discipline, and a pulmonologist by medical specialty. I am also head of the Clinical Physiology Department at Montpellier University Hospital, which comprises three medical teams specializing in functional, respiratory, metabolic, and pediatric testing.
The main tasks of physiologists are clinical exploration and research into the body's major functions, as well as personalized patient care, particularly through rehabilitation. Digital tools have enriched our practice in recent years.
In the field of digital health, I have contributed over the past ten years to creating and co-directing several training courses within the framework of "ICT and Health Montpellier" ("ICT" stands for "information and communication technologies"), including:
- the Master's degree in "ICT for Health," which has evolved into "Science and Digital Technology for Health,"
- the national Telemedicine DIU bringing together seven universities in France.
How do you plan to balance your duties as a project manager with your other professional obligations?
The field of digital health has become a key focus of my activities, and it is only natural that I will continue to pursue it in this role. I will act as a liaison between the various stakeholders atthe University of Montpellier and its partners involved in digital health, and our faculty, students, and teachers.
What will your contributions and objectives be? What projects do you want to carry out in your role?
The current challenge is to provide all healthcare and medico-social professionals with a foundation of digital health skills covering various aspects that will affect them in their daily professional practice:
- health data, cybersecurity in healthcare,
- telehealth (telemedicine and telecare),
- e-health and digital tools,
- methods of communication between patients and caregivers or between caregivers themselves.
Other professions outside the healthcare sector must also be trained; a master's degree seems to be the most appropriate level for initial training, but a strong emphasis must be placed on continuing education or apprenticeships.
I intend to carry out my mission by creating a strong dynamic within our faculty and atthe University of Montpellier, drawing on the considerable expertise we have gathered in the various departments. The flagship project is therefore to create the "University of Montpellier School of Digital Health" with actively involved partners.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
This issue, which may seem new to some, has always been strongly supported by the presidency ofthe University of Montpellier, as well as by successive deans over the past decade.
Dean Laffont has long been an attentive and encouraging listener in this area, even before she took up her current position. Working together as a team to innovate in education is a powerful driving force!
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific tasks. This year, Professor Nadine Houede has been appointed Vice Dean for Finance. She will soon succeed Vice Dean Messner in this role. Read her interview here to find out more about her career and the projects she hopes to implement as part of her role!
You were appointed by Dean Isabelle Laffont. Can you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
With two doctorates in medicine and biostatistics, I had the opportunity to spend two years in Canada at the end of my studies, which allowed me to gain solid experience in urological oncology and research dynamics. I spent the first part of my career as an oncologist at the Bordeaux Cancer Center, head of the onco-urology department and early-phase trials unit, and an active member of French and American oncology societies.
Currently head of department at Nîmes University Hospital and deputy head of the division, I lead numerous research programs within an INSERM unit in Montpellier and strive to ensure that research advances are made available quickly for the benefit of patients.
How do you plan to balance your duties as vice dean with your other professional obligations?
I am fortunate to be supported by a young and dynamic team in oncology. I hold two positions inherent to my academic status: director of Cancéropole Grand Sud-Ouest, working closely with cancer research teams, and now vice-dean in charge of finance, supporting faculty and student projects.
What will your contributions and objectives be? What projects do you want to carry out in your role?
As the Dean has placed her trust in me with this appointment, I wish to assist her as best I can in the management tasks assigned to me, both in terms of her specific actions relating to DI and DIU and in relation to the university. I will work to achieve a balanced budget in order to offer students and teachers the best possible teaching conditions.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
While I must emphasize that numbers are in my nature, two factors motivated me to accept this position: on the one hand, my gratitude to the faculty that appointed me Professor in 2015 and my desire to contribute all my resources to the pursuit of its actions; on the other hand, the kind mentorship of my predecessor, Professor Patrick Messner.
Every five years, a new dean's team, composed of vice deans and project managers, is appointed by the Dean to represent him or her in specific areas. This year, Professor Gérald Chanques was appointed Vice Dean for General Affairs, Heritage, and Campus Life. Read his interview here to find out more about his career and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You were appointed by Dean Isabelle Laffont. Can you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
I completed my high school diploma and my studies in Montpellier, so you could say that I am one-quarter Parisian and three-quarters Montpellier native. I loved my studies so much that it was difficult for me to choose a "specialty." I chose anesthesia and intensive care for several reasons, primarily because of the cross-disciplinary nature of the medical knowledge involved, but also because of the human and material resources available to our teams to provide safe care, including pain management and treatment of the most critical situations.
How do you plan to balance your duties as vice dean with your other professional obligations?
This is a project that has been developed within my hospital department with my colleagues and my head of department, who has always supported and encouraged me in my professional career. My involvement in the faculty has grown gradually since my appointment eight years ago. I continue to work clinically, which constantly enriches my teaching and research. Conversely, my understanding of academic institutions shapes all my duties as a university hospital professor. The faculty and its unique history, as well as the university (I am an elected member of the training and university life committee and the academic council's disciplinary sections), make me reflect on all aspects of my work, from healthcare to teaching and innovation. The societal change that is taking place in our relationships with others (the fight against inequality, sexual and sexist violence, etc.) is a major and long-awaited turning point for our institutions.
What will your contributions and objectives be? What projects do you want to carry out in your role?
I gradually discovered the importance of teaching and passing on knowledge to younger generations, as well as the importance of having a faculty spread across several campuses (Nîmes and Montpellier, modernity and heritage) and a university spirit with a capital U that is meaningful to our patients, our students, and society. The faculty has an urban history. It is at the interface with the general public.
Today, our faculty faces multiple challenges in terms of the organization of the institution, its campuses, and the promotion of its heritage: the university community (students, faculty, and administrators) must embrace this past and future history by sharing it with others, our colleagues in other parts of the university, our healthcare colleagues, and the general public. Among the general public are potential patients. The image we project of the faculty through our history and heritage must be in line with today's requirements, innovation, excellence in care, but also consideration for precariousness and access to care. This is what makes our faculty what it is, and we cannot rest easy if we do not strive to address all these issues. The unity of the management team around our dean will be the strength of the institution, involving all its teachers and administrators, those from previous teams, and those preparing future generations.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
My desire to help with a deanery project focused on community and kindness, listening, with ambitious goals for the institution. I was very grateful for this appointment because it allows me to continue the work I have been doing for several years with Dean Mondain and Vice Dean Lavabre-Bertrand on complex projects (preparation of regional state plan contracts for long-term work on the historic building, studies for the learning center, liaison with the general affairs departments of the Faculty and the University for the development of a large number of projects involving institutions, local authorities, and businesses in the context of the 800th anniversary, etc.).
