Tag archive for: associate dean
Every five years, a new dean’s office team, composed of associate deans and special advisors, is appointed by the dean to represent him or her in carrying out specific tasks. This year, Prof. 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: learn about his background and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You were appointed by the Dean, Ms. Isabelle Laffont. Could 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, or more traditionally environmental science, infectious diseases, critical care, addiction medicine, and a significant amount of technical expertise. It fosters culture, knowledge, and open-mindedness. It is by far the organ most in contact with the environment. It is a difficult organ to explore. One must be fully engaged in this interaction, driven by a desire to understand, to reason, and to generate evidence in order to grasp this multitude of topics; it is also a discipline that inspires humility, with all that this entails in terms of responsibility and ethics to make progress.
How do you plan to balance your duties as associate dean with your other professional responsibilities?
As President of the DRCI and the CRBSP, I have been committed for many years to fostering a culture of science within our faculty. Knowledge is often right there, within reach, and not all problems can be solved by ready-made formulas that cannot be taught. The issue, therefore, is not about balancing activities, but about promoting this vision as much as possible in all activities of the Faculty of Medicine.
What will your contributions and goals be? What projects do you hope to carry out in your role?
The first objective is, of course, educational: research is integral to health-related degree programs, from the assessment of knowledge to the awarding of various degrees and the roles of faculty members who conduct research. The code of responsibility, ethics, and respect for patients are deeply rooted in the humanities and social sciences of the past, and the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty must be a pioneer in this field. The second objective is to foster a culture of research within the Faculty, through its commitments as well as its human and intellectual heritage. In collaboration with the Scientific Advisory Board, the direction of major structural projects, the identification of needs, and the analysis of both successes and failures must help us progress collectively.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
Training through research, a passion for progress, a rejection of mediocrity and the “idiopathic,” and a desire to constantly improve patient care and support—all of which require rigorous and ambitious educational and scientific policies—are the driving forces behind our 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 office team, composed of associate deans and special advisors, is appointed by the dean to represent him or her in carrying out 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 Office team. Following in the footsteps of 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: learn 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’m 21 years old and a fourth-year medical student in Nîmes. This is the first time the vice dean has come from the Nîmes campus. In addition, I am a student representative on the management council and president of ADEMMOOS (the association of student representatives from all programs). Although my future specialty changes from one clinical rotation to the next, I plan to become a surgeon.
You were selected from among ADEMMOOS members to serve as Student Vice Dean, succeeding Théo Lacoste. How did the transition go?
The handover went smoothly, though the start of the term was a bit unusual, particularly given the situation at the national level. We had to organize a protest in collaboration with the SILR, the ACM, and the CCC, whom I would like to thank for their help. The mobilization brought together 400 students, which is a historic milestone for Montpellier-Nîmes. This was followed by the release of our VSS and student mental health surveys, which marks the starting point of a paradigm shift that we are beginning to see.
What made you want to take on this role?
I have been a member of ADEMMOOS since my sophomore year, first as VP of Communications, then as treasurer, and finally as president/VDE. I have always had a strong interest in student representation—in connecting directly with students and being able to help them. Furthermore, working with the dean’s office is very rewarding, especially as part of a supportive and attentive team.
How will you balance your duties as associate dean with your responsibilities as a student?
Let's face it, this is relatively complex, but I knew that when I took on these responsibilities. So you have to be particularly organized, but these positions (president and
VDE) are so exciting. To successfully balance everything, you have to know how to delegate, so I would like to thank the association’s board and, in particular, the general vice president, Soukaina MOUH MOUH, who was elected to the educational council and does work behind the scenes that is all the more essential.
What are your goals and priorities for this term? Do you plan to continue the "Student Well-Being" initiative launched by your predecessor?
Regarding the “Well-Being” project, we have two vice-presidents on the executive board, Emma PETON and Florent BENOIST, whom I have every confidence will fulfill the mission entrusted to them
. They have already organized booths for No Smoking Month and the “Solidarity Christmas” event, which aims to connect students from the Montpellier-Nîmes Medical Faculty who wish to gather for a Christmas meal.
Furthermore, I strongly believe in inter-association collaboration; student associations bring life to our campus and play a structural role at both of our faculty’s campuses. On a personal level, my priority is combating sexual and sexual violence and empowering victims to speak out.
What initiatives would you like to implement for students?
In addition to continuing existing projects such as publishing the back-to-school guides and the Internal Future Forum… I’d like to revive certain projects that had to be put on hold due to the Covid-
,
such as the “reprez’ cafés,” which were opportunities to connect with ANEMF administrators and your local elected representatives. Overall, I believe that national representation is just as fundamental as local representation; for this reason, we have assigned two members to this task: for Montpellier, Zoé DOLADILLE (ADEMMOOS) and Rémi BOURGAUX (ACM), and for Nîmes, Manon VALETTE (ADEMMOOS) and Elise DE LOTH (CCC).
Any final thoughts?
The issue that is particularly close to my heart is gender-based and sexual violence (GBV). What I hope for is greater openness in speaking out, in order to break the code of silence that
prevents victims from speaking up.
Thanks to our surveys and the responses from the faculty, people are starting to speak up; it is up to us not to betray the courage that victims have shown in speaking out.
“The tables must turn.”
Every five years, a new dean’s office team, composed of associate deans and program directors, is appointed by the dean to represent him or her in carrying out specific tasks. This year, Professor Gérald Chanques was appointed Associate Dean for General Affairs, Heritage, and Campus Life. Read his interview here: learn about his background and the projects he hopes to implement as part of his role!
You were appointed by the Dean, Ms. Isabelle Laffont. Could you tell us about your background and your area of expertise?
I took my high school diploma and completed my undergraduate studies in Montpellier, so you could say I’m one-quarter Parisian and three-quarters Montpellier native. I loved my studies so much that it was hard for me to choose a “specialty.” I chose anesthesiology and critical care for several reasons: first, for the interdisciplinary nature of medical knowledge, but also for the human and material resources available within our teams to provide safe care, including pain management and handling the most critical situations.
How do you plan to balance your duties as associate dean with your other professional responsibilities?
This project was developed within my hospital department alongside my colleagues and my department head, who has always supported and encouraged me throughout my professional career. My involvement with the faculty has grown gradually since my appointment eight years ago. I continue to maintain a clinical practice that constantly enriches my teaching and research. Conversely, my understanding of academic institutions shapes all my duties as a university professor. The Faculty and its unique history, as well as the University (I serve on the Committee on Education and University Life and on the disciplinary sections of the Academic Council), prompt me to reflect on every facet of my work, from patient care to teaching and innovation. The societal shift taking place in our relationships with one another—the fight against inequality, sexual and gender-based violence, and so on—represents a major and long-awaited turning point for our institutions.
What will your contributions and goals be? What projects do you hope to carry out in your role?
I gradually came to realize the importance of teaching and passing on knowledge to the younger generation, as well as the importance of having a faculty that draws on multiple campuses (Nîmes and Montpellier, modernity and heritage) and embodies a true university spirit—one that holds meaning for our patients, our students, and society at large. The Faculty has an urban history. It serves as a bridge to the general public.
Our faculty faces many challenges today regarding the organization of the institution, its campuses, and the promotion of its heritage: the university community—students, faculty, and staff—must embrace this past and future history and share it with others, including our colleagues in other university departments, 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 align with today’s demands: innovation, excellence in care, but also addressing vulnerability and access to care. All of this together defines our faculty, and we cannot rest easy unless we strive to address all these challenges. The unity of the leadership team, united around our dean, will be the strength of the institution, involving all its faculty and administration—those from previous teams and those preparing future generations.
What motivated you to accept this appointment?
My desire to contribute to a dean’s office initiative focused on community, kindness, and active listening, with ambitious goals for the institution. I was deeply grateful for this appointment, as 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 (preparing state-regional contracts for long-term renovations to the historic building, studies for the learning center, and liaising with the Faculty and University’s general affairs offices to develop a large number of projects involving institutions, local governments, and businesses as part of the 800th-anniversary celebrations…).
Every year, students elect a representative to speak for them on the Dean’s Office team. This year, Théo Lacoste, a fourth-year medical student at the ADV campus, was chosen to represent you. Learn a little more about him and Ademmoos’s initiatives in this interview! Profile.
Hi Theo, first of all, who are you? Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Théo Lacoste; I’m a fourth-year medical student at the ADV campus. I’m also a student representative on the Academic Council and president of Ademmoos (the student council for all programs). I’m planning to become a doctor, of course, but I don’t necessarily have a specific specialty in mind, other than perhaps something interdisciplinary like emergency medicine. But I’m open to other options—I think it’s important to complete internships in various fields to secure your future!
You are the president of Ademmoos: can you tell us what this organization does?
It’s important to note that our Faculty has multiple campuses and academic programs. Student representation on the various councils is therefore provided by elected student representatives. This is a significant undertaking. So in 2016, we decided to create this association to relieve elected student representatives of the administrative workload (particularly everything related to communication, infographics, etc.) but also to develop projects with other student associations. The goal is truly to bring together, unite, and coordinate the associations and, through them, the students.
The association’s members consist of students elected to various representative councils, but we also have non-elected members. They often contribute very interesting insights from a different perspective during our monthly meetings.
Can you give us some examples of projects coordinated by Ademmoos and other organizations?
Yes, for example, MAP (Montpellier Artistic Project), which is an arts-focused organization. Together with them, we organized an art therapy workshop led by a professional in the field for students, with the goal of helping them cope with academic stress. But the projects we lead or coordinate can also take place outside of our organizations. I’m thinking in particular of the“Dry January”challenge (see Instagram post below) that we recently ran in collaboration with the ICM, or“Smoke-Free Month.”
View this post on Instagram
In addition to being the president of Ademmoos, you are now the student vice-dean. Can you tell us more about your role in this position?
I have three main responsibilities: First, an academic role, which is very institutional in nature. I work closely with the dean’s office, particularly Dean Isabelle Laffont, as well as the teaching and administrative staff, to represent the students’ perspective. This involves regularly attending meetings, but also staying attuned to what’s happening among students and within the faculty environment. I act as a sort of “shuttle” to relay information up and down the chain. I pass this information on to the student representatives, who then share it with the various programs, campuses, and graduating classes.
The second task focuses on the Ademmoos association. I need to establish a “guiding principle” for our term’s policy. I’ll come back to this, but the idea is to distribute key issues among the association’s 40 students: some will handle reforms, others will focus on student well-being or coordination with other associations.
My third priority is really to maintain direct contact with the students. While class representatives may reach out to me for this purpose, that’s not enough—information can get lost along the way. So, I make it a point of honor to organize as many in-person meetings as possible with the different classes to discuss issues, “gauge the mood,” and gather feedback directly from students about their needs and feelings. This information is then useful to me in carrying out my primary academic role, allowing me to represent the students’ interests as accurately as possible.
What are the priorities of your term in office?
There are several priority areas. First, there is a somewhat more academic and administrative aspect, which mainly involves continuing the work of my predecessors: Salomé Duteurtre and Florian Mary. They both worked on what I callthe “Pedagogical Alliance.” That is, the collaborative shaping of our student experience, together with all stakeholders: faculty, students, and the Faculty’s administrative staff.
It seems simple from the outside, but it’s actually quite complex, because we have to reconcile everyone’s views; ultimately, we have to find common ground despite our differences! Nevertheless, this is achieved through everyone’s goodwill and mutual understanding. We must work together and view the issues to be resolved through each person’s perspective, so that the solutions we adopt benefit everyone. This duty to live together is truly essential, and we regularly emphasize this to the entire team—most recently to the newly elected student representatives on the Administrative Council and the Academic Council.
Then there are all the discussions surrounding student well-being. This is a relatively new issue—one that wasn’t talked about much a few years ago and that has been brought to light by the health crisis. Today more than ever, this topic has become our top priority.
But we can’t take action without understanding the full scope of the issue! So we set our first goal to gather students’ opinions and experiences through surveys. We were able to collect over 1,000 responses to our first questionnaire on mental health, which was distributed over the winter— and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who responded! The results of this survey are currently being analyzed. Additionally, a few weeks ago we began distributing a new survey regarding gender-based and sexual violence that students may experience at the university, at parties, or at their workplace or internship, in order to define the scope of the problem and thus identify corrective actions to limit such incidents or even impose sanctions where necessary.
In practice, do you implement measures to promote student well-being?
Yes, from a practical standpoint, we launched a wellness initiative this year with two project coordinators who are medical students (Ulysse Godin and Maribelle Dossou-Yovo). Their role is to organize awareness-raising events. For example, there was a conference on addiction with Prof. Hélène Donnadieu-Rigole, No Smoking Month, Dry January… In March, we’ll have a conference on psychosocial risks and “workaholism.” These events are quite popular with students.
There are also other practical initiatives beyond the “well-being” theme, such as the Intern Forum, led by former Associate Dean Florian Mary, which aims to connect fifth- and sixth-year students with interns so they can share their experiences.
What motivated you to take on this role as an elected official and Vice Dean?
My motivation grew out of my previous involvement, both with Ademmoos and with the ANEMF (National Association of Medical Students in France), because last year I was deeply engaged in issues surrounding the R2C (reform of the second cycle of medical studies) at the national level. This made me want to get even more involved at the local level, addressing the issues we face on a daily basis.
Of course, my conversations with my predecessors also had a strong influence on me. Everything fell into place very naturally after that, as my desire to help the incoming classes guided my decisions. I wanted to see my studies from a different perspective.
That said, yes, it’s very time-consuming. It can sometimes be a bit tough to juggle everything! So it’s important to surround yourself with the right people and know how to delegate. In that regard, I’d especially like to thank Florent Benoist, who is Ademmoos’s General VP and a member of the Pedagogical Council; he really helps me out a lot and enables me to stay organized.
How is someone elected as Vice Dean?
The Vice Dean is nominated by the student representatives on the Management Council. He or she is often part of the list of elected students. The Council then votes in favor of or against the nominated student. This nomination is subject to prior internal discussions within Ademmoos. Once elected, the Vice Dean serves a two-year term, but we often resign after one year to focus on our studies.
Thank you very much for this conversation: do you have any final thoughts?
Yes, regarding one of the priorities of my term: well-being. I’d like to convey the following message: it’s okay not to be doing well. Health students come from a highly selective system where you always have to be the best. Culturally, it’s therefore difficult for us to say when things aren’t going well; we tend to hide our weaknesses. However, it’s not unusual to feel down! There are support resources available on the Faculty’s website. We need to break the silence surrounding this taboo and take advantage of the resources developed jointly by students and the faculty to feel better. Alone we go faster, but together we go further!
Every year, students elect a new Vice Dean to represent them before the Dean and in the various faculty bodies (Management Council, Academic Council, etc.). This year, Florian is taking over from Salomé. Read his interview here: learn more about his background, his role in supporting students, and the initiatives he plans to launch throughout this academic year! An Interview.
Hello, Florian! You were recently elected Vice Dean of Students at the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine. Could you tell us a little more about yourself?
Hello! My name is Florian Mary. I’m currently a senior in medical school in Montpellier, and I’m originally from Perpignan (Go USAP! 🟡🔴).
To put it briefly, you know, I don't think there are any right or wrong choices, but like many others, I haven't decided on my future path yet; I have several specialties in mind, including General Practice.
You are now the Student Vice Dean: what does your role entail?
It’s important to note that the VDE is, first and foremost, a student representative, and like any elected official, my term will last two years.
Our shared responsibility is therefore to represent students before the faculty’s academic and administrative bodies (the UFR, to be precise), whether during council meetings or committee sessions.
Nevertheless, for the next year, I will be responsible for tasks specific to the VDE, which include serving as the primary point of contact for the Dean and faculty representatives on all matters concerning students, and managing the team of student representatives and ADEMMOOS to ensure maximum efficiency in handling various issues and advancing the association’s development.
Furthermore, communication with other student organizations and academic programs within the faculty is essential, whether it involves a project idea, student representation, or facilitating certain exchanges. I believe these connections offer us new perspectives for reflection and allow us to lift each other up.
What motivated you to take on this role? Was this a commitment you wanted to make from the very beginning of your studies?
Before my term as an elected official and VDE, I had already spent two years involved in student organizations, first as a mentor and then as Vice President of Student Affairs at the Montpellier Medical Student Union, driven by a desire to be there to help students.
And I have to say that the experiences and the people I’ve met this year at ACM—whether it’s everyone in my class, the “senior” VP Reprez, and Salomé, of course—have played a big part in that.
I was curious, and I felt this position was a great opportunity to continue contributing to the students and the life of the faculty.
How do you balance your duties as Associate Dean with your responsibilities as a student?
So it requires a certain amount of organization, and last year was particularly helpful in that regard, especially because I was juggling a very demanding schedule of volunteer work and academic studies.
But I set aside my volunteer shifts at lunchtime so I can usually keep my work hours in the evening.
What are your goals for this term? What projects do you hope to carry out?
So our primary goal is to continue the projects started by previous boards, whether it’s the flu vaccination campaign, the Future Interns Forum…
This year, we have a perfect blend of experience and fresh ideas, and it really shows in our projects.
We want to ramp up our communication efforts, building on last year’s momentum—especially through ADEMMOOS’s Instagram (👉 go follow if you haven’t already)—while also staying active on other platforms.
Reforms are, of course, at the heart of our mandates, and well-being and sustainable development are also areas where new ideas emerge.
What are the most common requests from students?
Usually, it’s just about setting up a beer tap in the cafeteria 🙃.
More seriously, these are mainly questions about how our studies are organized and proposals for changes that require discussion with the school administration and teachers.
Student representatives serve as a channel for students to make their voices heard, and this is a theme that runs through many of the messages.
The health crisis is having a significant impact on students' lives right now. Do you have a message you'd like to share on this occasion?
I think that given the times we're living in, it's important to take care of ourselves and others.
Reach out to your family and friends, share your thoughts, chat, and talk with them—but don’t stay isolated. And if you need help, you can always turn to us; there will always be someone there to respond.
And take this opportunity to watch some classic movies—no more excuses for missing out on *The Green Mile* or *Forrest Gump* 🍿.
If students have questions for you or want to bring something to the attention of the management board, how can they contact you?
It’s very simple: through ADEMMOOS’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, or via email 📩 for those who prefer that method at ademmos.elus.etudiants@gmail.com.
Or they can just come talk to us—we’re all really nice and we don’t bite!
One last question: what advice would you give to students who are interested in becoming an associate dean? How can they achieve this, and what do you think are the essential qualities for this role?
So, I think that having experience in the nonprofit sector—whatever form it takes—can be helpful and will give you an extra edge for the job, as well as allowing you to gain valuable experience.
Next, you need to be aware of the amount of work involved and the importance of the position, but don’t worry—good organization and a commitment to doing a good job will work in your favor.
After all, you’re not alone, and being a VDE is, above all, about being part of a team.
Having a great team like the one I’m part of is therefore essential to making this term as successful as possible!
Thank you very much for your time! We wish you all the best during your term and thank you for your dedication!
