Alexander Eggermont, MD, PhD, the General Director of Gustave Roussy since 2010, has had his appointment at the Head of the Institute renewed by the French Minister of Health for 5 years, with this term beginning October 1, 2015.
Success of 2010–2015 Period
The 2010–2015 period was primarily one in which Gustave Roussy made advances in patient care through an ambitious investment program. “We increased our workload by 15% and established more than 440 posts in care and research, while maintaining budgetary balance and improving our financial situation. Almost 113 million euros were invested to facilitate rapid access to the latest therapeutic developments and to improve the quality of care for our patients,” said Dr. Eggermont.
There are many developments that reflect the success of the Institute’s strategy. They include the construction of a building dedicated to molecular medicine; the creation of the Drug Development Department; architectural renovation of the infrastructure of departments; and the purchase of major equipment for surgery, imaging, and radiotherapy. In addition, there has been an amalgamation with the Chevilly-Larue Hospital Centre and the development of partnerships with foreign centers.
Future Plans
Dr. Eggermont will continue to follow the policies and effect the changes on which he has already embarked, which are incorporated in the Gustave Roussy 2015–2020 Hospital Plan. They are focused on benefiting patients by investment and support for innovation, underpinned by integrated research. He will guide the development of Cancer Campus and the creation of the PRECAN platform for preclinical research in oncology.
His objectives also include the implementation of a robust scientific strategy; the development of the relationship with the Paris-Sud University and the future Paris-Saclay (a research-intensive and business cluster currently under construction south of Paris); to establish a Department of Oncology within the Faculty of Medicine; and the strengthening of international links through the Cancer Core Europe consortium. Dr. Eggermont also wishes to contribute to plans for establishments abroad
(in the Middle East and Eurasia, among others). ■
