An expert in management and healthcare policy, he was director of communication and international relations for the Unicancer Federation since 2020. A perfect complement to Prof. Roman Rouzier, the establishment’s CEO since 1 July, Michael Canovas will contribute to implementing the ambitious strategic plan established for the five years to come.
A specialist in strategic, financial and social management of healthcare establishments
After studying at the University of Paris-Dauphine and Sciences Po Aix, Michael Canovas graduated from Science Po Paris in health management and policy. He joined Unicancer – the Federation of France’s 18 CLCCs (comprehensive cancer centres) as director of communication and international relations early 2020. Boasting a federative capacity and a strong taste for dialogue, he contributed to reinforcing Unicancer’s institutional presence, coordinated strategic projects and promoted the CLCCs’ agile model with great conviction, in a national context of healthcare system reform. A dual mission consisting in putting forward solid proposals to advance the fight against cancer and to reinforce the humanistic model of CLCCs, which are 100% devoted to cancer care, with a private status yet an exclusive threefold public mission: healthcare, research and teaching at the cutting edge of innovation.
Specialising in strategic healthcare establishment management, Michael Canovas began his career at the medical and financial department of the Institut Gustave Roussy in 2010. He then spent five years conducting financial, social and organisational audits in the field of healthcare for consultancy firms. With this diagnostic experience to his credit, he continued his career for three years as financial director, then deputy director of the Pierre Rouquès hospital in Paris, better known as the Maternité des Bluets, before joining Unicancer.
‘I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed by Prof. Roman Rouzier, with whom I share the same fundamental values. I assume my task with humility and resolution. Whilst the Baclesse Cancer Centre boasts several qualities, many challenges await us, requiring full mobilisation: in order to secure our centre at the heart of territorial cooperation, to support professionals in a context of pressure with regard to human resources, to maintain financial balance, to reinforce patient involvement in our organisation, to boost our impetus towards medical and scientific excellence and, of course, to constantly improve the quality of the care we dispense. Solidarity, humanism and collective spirit, but also agility and a sense of responsibility should all guide our action,’ Michael Canovas stated during the staff general assembly on 3 July.
For Prof. Roman Rouzier, CEO of the François Baclesse Comprehensive Cancer Centre, ‘Michael Canovas’ financial and strategic expertise, associated with his interpersonal and managerial qualities, will be precious to our establishment, which has many a challenge to take on throughout the region of Normandy. We are counting on his experience and his versatility to contribute to federating professionals around our ambitious strategic plan.’