In the dynamic landscape of France’s healthcare system, women are emerging as trailblazers, shaping the future of medicine, biotechnology, and digital health innovation. From pioneering medical breakthroughs to redefining care accessibility, these leaders embody resilience, vision, and a commitment to improving lives. France’s healthcare sector — a fusion of robust public policy and world-class research — is witnessing a new era driven by female leadership. Here are France’s Top 10 Women Leaders in Healthcare to Watch, who are not just transforming healthcare in France but setting global benchmarks for innovation and impact.
1. Agnès Buzyn – The Visionary Leader Bridging Policy and Practice
Agnès Buzyn stands as one of France’s most influential women in healthcare, seamlessly merging medical expertise with public policy reform. A renowned hematologist and professor, she has dedicated her career to advancing healthcare systems that balance innovation with accessibility. As France’s former Minister of Solidarity and Health (2017–2020), Buzyn spearheaded major reforms that improved hospital management, preventive health programs, and patient rights.
Her journey extends beyond politics — with decades of experience as a medical researcher and educator, she has significantly contributed to cancer and hematology research. As Chair of the French National Cancer Institute, Buzyn led groundbreaking initiatives that made France a global hub for oncology research.
Today, Agnès Buzyn continues to influence international health diplomacy through her work with the World Health Organization (WHO). Her visionary leadership and pragmatic approach to global health challenges make her a symbol of how medical professionals can effectively bridge science, policy, and human well-being.
2. Claire Mounier-Véhier – Championing Women’s Heart Health
Cardiologist Claire Mounier-Véhier is a passionate advocate for women’s cardiovascular health — a field often overlooked despite its global importance. As co-founder of the Women’s Cardiovascular Healthcare Foundation (“Agir pour le Cœur des Femmes”), she has devoted her career to raising awareness about gender differences in heart disease and advancing preventive care for women.
Her organization works tirelessly to educate women about heart health, advocating early detection and access to personalized care. Through research and outreach, she has helped dismantle the misconception that cardiovascular disease primarily affects men. Her campaigns have reached thousands across France, driving national dialogue around gender-specific health disparities.
Claire’s leadership demonstrates how compassion and evidence-based medicine can transform preventive healthcare. Her efforts are reshaping cardiology practices in France and beyond — ensuring that women’s heart health becomes a public priority, not a neglected issue.
3. Frédérique Penault-Llorca – Innovating Oncology with Precision Medicine
Professor Frédérique Penault-Llorca stands at the forefront of oncology innovation in France. A hospital practitioner and research leader, she has been instrumental in developing biomarkers that enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment precision. Her work focuses primarily on breast cancer, helping physicians tailor therapies that improve patient outcomes.
As the Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Clermont-Ferrand and a member of the French Cancer Institute, she has played a vital role in advancing precision medicine. Her vision combines scientific rigor with patient-centered care — ensuring research translates into real-world impact.
Recognized among Forbes France’s “40 Women Shaping the Future,” Penault-Llorca is also an active advocate for diversity in medical research. Her leadership underscores the power of women scientists in transforming cancer care through innovation and empathy.
4. Anne-Laure Morel – Leading France’s Nanomedicine Revolution
Anne-Laure Morel is redefining the boundaries of cancer treatment through nanotechnology. As President and co-founder of Torskal, a French MedTech company, she leads the development of gold nanoparticle-based therapies designed to target cancer cells with unprecedented precision.
Her scientific background and entrepreneurial spirit have positioned Torskal as a key player in France’s deep-tech healthcare ecosystem. Morel’s vision combines nature-inspired science and advanced nanomedicine to create treatments that are both effective and minimally invasive.
Through her leadership, she has not only advanced the frontiers of oncology but also demonstrated how French innovation can drive global breakthroughs. Anne-Laure’s dedication to sustainable biotech and patient well-being marks her as a next-generation healthcare leader to watch in 2025 and beyond.
5. Catherine Martineau-Huynh – Harnessing AI to Transform Radiotherapy
As COO and co-founder of TheraPanacea, Catherine Martineau-Huynh is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence in radiotherapy. Her company’s cutting-edge imaging and AI solutions are redefining how cancer treatments are planned and delivered, enhancing both precision and patient safety.
With a strong background in biomedical engineering and entrepreneurship, Martineau-Huynh has positioned TheraPanacea as a global leader in digital oncology solutions. Her mission is to reduce variability in treatment outcomes by using AI to guide medical decisions — a vision that’s already transforming oncology care in hospitals worldwide.
Her leadership illustrates how technology and compassion can coexist in healthcare. By empowering medical professionals with smarter tools, Catherine Martineau-Huynh is ensuring that every patient benefits from the best of human expertise and digital intelligence.
6. Nawal Ouzren – Empowering Hearing Health Through Biotech Innovation
Nawal Ouzren, CEO of Sensorion, is redefining healthcare innovation through biotech solutions targeting inner-ear disorders such as hearing loss and vertigo. Under her leadership, Sensorion has become a trailblazer in gene therapy research, offering hope to millions affected by hearing impairments globally.
Before joining Sensorion, Ouzren held senior roles at major pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi and Baxalta, where she honed her expertise in rare diseases. Today, she brings that same strategic insight to biotech, driving Sensorion’s growth and partnerships with leading research institutions.
Her journey reflects the future of French biotech — where scientific excellence meets patient-focused mission. Nawal Ouzren’s leadership represents not only technological innovation but also a deep commitment to improving the quality of life through accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions.
7. Cécile Réal – Revolutionizing Endometriosis Diagnosis
Cécile Réal, founder and CEO of Endodiag, is transforming how endometriosis is diagnosed and managed. A biomedical engineer by training, she recognized early on that millions of women suffer for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis — and set out to change that reality.
Endodiag develops cutting-edge diagnostic tools that identify biomarkers for endometriosis, enabling earlier detection and more effective treatment. Under Réal’s leadership, the company has become a global reference in women’s reproductive health innovation.
Her contributions go beyond technology — Cécile has raised global awareness about the urgent need to address women’s pain with scientific rigor and empathy. Through her work, she’s helping to close one of healthcare’s most persistent gender gaps and inspiring a new generation of femtech entrepreneurs.
8. Delphine Moulu – Building France’s Femtech Movement
Delphine Moulu, co-founder and CEO of Femtech France, is not just leading a company — she’s leading a movement. With a mission to accelerate innovation in women’s health, Moulu has created a thriving ecosystem where startups, investors, and researchers collaborate to solve female-specific health challenges.
Her work has helped spotlight topics often underrepresented in mainstream healthcare — from menstrual health to menopause and fertility. Under her leadership, Femtech France has become a powerful advocacy platform, driving conversations around gender equity in healthcare innovation.
Delphine’s efforts are laying the foundation for a future where women’s health receives the research attention and investment it deserves. By connecting talent and purpose, she’s shaping a new generation of female founders in France’s fast-growing femtech sector.
9. Emeline Hahn – Innovating Postpartum and Pelvic Health
Emeline Hahn, founder and CEO of Fizimed, is improving women’s quality of life through innovative medical devices for pelvic-floor health. Her company’s flagship product, Emy, uses smart technology to help women strengthen pelvic muscles, addressing issues such as incontinence and postpartum recovery.
Driven by empathy and data, Hahn’s approach bridges medicine and user-centered design. Fizimed’s products are now widely adopted across Europe and recognized for promoting preventive care through accessible technology.
Her leadership is a testament to how femtech innovation can empower women to take charge of their health. Emeline Hahn is proving that addressing “taboo” health issues with intelligence and compassion can create real impact — making her one of France’s most promising healthcare entrepreneurs.
10. Jeanne Theuret – Redefining Women’s Care Through Hybrid Health Models
Jeanne Theuret, co-founder of Sorella, is reimagining healthcare delivery for women through hybrid clinic models that blend digital innovation with personalized medical care. Her company offers holistic healthcare services spanning puberty to post-menopause, integrating telemedicine with in-person consultations.
Sorella’s model represents the future of women’s healthcare — accessible, inclusive, and technology-driven. Under Theuret’s leadership, the startup recently secured major funding to expand across France and Europe, reflecting growing investor confidence in femtech solutions.
Her vision is to make women’s healthcare continuous and connected, not fragmented by age or specialty. Jeanne Theuret’s innovative approach positions her as a key figure in the evolution of integrated healthcare systems that prioritize women’s long-term wellness.
Outlook: The Future of French Healthcare Is Female
France’s healthcare landscape is evolving, powered by visionary women who are pushing scientific, social, and technological boundaries. From the policy influence of Agnès Buzyn to the femtech innovation of Jeanne Theuret, these leaders represent a powerful shift toward inclusive, tech-enabled, and patient-centered care.
Their stories highlight a broader trend — where women’s leadership is not just reshaping healthcare in France, but setting new global standards for innovation and empathy. As we move into 2025 and beyond, these ten exceptional women are the ones to watch — leading France’s healthcare transformation with purpose, progress, and passion.
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