From December 3 to 5, 2026, Rabat (Morocco) will host the International Francophone Surgery Conference (RICF 26) at Mohammed VI University of Science and Health (UM6SS). Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI and Mr Emmanuel Macron, this event represents a wonderful opportunity for Strasbourg’s medical community to share knowledge and raise its profile.

The Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS), a future partner of the IHU Strasbourg, was inaugurated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Photo credit: Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP)

A United Strasbourg Team

Led by Prof. Albert-Claude Benhamou (president of IHU Strasbourg), a large delegation from Strasbourg will travel to the site. This group exemplifies the strength of the collaboration between the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA), the Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS), and IHU Strasbourg.

Institutional Leadership and Technology Transfer

Beyond clinical advances, RICF 26 will address major economic issues in healthcare. In particular, Prof. Albert-Claude Benhamou will moderate a highly anticipated strategic discussion with health authorities and industry representatives on the topic: “How can we facilitate MedTech transfers within the Francophone economic community?”

Technological and Clinical Innovation at the Heart of the Discussions

The scientific program will highlight the interdisciplinary nature and richness of research in Strasbourg through several key events:

• Artificial Intelligence and Imaging: Prof. Christian Debry (Executive Director of the IHU) will speak on the benefits of AI in surgical practices.
• Augmented Reality: Jean-Luc Dimarcq (former Director of Development at the IHU) will present the latest research on soft tissues.
• Medical Robotics: Prof. Nicolas Padoy (Scientific Director and Director of Research in Computer Science and AI at the IHU) and Prof. Michel de Mathelin (Director of Innovation at the IHU) will explore the connections between robotics and AI. In ENT, Prof. Christian Debry and Prof. François Simon will present the capabilities of the RobOtol® for cochlear implant surgery.
• Biosurgery and Clinical Expertise: Leading experts from our ecosystem will share their latest innovations, including presentations by Prof. Jean Sibilia on interventional rheumatology and Prof. Carole Mathelin on senology.

Diplomatic and Humanitarian Impact

Strasbourg’s influence will also extend to international public health initiatives. Prof. Christian Debry will moderate a session dedicated to the “NASMAA National Cochlear Implant Program Expanded to Africa.”

A Long-Term Partnership Between Rabat and Strasbourg

The highlight of this visit will take place on Saturday, December 5, with the official signing of an international partnership agreement between “Rabat and Strasbourg.” This five-year agreement will link the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS) with the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA), the Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS), and IHU Strasbourg. It will enable the launch of new joint research programs, the organization of joint training initiatives, and the facilitation of student and researcher exchanges between our two countries.

Check out the full program of our presentations at RICF 26 (in French)

This Thursday, October 15, 2026, the National and University Library (BNU) will host the 3rd Strasbourg Health Research Conference. On this occasion, Prof. Christian Debry, Director General of the IHU Strasbourg, will present an overview of the institute’s current status and its new goals within the framework of Strasbourg’s strategic plan.

A catalyst for innovation rooted in the Alsatian ecosystem

With strong support from institutions and local authorities—the Eurométropole de Strasbourg, the European Community of Alsace, and the Grand Est Region—this model embodies a unique continuum between research, education, commercialization, and patient care. Its mission addresses a dual objective: to accelerate the transfer of innovations to patients to personalize their care, reduce the risk of complications, and improve their quality of life, while actively contributing to the growth of France’s medical technology industry.

Artificial Intelligence and Biosurgery: Pioneering Surgery 4.0

During the segment dedicated to the Strasbourg strategic project, Prof. Christian Debry will outline the IHU Strasbourg’s roadmap for shaping “Surgery 4.0”: a minimally invasive, image-guided practice enhanced by digital technologies and robotics.

• The integration of artificial intelligence into the operating room: developed by the team led by Professor Nicolas Padoy, a pillar of the ENACT National AI Cluster (Nancy–Strasbourg), these new approaches aim to assist surgical teams in real time.

• The rise of regenerative biosurgery: Advances in surgical practices will incorporate innovative concepts based on the use of biomaterials developed directly within the Strasbourg-based Inserm Joint Research Units (UMRs).

Event: 3rd Strasbourg Health Research Conference
Date and time: Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Presentation by Prof. Christian Debry starting at 2:00 p.m.: “The Strasbourg Strategic Project: Current Status – Our IHU”)
Location: BNU Auditorium, 6 Place de la République, Strasbourg (Free admission, subject to availability)

Programme des 3es Rencontres de la Recherche en Santé de Strasbourg (2026) (in French)

35th Anniversary of the Force Foundation: The Alsatian Healthcare Ecosystem Celebrates Its Award Recipients

Photo credit: Nis&For

On Tuesday, June 16, the National Institute of Public Service in Strasbourg hosted the annual awards ceremony for the Force Foundation’s Health Innovation and Research Awards. Organized under the leadership of Prof. Jean Sibilia, president of the Foundation, and his team, this event marked a historic milestone: the 35th anniversary of this recognized public-interest institution’s commitment.

Photo credit: Nis&For

This anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to celebrate the richness and collective strength of the Alsatian healthcare ecosystem by highlighting the projects selected for the 2026 edition.

Congratulations to the seven winners who are shaping the future of medicine: Romain Kessler, Romeo Ricci, Julie Helms, Ariane Zaloszyc, Jérémie Rey, as well as the innovative companies Neolys Diagnostics and Smartbiotic.

To mark this 35th anniversary, the Foundation also awarded its first “Force Medals,” intended to recognize exceptional scientific careers. Upon the recommendation of the Scientific Council, chaired by Nobel Prize in Medicine laureate Jules Hoffmann, the Robert Lohr Medal was awarded to Thomas Baumert in recognition of his lifetime of research. The Jules Hoffmann Medal was awarded to two young researchers for their promising discoveries: Claire Villette and François Lecomte-Denis.

As witnesses to and advocates of this regional initiative, Professor Christian Debry, director of the IHU, shared the stage with Samir Henni, CEO of the Strasbourg University Hospitals, to lead a panel discussion with Franck Mouthon, former president of France Biotech, who highlighted the exemplary nature of Alsace’s partnership network for health research and innovation.

Photo credit: Nis&For

Learn more about the Force Foundation: https://fondation-force.fr

Or Norme Behind the Scenes of an “extra ordinary” institute

Augmented surgery, research, innovation, training, startups, ethics and environmental issues: IHU Strasbourg is featured in a special issue of Or Norme magazine. Through 100 pages of interviews, in-depth analyses, and photographs, discover from a fresh perspective a dedicated team and a unique ecosystem where clinicians, researchers, engineers, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs combine their expertise to accelerate surgical innovation.

You can also view the full-page special issue of Or Norme magazine dedicated to the IHU Strasbourg.
Only in french.

The DATA-SURGE University Hospital Federation (FHU) is hosting its first annual seminar on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Agora of Hautepierre Hospital (Strasbourg University Hospitals).

A hub for medical innovation

This event offers a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals, researchers, engineers, and innovation leaders to come together to address the critical challenges of leveraging health data. Led by Prof. Éric Noll, the DATA-SURGE project (Data Sciences and e-health for Perioperative Medicine) is emerging as a driving force behind the digital transformation of perioperative medicine.

In a global context where surgical activity is growing significantly, optimizing postoperative recovery has become a top public health priority. This is the challenge that the DATA-SURGE FHU addresses.

DATA-SURGE: A Combination of Leading Expertise

The strength of this university-hospital project lies in an unprecedented interdisciplinary synergy among four centers of expertise:

• Scientific excellence: researchers at the forefront of complex database processing, including the Clinical Research Methods Group (GMRC), the iCube laboratory, and the IMAGeS
• Clinical practice: clinicians well-versed in translational research projects, from the departments of surgery (gastrointestinal, orthopedic, pediatric, gynecological), anesthesiology and intensive care, and diabetology.
• Security and ethics: rigorous compliance with the regulatory framework (GDPR), under the supervision of the HUS Data Protection Officer (DPO).
• The patient’s voice: the central integration of patient experts and user representatives to ensure human-centered innovation.

Toward a Revolution in Perioperative Care

By applying machine learning techniques to vast datasets, DATA-SURGE aims to personalize monitoring, predict complications, and optimize the efficiency of technical facilities. This seminar will highlight pioneering initiatives such as the OPTIMISTE program, which uses patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) as a fundamental source of clinical data.

The project is also part of a robust training initiative, integrating health informatics into the curricula of the University of Strasbourg, Télécom Physique Strasbourg, and the Interdisciplinary Thematic Institute for Information Sciences and Technologies in Health (ITI HealthTech).

Practical Information

The seminar is organized by the Strasbourg University Hospitals, Inserm, and the University of Strasbourg.

• Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: L’Agora – Hautepierre Hospitals, Strasbourg
• Registration required: www.chru-strasbourg.fr/seminaire-annuel-du-fhu-data-surge-2026/

Join this collective effort and discover how data analysis is revolutionizing the daily work of healthcare providers and the patient experience.