Why France is the perfect place to launch a career in healthcare innovation

France has long led the way in healthcare innovation, with significant investments in its health system, and advance research in life sciences and biotechnology.

Under the France 2030 plan, the government has committed €7.5 billion to accelerate the development of biotherapies, medical technologies, and healthcare data systems.

This innovation is especially evident in cities such as Lyon, home to Lyonbiopole, a major health-tech cluster that brings together startups, research institutes including INSERM, and companies working across biotech and digital health.

For Sydney Normand—a former surgical critical care nurse from the US—France offered the chance to take her healthcare career in a new direction. She moved to Lyon to study at emlyon business school, enrolling in what is now known as the MSc in Healthcare Innovation and Data Science.

We spoke to Sydney about how business school helped her pivot into health-tech—and why France was the right place to do it.

You’ll build the tech and business skills to lead change in healthcare

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sydney wanted to pursue a career in health management that would allow her to make a wider impact. Mindful of how technology was increasingly shaping the industry, she wanted to find a program that would prepare her for the future and set her up for success.

“I loved helping one person at a time, it was very rewarding. But I wanted to do something even bigger—that’s what brought me to France,” she says.

Sydney was also drawn to France by family connections—her grandfather had studied at emlyon decades earlier—and saw the program as a way to position herself for long-term success in a changing industry.

“I knew it was a pretty prestigious school, and I found a program that fit exactly what I was looking for. With how technology is developing, it’s important to focus on the future and set yourself up for success.”

You’ll gain hands-on experience in France’s growing ecosystem

In the fast-paced healthcare industry, practical experience can make all the difference—especially for students looking to switch careers or break into new areas such as health-tech. Internships can provide real-world exposure, and also open the door to long-term roles in emerging sectors.

At emlyon, students in the MSc in Healthcare Innovation and Data Science complete a four-to-six-month internship as part of the program. Sydney (pictured right) landed hers at MSInsight, a health-tech company based in Lyon, after spotting the opportunity on LinkedIn. She was originally brought on to support the CEO across multiple functions.

“My role was effectively the CEO’s right-hand person,” she says. “I saw this as a very interesting position, where I could learn across multiple areas from someone who has a lot of experience.”

When the company identified a need for marketing support, her role changed. Despite having no background in the field, Sydney applied the problem-solving mindset she’d developed during the program.

“I’m science-based, but the problem-solving skills that I learned from the program enabled me build other new skills. I’d never done tech, for example, but the program helped me learn how to do it. I’d never done marketing, but I had developed the critical thinking skills and independence to learn about it,” she says.  

After her internship, Sydney was hired into a full-time role at the company—first as a marketing and market access specialist, and today as chief of staff. She believes this ability to adapt and grow was key to her progression.

You’ll develop leadership and teamwork skills  

Alongside technical knowledge, innovation often depends on how well people work together. Effective collaboration, leadership, and communication, bring different strengths together, making ideas actionable.

At emlyon, students in the MSc in Healthcare Innovation and Data Science program build these skills through hands-on projects and team-based learning. For Sydney, one of the most valuable experiences was the Transforming Early Makers project, where students were assigned leadership roles within a simulated startup.

“I was nominated to be CEO of the group and I learned how to manage different parts of a group, and how to work together as a team,” she says.

Her team’s project, Anxicare—a mirror designed to monitor emotional wellbeing in teenagers—went on to win the school-wide pitch competition.

With 30 classes each semester, alongside school networking events and other activities, Sydney also had to develop strong time management and prioritization skills.

“I learned you have to keep up your schedule and set boundaries around when to study,” she says.

You’ll study in one of Europe’s leading health-tech hubs

Lyon is one of the key reasons France stands out for students aiming to launch a healthcare innovation career. 

A hub for academic and clinical research, the city is home to institutions such as INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and Hospices Civils de Lyon, a major medical center and clinical research facility.

Sydney also chose France for its patient-first approach to healthcare—something she found noticeably different from her experience in the US.

“The US is very industry-focused, but it’s not as patient-focused. France has always been patient-centered, and so that was a really nice difference when I came here—to remember that the patient is always first,” she says.

During the program, Sydney regularly attended networking events where she met professionals from a range of healthcare organizations. These experiences helped her explore different career paths and build connections in the local ecosystem.

Today, Sydney works as chief of staff at MSInsight, a Lyon-based health-tech company and member of the Lyonbiopole cluster.

“Startups are booming and there is so much innovation to be done here,” she says. “My advice to students here is to be open to startups. Be open to big businesses. Be open to the opportunities that change from day to day.”

Looking back, Sydney believes the program gave her the confidence to grow into new responsibilities.

“In my job, I have responsibilities I never thought I would have. I’d attribute that to confidence. Students at emlyon should know they wouldn’t get into the program if they weren’t smart—so trust yourself,” she concludes.