Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit awarded to UM
By decree of the President of the Republic dated December 31, 2020, eleven distinguished individuals—from the University of Montpellier or its partner institutions—have been named recipients of the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit. The university extends its warmest congratulations to them.
Those awarded the Legion of Honor are:
- Yves Martin-Prével, epidemiologist and research director at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD)
- François Pierrot, research director at the CNRS and executive vice president of the University of Montpellier.
- Nicolas Best, Executive Director of Nîmes University Hospital
- Hubert Blain, Professor and Head of the Gerontology Division at Montpellier University Hospital
- Xavier Capdevila, head of the intensive care unit at Montpellier University Hospital
- Thomas Le Ludec, Executive Director of Montpellier University Hospital
- Jacques Reynes, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Montpellier University Hospital
- Patrice Taourel, Associate Professor and Head of the Radiology Department at Montpellier University Hospital
- François Vialla, professor of private law and criminal justice, director of the European Center for Law and Health Studies and Research, and member of the High Council for Public Health
Other figures close to the UM have been awarded the National Order of Merit. Among them are:
- Jean-Claude Gayssot, a former minister and member of parliament as well as president of the Van Allen Foundation, has been appointed to the rank of Commander upon the recommendation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
- Jean-Emmanuel de la Coussaye, Professor and Head of the Emergency Department at Nîmes University Hospital, has been promoted to the rank of officer.