The future HBCU medical school will be an
anchor of the BioDistrict, helping to grow the city's economy,
train more physicians and bring healthcare diversity to the Gulf
South
NEW
ORLEANS, April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Xavier
University of Louisiana (Xavier), a leading undergraduate institution in
preparing Black students to successfully complete medical school,
has announced continued progress with Ochsner Health (Ochsner), the
Gulf South's leading academic medical center in training
physicians, to launch their transformational Xavier Ochsner College
of Medicine (XOCOM). This groundbreaking partnership marks a
significant milestone in advancing medical education by addressing
health disparities in diverse communities and helping fulfill the
urgent need for more physicians in Louisiana and the nation. The new medical
school will be in the burgeoning BioDistrict New Orleans, located
downtown in Benson Tower next to Caesars Superdome.
"With the establishment of the Xavier Ochsner College of
Medicine, Ochsner and Xavier aim to
address long-standing health disparities and foster stronger,
healthier communities in pursuit of the mission to promote a more
just and humane society gifted to Xavier nearly 100 years ago by our foundress, St.
Katharine Drexel and her Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament," said
Dr. Reynold Verret, President of
Xavier University of Louisiana.
"Our partnership with Ochsner affirms our commitment to advancing
health equity and excellence. XOCOM will provide cutting-edge
medical training and biomedical research and, through a culture of
mentorship and leadership, empower our students to be agents of
change in healthcare."
At a XOCOM signing celebration on April
29, 2024, Xavier and Ochsner
officials announced that Dr. Leonardo
Seoane, MD, FACP, Executive Vice President and Chief
Academic Officer of Ochsner Health, will serve as the new HBCU
medical school's founding dean.
"Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine was born from a truly
collaborative vision between Xavier University
of Louisiana and Ochsner Health. It epitomizes our
collective dedication to providing academic excellence in training
the next generation of physicians, while fostering healthcare
equity in New Orleans and
throughout the United States,"
said Dr. Seoane, Dean of Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine.
"By addressing the critical shortage of physicians in standing up
this HBCU medical school in the Gulf South, XOCOM will pursue
diversity in medicine and ensure equitable representation in
healthcare to better serve our communities for generations to
come."
The announcement follows votes by the Xavier University of Louisiana Board of Trustees
and the Ochsner Health Board of Directors in February to approve
the formation of the new medical school. On Monday, officials
announced XOCOM's founding board of directors, which includes
Xavier and Ochsner appointees:
- C. Reynold Verret, PhD,
President, Xavier University of
Louisiana
- Pete November, CEO, Ochsner
Health
- Trevonne M. Thompson, M.D.,
FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT, Associate Dean, Admissions, University of Illinois College of Medicine
- Matthew Block, Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer, Ochsner
Health
- Gary C. Butts, M.D., Executive Vice President, Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion, Mount Sinai Health System
- Veronica Gillispie-Bell, M.D., MAS, FACOG, Senior Site
Lead and Section Head, Women's Services, Ochsner Kenner; Medical
Director of Quality, Women's Services, Ochsner Health; Medical
Director of Minimally Invasive Center for Treatment of Uterine
Fibroids, Ochsner Health; Associate Professor, Ochsner Clinical
School
- Gregory N. Rattler Sr., Managing Director, JP Morgan
Chase
- Deborah Grimes, RN, JD,
MSHQS, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Officer, Ochsner Health
Slated to be the only Historically Black College and University
(HBCU) medical school in the Gulf South when it opens, XOCOM
expands opportunities for New
Orleans' downtown area as part of the BioDistrict, a
development district that is growing biosciences and the local
economy. As XOCOM advances healthcare equity and expands the
physician workforce in the Gulf South, the medical school will also
help the BioDistrict lead the region in healthcare excellence and
promote inclusive, equitable job growth.
"Ochsner Health is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse
communities we serve, and we are honored to continue our work with
Xavier University of Louisiana to
improve the health and wellbeing of New
Orleans, our state and region," said Pete November, CEO, Ochsner Health. "By
providing excellent training to more diverse physicians so they may
better serve our communities, we are not only investing in the
future of healthcare, but also in the long-term prosperity and
wellness for our many neighbors, friends and family members
throughout the Gulf South."
Reimagination of Healthcare to Improve Outcomes
Through the establishment of XOCOM, Xavier and Ochsner aspire to redefine the landscape
of medicine by nurturing a new cadre of physicians who
authentically mirror the communities they serve. XOCOM's vision is
to unleash the power of diversity, transform medical education, and
train compassionate physician scientists who will champion
inclusivity and excellence in medicine.
XOCOM will boast state-of-the-art medical technology and
facilities, providing students with immersive learning experiences
and hands-on training opportunities. The curriculum will emphasize
interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical proficiency, and
compassionate patient care, equipping graduates with the skills and
knowledge to address the complex healthcare challenges of the 21st
century.
Xavier University of Louisiana will
seek approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The new medical school, XOCOM,
will seek preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on
Medical Education (LCME). Accreditation is expected to take about
three years and will be followed by recruitment. XOCOM aims to seat
50 students in the first class, and the medical school will
continue to grow as it develops.
When it opens, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will join
the nation's four existing historically Black medical schools:
Howard University College of Medicine,
Morehouse School of Medicine,
Meharry Medical College, and the
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and
Science.
Research shows an urgent need for this HBCU College of Medicine,
as the demand for diverse doctors is expected to grow considerably.
Every year, 25% of the incoming interns in the National Resident
Matching Program come from foreign medical schools because
there are not enough U.S. Medical School graduates. The Association
of American Medical Colleges has projected a total shortage of up
to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Louisiana is projected to rank third
nationally for a shortage of physicians by 2030, with rural
and underserved communities expected to be impacted the most. Black
doctors make up just 5.7% of the nation's physicians, but Black
populations account for 13.6% of U.S. residents. And while Hispanic
doctors only account for 6.9% of the workforce, Hispanic people
make up the largest minority population at 19%.
Studies show representation in medicine truly matters. A 2022
report in the National Library of Medicine emphasized that
diversity in medicine plays a crucial role in enhancing health
outcomes, as it improves quality access to health care services and
fosters patient trust.
Working Together in the BioDistrict
Xavier and Ochsner are uniquely
qualified to open a new HBCU medical school. For decades,
Xavier, one of the country's top ranked
HBCUs, has produced more Black students who achieve medical degrees
and doctorates in the health sciences than any other higher
education institution in the nation. Ochsner has a history of
investing in communities and health equity, and demonstrated
experience training physicians, annually instructing over 330
residents and fellows through graduate medical education.
Ochsner and Xavier's partnership
began in the 1980s with the College of Pharmacy, which ranks among
the top in the nation in producing Black graduates with Doctor of
Pharmacy degrees. More recently, the two institutions partnered to
create a Physician Assistant (PA) program, new graduate
programs in health sciences and the Ochsner Health and
Xavier University Institute for Health
Equity and Research (OXIHER).
Working together in the BioDistrict, leaders in economic
development, higher education, business, and nonprofits are
creating a vibrant, authentic, and engaging place where industry
and the community convene to tackle global challenges in health and
wellness. The BioDistrict will drive the regional economy through
strategic investments, grow the city's biosciences and health
innovation ecosystem, and create jobs and economic opportunities
for New Orleanians.
By anchoring their partnership with the Xavier Ochsner College
of Medicine (XOCOM), Xavier and Ochsner
will advance healthcare excellence, bring new opportunities to
marginalized populations and create stellar medical education for
future generations.
To learn more, please visit www.xula.edu and
www.ochsner.org.
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SOURCE Ochsner Health