Xavier University of Louisiana, a leading undergraduate institution in preparing Black students for careers in medicine, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest academic health system, are partnering to launch only the fifth Historically Black College and University (HBCU) medical school in the nation.
Xavier University of Louisiana, a leading undergraduate institution in preparing Black students for careers in medicine, and Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest academic health system, are partnering to launch only the fifth Historically Black College and University (HBCU) medical school in the nation.
Research indicates the state of Louisiana will rank third in the nation for the most severe physician shortage by 2030, particularly in rural and underserved areas¹. Building on the parties’ successful track record of collaboration on health professionals’ education and health equities research, Xavier and Ochsner wanted to develop a medical school that would not only address the projected shortage but also train diverse physicians and biomedical researchers who mirror the communities they serve.
The parties jointly engaged ECG as their strategic adviser to guide the planning and development of XOCOM. ECG assisted the parties in:
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. The school plans to seat 50 students per year with the goal of training physicians who will practice in the local community, state, and Gulf South region. As the only HBCU medical school in the Gulf South, XOCOM is poised to be a driving force in promoting healthcare excellence and inclusive, equitable patient care and fostering the wellness of communities throughout the region.
¹ Zhang, X., Lin, D., Pforsich, H. et al. “Physician workforce in the United States of America: forecasting nationwide shortages.” Hum Resour Health 18, 8 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-020-0448-3
