Xavier University of Louisiana

Research shows Black patients have better outcomes when they are cared for by a Black provider, yet fewer than 6% of doctors are Black. The country’s four historically Black medical schools have received a total of $600 million in an investment by Bloomberg Philanthropies.The gift, per an announcement, is the largest ever received by historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The funding will go to Meharry Medical College, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Howard University College of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine.“Addressing health disparities and underrepresentation in the medical field are critical challenges, and Bloomberg Philanthropies is dedicated to making a difference,” Bloomberg said in the announcement. “By building on our previous support, this gift will empower new generations of Black doctors to create a healthier and more equitable future for our country.”The gift is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, which seeks to advance racial wealth equity by addressing systemic underinvestment in Black institutions. The foundation also gave seed funding to help start a new medical school at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans—a collaboration between Xavier and Ochsner Health.Research shows Black patients have better outcomes when they are cared for by a Black provider, yet fewer than 6% of doctors are Black. The gift of $175 million to Meharry is the largest in its history “by a wide margin,” confirmed James E.K. Hildreth, M.D., president and CEO of the college. It brings the school’s total endowment to $368 million. Hildreth heard directly from Michael Bloomberg that “he wants to support these four schools and their mission of training Black doctors, because of the impact they have on the communities they serve,” Hildreth told Fierce Healthcare.Meharry is on a mission to eliminate disparities and improve equity through a diverse U.S. workforce, Meharry leaders said.The current cost of tuition at Meharry’s med school is nearly (PDF) $56,000 annually, with the total cost of attendance coming out to more than $97,000 annually on average. The school disperses around $80 million in loans annually, and it is not unusual for graduating med students to have $300,000 in debt, Hildreth said. The school has limited scholarships available, which are largely limited to students from particular backgrounds. They range from $5,000 to $30,000. The Bloomberg investment will allow more scholarship options to expand.A large driver of high costs of attendance is the escalating cost of housing in Nashville, where the college is based, per Hildreth. “This is truly an extraordinary gift by any measure,” Hildreth said of the Bloomberg donation. “Certainly for us, it’s transformative, but we have other needs.” One of those is a strong desire to shift toward a self-directed learning model, Hildreth explained, which is a more effective method of teaching. Throughout history, education has traditionally consisted of teachers lecturing students.“It’s a great way to teach, but it’s a terrible way to learn,” Hildreth noted.Many students would benefit from smaller groups, hands-on learning and self-directed education. Shifting from a model of didactic studies to self-directed learning requires investment in technology and facilities, Hildreth said. Meharry opened a new center last summer that combines residential and learning spaces that are designed for smaller group learning.“Rather than now spending eight hours in a classroom, students are now spending half the day in the classroom,” Hildreth said. The rest of the time, they can partake in smaller group sessions, go over material on their own and meet with professors during office hours.While the Bloomberg gift will be going toward Meharry’s endowment with the goal of supporting Black physicians in training, Hildreth hopes to possibly also use some of the investment for the college’s other schools. That will be figured out in ongoing conversations with the foundation, he said.The country’s HBCU med schools educate about half of Black doctors in the U.S., but they continue to face underfunded (PDF) endowments. The Biden administration has invested a record $16 billion over the years in HBCUs. The latest gift follows a $34 million investment that Bloomberg Philanthropies made to Meharry in 2020 and an additional $6 million in 2021.

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. Continue Reading Ochsner Health (PRNewsfoto/Ochsner Health System) "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 and . SOURCE Ochsner Health

The Partnership Will Create a New, Standalone College of Medicine in New Orleans, Training the Health Care Professionals of Tomorrow NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xavier University of Louisiana (Xavier) and Ochsner Health (Ochsner) today announced an agreement to establish a joint College of Medicine. The two institutions will create a strong physician pipeline that addresses longstanding inequities within the nation's health care system and builds the health care workforce of the future. By anchoring their partnership with a College of Medicine, Xavier and Ochsner affirm their legacy of advancing health care excellence and education for the next generation, bringing new opportunities to marginalized populations in Louisiana and the United States. Continue Reading Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health are partner to create a HBCU College of Medicine To launch the College of Medicine, Ochsner and Xavier will form a nonprofit corporation, create a new curriculum and use facilities, personnel, and administrative processes of both institutions. The new College of Medicine will be governed by a board of directors nominated by Ochsner and Xavier, with each institution appointing an equal number of directors. This initiative builds on a long-standing partnership between Ochsner and Xavier that dates to the early 1980s, when Ochsner and Xavier's College of Pharmacy came together to offer more clinical training sites for pharmacy students. Xavier's College of Pharmacy is the oldest in Louisiana and has for years been among the top in the nation in producing African American graduates with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. "Our work with Ochsner and other partners who hold close to their hearts a vision of healing a broken world is a testament to Xavier's mission to promote a more just and humane society," said Dr. Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana. "Xavier was bestowed that mission by our founders St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament almost a century ago. Our dedication to preparing more Black health care professionals in our fight against health inequity is our answer to the call of our nation's critical need and makes their legacy proud." XULA and Ochsner: A Legacy of Collaboration In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world and disproportionately affected people of color, highlighting health disparities faced by historically marginalized communities. Ochsner Health and Xavier again forged partnerships to improve health equity through new graduate programs in health sciences and the establishment of the Ochsner Health and Xavier University Institute for Health Equity and Research (OXIHER). A few years before, Xavier and Ochsner also worked to improve diversity within the health sciences through a memorandum of understanding to establish a new Physician Assistant (PA) Program. In May 2022, Ochsner and Xavier celebrated the first graduating class of 37 students in the full-time graduate PA Program, which leads to a master's degree in health sciences and trains the next generation of providers to make a meaningful impact on health care. "Ochsner has a long and rich history of excellence in medical education, and we are honored to continue our work with Xavier to improve the health of our state and region," said Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health. "The Xavier medical students will get outstanding clinical training in our integrated health care system, and this significant expansion of our partnership with Xavier demonstrates our commitment to training the next generation of health care providers to solve the critical shortage of physicians in the United States and meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve." In 2022, Xavier became an integral advisory board partner for Healthy State by 2030, an ambitious plan to lift Louisiana off the bottom of national health rankings. Collectively, partners across multiple sectors and industries from across the state are committed to comprehensive public health initiatives, education, and outreach. "Investing in education, training and workforce development is critical to building a healthier state and stronger communities. Our partnership with Xavier furthers our Healthy State mission of enhancing diversity among health care providers, which has been linked to better care for diverse communities of our region and throughout the nation," said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Ochsner Health. "We must work together to solve the challenges faced in our health care workforce and ensure communities across the country have access to the highest quality of care." Closing the National and Local Workforce Gap For decades, Xavier University of Louisiana has produced more African American students and students of color who achieve medical degrees and doctorates in the health sciences than any other higher education institution in the nation. Ochsner, the largest academic health care system in Louisiana, has a long history of training medical students, residents, and fellows. Ochsner is invested in excellent health care, workforce development and education of communities throughout the Gulf South. The institutions are uniquely positioned to co-lead efforts in closing the health care workforce gap. "With their historic agreement to establish a College of Medicine at one of the nation's top HBCUs, Xavier and Ochsner have heeded the call to shape the health of the state, the country, and the world for generations to come," said Dr. Anne McCall, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of Xavier University of Louisiana. Research shows an urgent need for an HBCU College of Medicine now, as demand for doctors is expected to grow. Louisiana is projected to rank third nationally for a shortage of physicians by 2030, according to a Human Resources for Health analysis. Representation of African Americans within medicine lags, as they comprise 5% of the nation's physicians -- although Black and African American populations account for 13% of U.S. residents. A new College of Medicine with Xavier, a high-ranking HBCU, and Ochsner, a high-performing academic health system with experience in training medical students, will result in representation among medical practitioners with excellent health care training, which is critical to bettering health outcomes by increasing quality of care, access, and patient trust in their health care providers. To learn more, please visit and . SOURCE Ochsner Health System