In Partnership with Ochsner Health, Program Fills 100% of Spots in First-Ever Match 

Xavier University of Louisiana proudly celebrated its inaugural Genetic Counseling Match Day this month, marking a historic milestone as Louisiana’s first and only genetic counseling program and one of just two such programs housed at an HBCU. 

Xavier’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program, in clinical partnership with Ochsner Health, successfully matched all five open spots with students for a 100% fill rate on April 16. Program leaders filled top-ranked candidates for its first incoming class, reflecting a strong start and promising future. Rooted in academic excellence, the program aims to improve health outcomes and will demonstrate exceptional community impact. The inaugural cohort will begin in Fall 2025.  

“This Match Day represents more than numbers; it symbolizes Xavier’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in the healthcare workforce. Our mission is to equip our students with the necessary skills to become ethical, compassionate, culturally aware, and forward-thinking genetic counselors,” said Adel Gilbert, Program Director, Xavier University of Louisiana Genetic Counseling Program. “We are thrilled to welcome our first cohort of students who will help shape the future of personalized medicine and genetics across Louisiana and the Gulf South.”  

A signature initiative of Xavier, the program features clinical rotations at Ochsner. Physician and genetic counseling faculty members serve as course instructors, fieldwork supervisors, and student mentors, providing students with practical, hands-on learning opportunities in some of the region’s leading healthcare environments.   

Through a rigorous 21-month curriculum that blends didactic coursework, fieldwork rotations, and a capstone research project, the program aims to produce graduates who are not only prepared to lead in a rapidly evolving medical field but are also deeply committed to promoting the health of individuals and making healthcare more accessible to all communities throughout the Gulf South.   

“We are proud to contribute to a rigorous and innovative curriculum that incorporates the latest technologies and emphasizes best practices in genetics and genetic counseling,” said Carl Tholen, Vice President of Medical Education, Ochsner Health.   

The genetic counseling program launched late last year and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Graduates will be eligible for board certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). By combining Xavier’s legacy of educational excellence with Ochsner’s healthcare innovation, the program seeks to be a national leader in preparing professionals equipped to improve health outcomes by providing cutting-edge research and medicine in genetics and genomics.  

Click here for more information about the program or admissions or email geneticcounseling@xula.edu.