Founding Dean's Message

 

Welcome to the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM). I am humbled and honored to share exciting progress about what is soon to be our nation's 5th allopathic HBCU medical school.  

XOCOM expands Xavier University of Louisiana’s 100-year legacy of excellence in education. Our new medical school will support students as they reach their full potential and provide greater access to medical education. 

Our program builds on a long history between Xavier and Ochsner. We have been working together since the early 1980s to train health care providers and improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve.  Most recently Xavier and Ochsner partnered to develop a physician assistant program and a genetic counseling program founded in the 100-year legacy of Xavier.   
 
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts a national shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. XOCOM will take a significant step in solving this shortage by training more doctors who are committed to serving in communities where the physician shortage impacts the most. Building on the legacy of Xavier and the long history of excellence in medical education at Ochsner, our students will be trained and mentored in an inclusive environment. Together, we will improve the lives of so many throughout our region and the nation. 

We are excited about XOCOM’s future in Benson Tower, a 72,000-square-foot space being developed into a state-of-the-art medical education building in downtown New Orleans’ Bio District. Our curriculum will emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical proficiency, and compassionate patient care. Providing students with immersive learning experiences and hands-on training opportunities to meet the needs of the next generation of healthcare workers, we will equip our graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to address the complex healthcare challenges of the 21st century. 
 
A growing body of research shows that physicians who understand the cultures of the communities in which they practice improve health outcomes by increasing patient trust. Through this medical school, we will train our physician scientists to pursue personalized medicine for each patient and to find new solutions and therapies. Together, we can all share Xavier’s purpose to contribute to a more just and humane society by preparing students to assume roles of leadership and service. 
 
Welcome again and thank you for your interest in XOCOM. 

 

Dr. Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP 
Founding Dean 
Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine