Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
Matthew George, MD - Ochsner Physician Scholars Program
Release Date: August 13, 2025
When Matthew George, MD, graduated medical school at LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, he knew two things: that his destiny was to help more people prevent disease, and that he wanted to pursue a career in South Louisiana, where he felt a deep connection to the local culture.
In late July, Dr. George started his career in medicine on the West Bank as the healthcare system’s second Ochsner Physician Scholar. He joined the teams at Ochsner Health Center – Lapalco and Ochsner Health Center – Belle Chasse as an Ochsner family medicine physician, where he hopes to make a positive impact on local public health by lowering local rates of high obesity and chronic conditions, like diabetes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. George to the Ochsner family,” said Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, executive vice president and chief academic officer for Ochsner Health. “His dedication and passion for preventive care aligns with our mission to make a positive impact and practice compassionate medicine for all the communities that we serve.”
Originally from Farmerville, La., Dr. George didn’t always plan to become a practicing physician. At first, he thought he would get his PhD in research. But an advisor in undergraduate school saw potential and encouraged him to take a medical track instead.
“I shadowed and fell in love with it,” Dr. George said about pursuing high-quality patient care. “I realized that I wanted to take a more hands-on approach and focus on treating people.”
Dr. George graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Biological Sciences from Louisiana Tech University and earned his Doctor of Medicine from LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, where he also completed residency in family medicine. He has undertaken numerous research projects and currently serves on the Louisiana Department of Health HIV Task Force to facilitate rapid establishment of primary care and initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Dr. George is a member of the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians and he's passionate about encouraging more people to understand the benefits of well-balanced diets.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Dr. George to our team at Ochsner Health Center – Lapalco. His expertise in family medicine and his drive to improve public health by addressing key issues including HIV, HIV prevention, obesity and diabetes will be a tremendous asset to our patients and the West Bank community, changing lives for the better," said Brandon Page, MD, senior site lead, Ochsner Health Center – Lapalco.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. George said that the Ochsner Physician Scholars Program provided invaluable support to help him begin his career. The program is key to helping solve the physician workforce shortage in Louisiana. According to the AAMC, the United States is projected to have up to 86,000 physicians short by 2036, and data shows Louisiana falls third in the need for filling these physician roles.
By providing opportunities to students at The University of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health and the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine, the Ochsner Physician Scholars program helps fulfill Ochsner’s mission in creating healthier lives and stronger communities via academic excellence and clinical training.
For Dr. George, the Ochsner Physician Scholar program also ensured that he could remain in Louisiana to make a difference in his state.
“Taking on new patients and making an impact in a new community – that's what I’m most looking forward to,” Dr. George said. “I’m looking forward to having patients that I can follow consistently and track their progress in becoming and staying healthy.”
About the Ochsner Physician Scholars Program
The Ochsner Physician Scholars Program is designed to support and develop talented medical students committed to serving their communities. The program provides financial assistance, mentorship and clinical training opportunities for medical students pursuing careers in primary care and psychiatry, in exchange for commitment to working at Ochsner. The program ensures that scholars like Dr. George are well-prepared to meet the healthcare needs of their patients.
Learn more about Dr. George on Find a Doctor
