Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM)

“Working together, we will train the next generation of physician scientists who will focus on finding solutions and find new therapies for our communities. 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.’”

- Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, founding dean, Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine

Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health are teaming up to open a new medical school, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine (XOCOM). Together, Xavier and Ochsner will create new opportunities for students who want to attend medical school in the Gulf South and create a strong physician workforce to improve health for local communities. XOCOM is applying for accreditation. When it opens, it will be located in Benson Tower in downtown New Orleans. Students will complete clinical rotations at Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans and Ochsner Baptist.

“In the 1920s, St. Katharine Drexel sent her Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to visit leading medical schools to learn how to best prepare Xavier scholars for the next phase of medical education. XOCOM continues the work envisioned by our founder.”

- Reynold Verret, PhD, president, Xavier University of Louisiana

The Gulf South needs more doctors, and the United States needs more medical schools to grow the physician workforce. To give more opportunity for those interested in medical careers, XOCOM will provide merit-based opportunities to students from lower income families. XOCOM will also provide merit-based opportunities to first-generation college and medical students. When it opens, XOCOM will be the only historically Black college and university (HBCU) medical school in the Gulf South and the fifth allopathic HBCU college of medicine, or one that will offer Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees, in the United States.

To learn more about XOCOM, please visit
Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine | Xavier University of Louisiana.

A growing body of research shows that physicians who practice in their home communities help people become healthier. Patients are more likely to trust them and go to their doctor's visits to get care. By creating this new medical school, Xavier and Ochsner are taking a big step toward making healthcare better.

Xavier and Ochsner have been working together since the early 1980s and have helped communities improve their health through several programs. Successful partnerships include a joint program for physician assistants that has already graduated 70 students. Now, through XOCOM, Xavier and Ochsner are working together again to advance medical education, bring new opportunities for aspiring doctors, and pursue healthcare excellence. XOCOM will also create economic opportunities for local communities when it opens in Benson Tower within the growing New Orleans BioDistrict.