Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine receives preliminary accreditation
By Kristopher Beavers
A new chapter in medical education is taking shape in New Orleans after the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine received preliminary accreditation Oct. 14 from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
“The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will help strengthen the physician workforce, improve health outcomes and create new pathways for talented students committed to serving others through medicine,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana.
The accreditation allows the college to begin recruiting students for its inaugural class in 2027. Applications will be available through the American Medical College Application Service in the coming weeks, according to the university.
“The journey to this moment required an extraordinary collective effort from more than 300 faculty members, staff, leaders and accreditation workgroups,” Verret added.
The Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine will be the only historically Black medical school in the Gulf South. The college was established in 2024 through a partnership between Xavier and Ochsner Health, bringing together the university’s history of preparing Black students for careers in medicine and Ochsner’s experience in medical education and patient care.
The new medical school comes as Louisiana faces significant health care workforce challenges. According to the university, 60 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes contain federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects a national shortage of more than 141,000 physicians by 2038.
Xavier is nationally recognized for producing Black graduates who go on to attend medical school. The new college aims to expand opportunities for aspiring physicians while addressing health care needs in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf South.
“Together, we have created a transformational college of medicine where future physician leaders will be prepared to pursue excellence with purpose, embrace innovation, and respond to the evolving needs of patients and our communities,” said Dr. Leonardo Seoane, president and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine.
Xavier students said the accreditation could attract more students to the university and create additional opportunities for those interested in pursuing medical careers.
The college plans to welcome its inaugural class in 2027, creating a new pathway for students interested in pursuing medical degrees.
“As a Xavier student, I think that it gives me a lot of hope because I’ve been looking into medical schools, and especially now that Xavier has one, I would have a great chance of getting in,” said Rayne Jones, a freshman neuroscience major. “I have even more chances and even more knowledge about what I can do to get in,” Jones said.
