Xavier University, Ochsner Health partnership creates Physician Assistant Program
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Xavier University of Louisiana and partner Ochsner Health have received accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Program.
According to the university, the accreditation process began in 2019, making Xavier one of four state colleges, one of two New Orleans colleges and one of seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation to offer the program.
Officials with the American Academy of PAs estimated there are more than 168,000 PAs in the country, with the demand growing from 2016 to 2026 to 37%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Ochsner officials say currently, they have more than 180 PAs in its health system.
“Our students are trained to fight inequity and disparity, and we are proud of their progress as they live out the university’s mission to promote a more just and humane society. We are proud to continue deepening the partnership between Xavier and Ochsner Health, especially as we embark on the journey to open the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine to fight health inequities and disparities in New Orleans and beyond,” said Marguerite Giguette, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs of Xavier University of Louisiana.
So far, the PA program has graduated 108 students with approximately 48% accepting jobs with Ochsner Health.
Through the partnership, Oschner has provided clinical training for an average of 80 Xavier pharmacy students each year.
Recently, the two partnered together to create the Ochsner Health and Xavier University Institute for Health Equality and Research and the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, the only HBCU medical school in the Gulf South.
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“The PA program is another example of how Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner are partnering to train the next generation of healthcare professionals who represent the communities they serve. In creating this program, we are training a new cohort of physician assistants who will practice locally and throughout the region with a focus on health equity and patient-centered care,” said Leonardo Seoane, M.D., FACP, Founding Dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine and Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Ochsner Health System.
For more information on the Xavier University and Ochsner Physician Assistant Program, visit the Xavier University website or call 504-520-5119.
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