Xavier University of Louisiana announced that it is entering the planning phase to establish a Graduate School of Health Sciences and Medical School. For decades, Xavier has consistently produced more African American students and students of color who achieve Medical Degrees and PhDs in the health sciences than any other higher education institution in the nation. Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is the oldest in Louisiana and continues to rank amongst the highest performing.
Building upon this success, Xavier University of Louisiana has continued to add innovative graduate degree programs, including a physician's assistant program, a master’s in public health program, speech pathology, pharmaceutical studies, and health analytics that expand representation in health professions.
Reynold Verret, PhD, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, has long been a champion for addressing health disparities and underrepresentation in the medical and health sciences.
“Xavier was founded with the mission of promoting the creation of a just and humane society through education,” Verret stated. “The establishment of graduate education programs dedicated to the preparation of more black healthcare professionals is a natural extension of our foundress’ legacy as we approach our second century of service. It is also where we are called to answer a critical need of our nation.”
The pandemic emphasized the necessity for greater diversity in the medical profession, as representation and trust are essential determinants underlying the health disparities affecting underrepresented populations. A recent Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report noted, “Gains in diversity are not shared by all groups. In particular growth of Black or African American applicants, matriculants and graduates lagged behind other groups.”