UQ-Ochsner program celebrates 1,000th graduate

NEW ORLEANS – Ochsner Health and The University of Queensland (UQ)’s joint Doctor of Medicine (MD) program honored its 2024 graduating class at its annual culmination ceremony on November 23. With this year’s 72 graduates, the medical program now has more than 1,000 alumni. The partnership began in 2009 to provide medical students and education with a global perspective and exposure to different healthcare systems to be better providers and leaders in medicine.

To reach this milestone, students completed two years of medical school curriculum in Brisbane, Australia, at The University of Queensland. The final two years of clinical study were conducted at The University of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health campus at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans. In the 2024 academic year the students provided nearly 1,500 hours of volunteer services, including participation in over 25 outreach events in the New Orleans Greater Metropolitan area.

Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, Ochsner Health's executive vice president and chief academic officer and professor at UQ-Ochsner MD Program, congratulated the cohort on their achievement at the culmination ceremony.

“Ochsner is proud to invest in you, the next generation of physicians, as we work collectively to make healthcare more accessible and compassionate for all the communities that we serve here in Louisiana and beyond,” said Dr. Seoane. “Together you will all improve health outcomes and change patients’ lives. Always remember the lessons you learned these past four years: put patients first, embody professionalism and take care of yourselves as you take care of others.”

During the culmination ceremony several UQ-Ochsner faculty and residents were recognized with awards of excellence in clinical teaching. The highest individual award of excellence – the Teacher of the Year award – was bestowed upon Vu Vuong, MD, an OB/GYN with Ochsner Health Center – West Bank. Dr. Vuong earned his medical degree from the University of California, Davis and completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Vuong has been caring for his patients at his West Bank office since 1997, practicing the whole spectrum of the specialty. He performs cases ranging from well woman care to complex gynecologic laparoscopic surgery as well as vaginal and Cesarean deliveries. He takes pride not just in his own practice, but also in teaching the next generation of physicians.

The Resident Teachers of the Year for 2024 are:

• Joshua King, MD – Internal Medicine

• Charles Sisk, MD – OB/GYN

• Steven Fielkow, MD - Pediatrics

• Oriane Ezedine, MD – Psychiatry

• Christopher Zumwalt, MD – Surgery

The following students were also recognized with individual awards:

• Levi Griffin - Student Excellence Award for OB/GYN

• Jale Manzo - Student Excellence Award for Pediatrics

• Jaskaran Singh Dhillon - Student Excellence Award for Psychiatry

• Nathan Au-Yeung – Internal Medicine-American College of Physicians Excellence Award

• Carlos Santaolaya – Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award

• Colton Paterson – John Lockwood Ochsner Sr. Surgical Award

Ochsner and UQ are accepting applications for the 2026 cohort. As a quota program in high demand, applicants are encouraged to apply early to secure their place. First interview rounds are scheduled for March 2025.

To apply, visit: How to apply - UQ-Ochsner MD Program - The University of Queensland.

You may also be interested in:

• Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine Announces Founding Dean and Location in Downtown New Orleans at Benson Tower
• The University of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health celebrates high residency match