Today we’d like to introduce you to Alayah & Alexis Collins.
Hi Alayah & Alexis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My twin sister and I founded Women in Pre-Med, Inc. on the campus of Tuskegee University on February 1, 2022, guided by faith and a shared belief that God had placed a calling on our lives that was bigger than ourselves. As pre-med students, we prayed for direction and clarity as we navigated the challenges of pursuing careers in medicine, and through those prayers, the vision for this organization was born.
We recognized a clear gap in support for women—particularly women of color—pursuing medical and healthcare careers. Many students lacked access to mentorship, resources, and encouragement, often feeling overwhelmed and unseen in rigorous academic environments. What we were experiencing personally, we knew countless other women were facing as well. We felt led to create a space rooted in service, sisterhood, and purpose—one that reminded women that their dreams were valid and that they were not walking this journey alone.
What began as a small, faith-driven initiative on one campus quickly grew beyond our expectations. Starting with study sessions, mentorship meetings, and guest speakers, God continued to open doors for expansion. Through prayer, consistency, and community support, Women in Pre-Med, Inc. has grown into a national, collegiate-level nonprofit organization with 16 active chapters across multiple campuses.
Today, our organization provides mentorship, professional development, medical exposure opportunities, and community outreach initiatives. Our work extends beyond campus walls through programs that address menstrual insecurity, health education, and early exposure to medical careers for young girls. Every chapter serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the power of obedience to purpose.
What started as a vision between two sisters has become a movement grounded in faith, leadership, and service. We are grateful for how far God has brought us and remain committed to walking in purpose as we continue to empower the next generation of female healthcare providers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the journey has not been a smooth road. In the very beginning, we faced rejection multiple times—we were denied three times before ever receiving our first “yes.” Those moments were discouraging, especially as students who were still learning how to navigate both academia and leadership at the same time.
Balancing the responsibilities of founding and running a national nonprofit organization while being full-time pre-med majors was extremely challenging. We were managing demanding science courses, exams, and clinical expectations while simultaneously building an organization from the ground up. Without prior experience or a background in nonprofit management, every step required intentional learning.
With limited guidance, we leaned heavily on each other for strength, accountability, and encouragement. We spent countless late nights researching nonprofit laws, leadership structures, grant writing, and organizational development—teaching ourselves through articles, webinars, trial and error, and prayer. There were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty, but we remained committed to the vision God had placed in our hearts.
Each rejection, setback, and obstacle became a lesson rather than a stopping point. Those early challenges built resilience, strengthened our leadership, and prepared us for sustainable growth. What once felt like a disadvantage became the very foundation that shaped Women in Pre-Med, Inc. into the organization it is today—led with purpose, perseverance, and faith.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Women in Pre-Med, inc. ?
Women in Pre-Med, Inc. is a national, collegiate-level nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds who are pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare. Founded by twin sisters on the campus of Tuskegee University, our organization was built out of lived experience, faith, and a deep understanding of the barriers women—especially women of color—face in pre-medical spaces.
At our core, we specialize in mentorship, professional development, early medical exposure, and community health advocacy. We provide structured mentorship that connects students with peers, medical students, and healthcare professionals; host educational workshops and guest speaker events; and offer resources that support students academically, emotionally, and professionally throughout their pre-med journey. Our programming is intentionally designed to meet students where they are—whether they are just beginning to explore medicine or actively preparing for medical school.
What sets Women in Pre-Med, Inc. apart is our holistic and purpose-driven approach. We do not only focus on grades or test scores—we focus on the whole woman. We emphasize leadership development, confidence-building, service, faith, and sisterhood alongside academic excellence. Our chapters operate as safe, empowering spaces where members are seen, supported, and reminded that they belong in medicine.
In addition to collegiate programming, we are widely known for our community outreach initiatives, including efforts that address menstrual insecurity, health education, and youth engagement. Through hygiene pantries, product distributions, and educational materials, we work to eliminate barriers that directly impact women’s health, dignity, and educational success. We also prioritize early exposure to medical careers by engaging young girls through STEM and health-focused programming, planting seeds for future generations of healthcare leaders.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of our national growth and impact. What began as a small campus organization has grown into a network of 16 active chapters, each led by passionate student leaders committed to service and excellence. Our brand is rooted in faith, resilience, professionalism, and representation. Every event, initiative, and partnership reflects our commitment to integrity, empowerment, and community.
What we want readers to know most is that Women in Pre-Med, Inc. is more than an organization—it is a movement. We exist to remind women that their dreams in medicine are valid, achievable, and necessary. Through mentorship, service, and intentional leadership, we are actively shaping a more inclusive, compassionate, and representative future for healthcare.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, one of our major priorities for Women in Pre-Med, Inc. is increasing our media presence and public visibility. We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for change, and we are intentionally working toward securing features across local, regional, and national media outlets, including digital publications, podcasts, radio, and television platforms that spotlight women, education, healthcare, and social impact.
We plan to amplify the voices of our members and chapter leaders by sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes in medicine. By highlighting real stories from women navigating the pre-med pathway, we hope to normalize their experiences, inspire future generations, and increase awareness around the barriers women—especially women of color—face in healthcare spaces.
In addition to traditional media, we are expanding our digital media strategy through social media campaigns, editorial-style content, newsletters, and video storytelling. This includes behind-the-scenes looks at our programs, founder spotlights, chapter impact features, and educational content that positions Women in Pre-Med, Inc. as a trusted voice in pre-med education and women’s health advocacy.
We are also looking forward to building media partnerships with brands, nonprofit platforms, and healthcare organizations that align with our mission. These collaborations will help us elevate our initiatives—such as menstrual insecurity awareness, youth STEM programming, and mentorship—while reaching broader and more diverse audiences.
Ultimately, our goal is to make Women in Pre-Med, Inc. a recognizable and respected name in conversations about women in medicine, health equity, and leadership. Through increased media exposure, we aim not only to grow our brand but to shift narratives, open doors, and create lasting impact for the women and communities we serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womeinpre-med.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninpre_med/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WomenInPre-Med
