Dr. Nailah Tucker currently serves as a Family Medicine resident physician at the Family Care Center (FCC) in Pawtucket, RI. A former Jackson Heart Study Scholar, Dr. Tucker graduated from Tougaloo in 2019 with a degree in Biology before transitioning directly into medical school. She completed her MD in October 2025 and began an Accelerated Master’s Program for Public Health for Clinicians at Brown. Her journey through medical education, which she uniquely navigated alongside her sister, Dr. Aja Tucker, was profoundly shaped by the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership, a pathway that transformed her ambitions into a historic family milestone.
How did your experience with the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership influence your career path?
The Brown-Tougaloo College Early Identification Program (EIP) completely changed the trajectory of my life. I knew as a high school senior that I wanted to attend Tougaloo and be amongst the many physicians that they were producing.
I always thank Dr. Wendy White and Dr. Bianca Garner for making me apply to Brown. They were my champions, giving me the courage to be a part of the process and finish medical school. The partnership was so amazing that my sister followed me, graduating from Tougaloo in 2022 and Warren Alpert Medical School in 2026. Now, we are the first doctors in our family. My parents spent graduation weekend telling everyone, "Both my daughters are graduating from medical school," and when people asked, "Both?" they’d proudly say, "Yes, both of them."
What are you currently involved in that you would like the BTP community to know about?
After finishing medical school, I went straight into the Accelerated Master’s of Public Health program for clinicians–I’m pretty sure I was the first Tougaloo student to do that. Between the MD, the MPH, and taking time off to have a child and be with family, I was a busy little bee! It was very much a "no sleep, bags under my eyes" situation, but I am super happy and proud.
Now, I am working at the FCC as a resident. Even in residency, the BTP community remains a daily part of my life; other Tougaloo grads will text me to check in and meet up in the hallways. I’m also focused on passing down what I've learned to the students still at the medical school, suggesting the exact books and study resources I used so they can navigate their own paths successfully.
What’s the most valuable lesson you learned in this program that you’d share with others?
I have learned to wave the white flag. That is not an easy task, and it can be daunting to do, but I like to say my degree should have 50 names on it because of my support system. One of those individuals is Dr. Roxanne Vrees, Associate Dean for Student Affairs. She taught me the importance of asking for help and reminded me that I could always rely on Brown for support. There was never a situation in which I felt I could not turn to Dean Vrees for guidance, encouragement, or support. Her willingness to listen and help me navigate challenges made a lasting impact on my medical school experience. No matter what work you do, you have to be able to communicate your needs and adapt. In medical school, you have to be able to change your hats constantly; your month on Women & Infants is completely different from your month at Miriam Hospital.
When I first got to Brown, I struggled because I didn't ask for help as soon as I should have. By my second year, I learned to go straight to the source. When I was confused during my nephrology rotation, I reached out directly to the faculty instructors and met with them two to three times a week. Now that I am a resident, I want medical students to know it is completely okay to say, "I don't know, or I need help." I am actually happy when people admit they don't know, because it allows us to support them rather than them trying to figure it out alone, and it not working.
A Legacy of Support
When we asked Dr. Tucker if there was anything else she'd like readers to know, she shared this reflection:
People are often surprised to realize that programs like this even exist. The Brown-Tougaloo Partnership sets you up for success, unlike other pathways that can feel more like a weed-out program. It is so beneficial, especially for marginalized communities, because we need more mentors and more people who look like us in these medical spaces.
Medical school is a grueling process, and moving to Providence brings a significant culture shock. Having the opportunity to share that experience with other Tougaloo students makes a world of difference. Knowing that when Dr. Wendy White comes into town, she texts us to grab lunch–having those connections back home keeps you entirely grounded. We held each other up as we navigated this space.
Best of all, I got to share this journey with my sister. It allowed us to lean on each other, support each other, and help each other move to the next stage. My advice to anyone considering the program is simple: DO IT. Don't be scared. Moving to the East Coast grows you in unexpected ways. You gain an independence where you feel like you can move anywhere in the world and do absolutely anything.