The Resilience Story

From Humble Beginnings to Healing Hands

A journey of grit, medicine, survival, and reinvention. Personal chapters that shaped a leader, mentor, and author.

Dr. Rashida Vassell, a smiling woman with short curly hair wearing a sleeveless white dress, sitting on a reddish-brown velvet couch in a room with light wood-paneled walls, a lamp, and framed artwork.

The Foundation of Grit

Chapter 1

Born in Jamaica and raised in the Bronx, Dr. Vassell’s early years were shaped by tenacity and the pursuit of education. Through programs like Upward Bound, she discovered a path that would lead from hardship to healing.

Dr. Rashida Vassell, a confident woman with short curly hair and earrings standing with arms crossed in a spa or skincare clinic, with shelves of skincare products behind her.

Chapter 2

The Fire of Training

At Sophie Davis and through surgical training, Dr. Vassell navigated demanding clinical environments while balancing motherhood and leadership roles. These seasons forged her resilience and commitment to patient-centered care.

Dr. Rashida Vassell, a young woman with short curly hair, wearing a sleeveless white top and long earring, looks to her left with her right arm raised and resting on her head, standing against a dark background.

The Ultimate Pivot

Chapter 3

A cancer diagnosis led to a decisive pivot: building Safahla Medical and creating a model of care rooted in empathy, evidence, and independence. Her survival turned into a mission to rewrite what’s possible.

Book — Coming Soon

"Your Journey Is Your Own: Redefining Your Future Through Resilience"

Dr. Vassell’s forthcoming book explores the lessons that shaped her: from migration and medical training to survival and entrepreneurship. It’s a practical, soulful guide for professionals redefining success on their own terms.