Faculty Profile

Biography

Dr. Rashida S. Vassell is an accomplished physician, entrepreneur, and double board-certified specialist. Dr. Vassell’s career is built on a robust foundation of clinical excellence and institutional leadership. After earning her medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, she completed her General Surgery training at the University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident in her final year. During a dedicated research year at UVM, she also obtained a graduate certification in Clinical and Translational Science.

She is double board-certified as a Wound Specialist and in Anti-Aging Medicine. Her tenure as a principal Medical Director in Utilization Management cemented her expertise in health informatics, quality assurance, and the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines. Dr. Vassell has also contributed significantly to oncological research. Her published work investigates the clinical impact of various biopsy methods on the quality of surgical management in cutaneous melanoma. Specifically, her research evaluated how partial biopsy techniques influence the accuracy of Breslow depth staging and how those methods affect subsequent surgical recommendations, providing highly valuable insights for dermatologists and surgeons alike. A passionate advocate for life-long learning and the ever-evolving practice of medicine, Dr. Vassell serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). In this role, she helps mentor the next generation of physicians, sharing her expertise in surgical medicine and patient-centric care.