DR Rochelle Allison Bailey grew up around medicine.

Her father is an acclaimed public health specialist, her mother is a retired nurse, and her sister is a resident in psychiatry at the The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

Being the most recent Bailey to enter the profession, she is adamant that her journey to the white coat was ordained.

“I was always more drawn to the sciences growing up; I just so happened to excel better in it than the arts. Whether or not I grew up surrounded by medicine, I have always bonded with it and I just knew that was the path destined for me. Growing up with both parents in the medical field was a true blessing. My parents are my beacon of hope,” the Runaway Bay, St Ann, resident told the Jamaica Observer in an interview.

“Though they were mostly busy, I was well taken care of and guided beautifully to manoeuvre through the hurdles of life with a tough love mentality that has shaped me tremendously. I am the daughter of past president of the Medical Association of Jamaica, public health specialist and family physician Dr Alverston Bailey. My sister is a resident in psychiatry at UWI, and my mother is a retired registered nurse,” she continued.

Bailey, 30, described her childhood as “a bit of a colourful one, riddled with a few challenges”. Nonetheless, she shared that she was able to overcome.

Bailey attended The Glen Preparatory School, then went on to Hampton School for Girls where she attained 11 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificates (CSEC) passes and seven units at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.

She studied medicine at Texila American University in Guyana, where she received a bachelor’s degree in medicine in 2021.

Bailey told the Sunday Observer that it took real grit to stay the course, as she experienced early childhood trauma which affected her for the majority of her childhood and adult years.

“The childhood trauma involved acts of violation to my body by an individual who was placed in high authority — a pastor. But despite the odds I was always motivated by the phrases: I can, I will, I must. When life got burdensome I simply reminded myself that I am gifted, I was made for a purpose, I am destined for perpetual greatness, and I am the best and I will continue to keep shining,” she related.

“My past allowed me to garner inner strength, courage and resilience. My journey thus far has been phenomenal, but it wasn’t an easy road. There were many roadblocks, days I felt like giving up, days I wondered if my life had any true meaning or value. But my inner drive to succeed and become the best version of myself allowed me to persevere, despite the self-doubt.”

Bailey said her greatest achievement to date is obtaining her medical degree, and noted that her long-term goal is to pursue her postgraduate degree in psychiatry or paediatrics.

She recently completed an internship at Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary and is currently preparing for the next step of her medical journey — to become a senior house officer (SHO) at a regional hospital.

“It has truly been my greatest accomplishment as I enjoy serving my country by helping to bring my patients back to a healthy baseline state. Medicine is life, and just knowing that my clinical skills and competencies are capable of bringing restoration to health makes my heart burst with overwhelming joy,” Bailey told the Sunday Observer.

While studying medicine Bailey oftentimes shelved her white coat for swimsuits, as she has been modelling professionally for five years.

“I decided to start modeling as it allows me to feel confident, brave, strong and powerful. In front of the camera I am fearless, and it is my dream to one day become an international model and share my beauty and talent with the world at large. A woman is the full circle; within her is the power to create, nurture and transform — and I believe that I have the potential to bring about a huge transformation to the society at large.

“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself and that is exactly who I am — fearless. I am often guided by the saying, ‘Power is not given to you, you have to take it,’ and with that said I use every opportunity to take as much power from every hurdle life throws at me. I am brave, bold and beautiful and I wish to continue to make a great impact in the modelling industry.”

She also has a predilection for charity work and has her eyes set on developing her own.

“What’s next for me? Establishing my nonprofit organisation: ‘Allison’s ONE HOPE’, which is geared at bringing hope to those who have felt lost, hopeless, depressed, alone and indifferent. I plan on specialising in the field of psychiatry as I believe there is no better health than…good mental health.”

Poetry is another one of Bailey’s loves and she plans to release her first chapbook — a small collection of poetry — under the title A Taste of Light and Dark, by the end of this year.