Dr. Shaquita Bell serves as Associate Vice President and Chief Medical Director of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) at Seattle Children’s, where she carries forward a legacy of community-centered pediatric care rooted in equity and justice. She is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and holds the Janet and Jim Sinegal Endowed Chair for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic.
Can you share a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in academic medicine?
I was born and raised in Minnesota. I am Black on my father’s side and Cherokee on my mother’s side. I was raised in a family that was very proud of who we are. My parents instilled a strong sense of justice from a young age. When I reflect on the fact that my sisters are all in service fields as well, it is clear that we also learned the importance of community that we are stronger together.
Academic medicine attracted me because of the balance it offers: service (work in societies and organizations, educating learners, advocacy), clinical work (seeing the patients!), and scholarly work (research). At a core value level, I have always believed that health care should be for all. I wanted to work in places and spaces that served everyone without limiting care based on insurance or ability to pay. I found all of that in academic medicine.
How has your identity shaped the way you approach your work, teaching or research?
Because I am both unapologetically Black and Indigenous, that identity shows up in nearly everything I do. From hearing things with a different ear to fiercely centering humans over systems and profits, I cannot separate who I am from how I approach my work.
I am committed to working in spaces with colleagues, patients, families and communities that reflect the places and spaces I grew up in. I am incredibly honored to serve at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, carrying on the legacy of generations of powerful Black leaders. In part because of my identity, I have clarity around both the history of this clinic and the shaping of its future, one that will continue to serve the Black community of Seattle and all children who need or want care from us.
What advice or encouragement would you offer to Black students or young professionals who are thinking about a future in medicine or science?
I love my job. I am incredibly honored to be trusted to care for people’s children. I am incredibly honored to lead the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic. And it is hard. Often you will hear that things are hard, or that it is harder now than ever. The truth is that doing hard things is hard. The only way through those struggles is through. It is worth it. If you try, if you fight, and if you do something you love, it is worth it.
Looking back, what are some of the career moments you feel most proud of?
I learned how to lead by working with Alicia Tieder and Tumaini Coker in what was then named the Center for Diversity and Health Equity. It was my first institutional leadership role and the first time I was surrounded by other Black women leaders. I learned so much.
I am also incredibly proud of the growth of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic over the last five years. We have opened new clinics, doubled patient volumes, secured financial stability and continued serving our community with quality care and dignity.
What’s ahead for you?
We are just starting to talk about what it might mean to pull people out of poverty or, as Dr. Leslie Walker says, to create the vital conditions for flourishing. OBCC has done so much to meet the medical, dental and mental health needs of our community, but we could do more.
We can go upstream and address drivers of health such as housing, financial stability, parenting skills and more. And we can do all of that together with our community partners and patients and families.
What brings you joy or keeps you grounded outside of work?
I try to find joy in as many moments as possible. From about April to October, you can find me swimming for miles in Lake Washington. Last year I started learning to sew and have enjoyed making garments and gifts. I also took up watercolor painting making birthday and holiday cards has been very fun. Reading is another way I escape; I love all genres and am often reading several books at once.