Arkana Physician Spotlight: Dr. Bell

Dr. Bell graduated in 1981 from the University of Nebraska with a BS in Life Sciences (with Highest Distinction), and in 1985 from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She completed a pathology residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and was chief resident during her tenure. After residency, Dr. Bell joined UAMS as an Assistant Professor in anatomic and clinical pathology and later had appointments at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock as well as Arkansas Children’s Hospital before coming to Arkana (then Nephropath) in 2004.

Dr. Bell was the first renal pathologist fellow to come onboard to Arkana. This took a considerable leap of faith as Arkana was a nascent company and Dr. Walker was attempting to create a completely new model of what a renal pathology practice could be. During her tenure, Dr. Bell has provided countless hours of teaching, coaching, and instruction to numerous renal pathology fellows as well as providing exceptional care to thousands of patients. Dr. Bell has a fierce intellect and is known for her candid, honest approach. She has great insight and has been a mentor to many of our physicians as they have navigated their entrance into renal pathology and Arkana, always willing to bring clarity to a situation we faced or provide a bit of wisdom when difficult decisions arose. When away from Arkana, Dr. Bell is an entrepreneur, managing a thriving sewing and embroidery store where she has taught hundreds of Arkansans the art of clothes making and embroidery. Dr. Bell works with the Arkansas chapter of the Smocking Arts Guild of America on programs such as Wee Care, where members sew and smock gowns and donate them to local hospitals to clothe babies who die at birth or shortly after. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and family.

Arkana is blessed to have Dr. Bell and we feel a deep sense of gratitude for the foundation of excellence she modeled as the first fellow to join Dr. Walker in this practice. For fourteen years, Dr. Bell has brought kindness, warmth, and a strong streak of pragmatism to Arkana and we are all the better for it. We are proud to call her our own.