An Update to the Community
7.7.23
Dear Community,
This summer I sat in dozens of waiting rooms, endured countless medical appointments, and multiple conversations about my personal and family medical history. Becoming a patient made me reflect on the work we do at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) where I am the Senior Medical Director and a pediatrician. I wanted to use this opportunity to share some of those thoughts and the many exciting updates happening now and in the future for OBCC.
I have never been prouder to be a part of OBCC. I spent several months trying to find a provider who is from a similar background to me, and while I was unsuccessful in that, I was lucky enough to find someone who partners with me and makes me feel that my care is their priority.
One glance at the OBCC website and you see how much easier it is to find all that and more in our clinic.
At Odessa Brown, we provide coordinated care to evaluate your child’s needs and abilities and create a custom treatment plan that fits the needs of your child and family. We coordinate care with rehabilitation therapies that are not easy to find anywhere in Seattle like physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
OBCC and Seattle Children’s are also committed to growing the OBCC sickle cell program into a Center of Excellence. Our patient families, community members and the Metropolitan Seattle Sickle Cell Task Force are incredible advocates for the sickle cell community and have helped us to understand what we need to do in order to take better care of children and young adults with sickle cell disease. To learn more and get involved, visit Sickle Cell Disease Program - Seattle Children's.
Last summer, our OBCC Central District location was temporarily closed after it was discovered during renovations that work beyond the scope of the original plan was needed to ensure safety. My decision, with the support of Seattle Children’s leadership, to close the clinic was difficult, but I firmly believed that it would be far too challenging to provide quality care with dignity in that space during renovations.
I also knew that we would stay true to our commitment then and now to stay in the Central District. I am excited to share that we will have an announcement soon about the Central District location and additional service offerings.
Finally, I wanted to end with an ask to everyone reading this letter. Please stay connected! Please continue to check our website and our Facebook page to find ways to stay involved and contribute to this process. The more people share their ideas, the better our clinic can serve and represent our community.
In community,
Shaquita Bell, MD
Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic
Othello Central District