The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, sends our condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and our tribal community following the passing of beloved and cherished Dr. Joseph Bell.

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, sends our condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and our tribal community following the passing of beloved and cherished Dr. Joseph Bell. Dr. Bell passed from this earthly life on Monday. Dr. Bell, a celebrated citizen of the Lumbee Tribe, will be remembered for his warm smile and his humble way of caring for our community. He will be especially remembered for his love for children and his diligence to see them healthy.

Dr. Bell was a trailblazer who had a dream. In 1986, he became the first Lumbee pediatrician and the first American Indian pediatrician in N.C. as he graduated from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine. He followed his passion and returned home to establish Pembroke Pediatrics in 1998. Dr. Bell would become the pediatrician for thousands of children, not only in the Lumbee community, but other tribal communities. In addition to his practice in Pembroke, he served as the pediatrician at the Catawba Indian Health Services unit for 25 years. He also worked at Carl Albert Indian Hospital, Choctaw Nation Indian Hospital, and Robeson Healthcare Corporation.

Reflecting on the life of Dr. Bell, Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery  remembered his never ending advocacy for community. "Dr. Joey Bell was a strong and outspoken advocate for American Indian health, but especially in the areas of obesity and diabetes prevention among American Indian youth," said Chairman Lowery. "His practice in Pembroke enabled him to not only improve health outcomes for our tribal community, but also provide an example for future Native physicians".

Dr. Bell’s tireless work was celebrated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Native American Child Health, as he was honored with the prestigious Native American Child Health Advocacy Award.

He represented all tribal communities as his advocacy for Native Children brought him to serve on various committees including the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Native American Child Health, the N.C. Pediatric Society, former President of the Association of American Indian Physicians, N.C. American Indian Health Board and he was a liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Native American Child Health.

In 2023, NC Governor Roy Cooper recognized Dr. Bell for his years of service and dedication to serving Native American children and communities. On behalf of our tribal nation, Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery also honored Dr. Bell with an Eagle Feather and a proclamation and thanked him for making a difference for the Lumbee People and children across the Southeast. As always, he welcomed our Tribal staff and Tribal Council with a warm smile and his humble way.

Dr. Bell’s passing leaves our community in sorrow, but his legacy as a beloved physician and healer will live on forever in the children he took care of and the communities that he served diligently to keep whole.