Dr. Petronella Bell, MD DFAACAP
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | Advocate | Educator | Program Developer
Dr. Petronella Bell, MD DFAACAP
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | Advocate | Educator | Program Developer
Dr. Petronella Bell is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with a passion for building systems that support pediatric mental health. A Cameroonian -American and devoted Christian, married to Reverend Curtis Bell Jr. Dr. Bell brings a culturally informed, trauma-sensitive, and collaborative approach to care.
She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tranquil Haven, a private outpatient psychiatry practice serving children and adolescents. In addition, she works with the FSU BH IMPACT program, providing psychiatric consultations to primary care providers in the Big Bend area of Florida, supporting early intervention and integrated mental health care.
Dr. Bell completed her medical education at Ross University School of Medicine. She matched into Morehouse School of Medicine Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Residency Program, where she completed her psychiatry internship and the first 3 yrs of her General Psychiatry residency. She fast tracked into her Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Carilion Virginia Tech, where she received both General Psychiatry Degree and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship certifications. Her training and professional journey has spanned most systems within which children obtain mental health care.
A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Bell is actively involved with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). She serves on the Systems of Care committee, co-chairs multiple initiatives, and contributes to national efforts around suicide prevention, preventative mental health, education and training, mentorship, advocacy, acute psychiatric care, and psychopharmacology. She is also the secretary, delegate and advocacy liaison for her local AACAP chapter.
Dr. Bell’s academic and research interests include Systems of Care, Preventative Mental Health, Psychiatric crisis systems, Suicide prevention, Diversity and Culture, Quality improvement & research in child psychiatry, Traum informed Care, Inclusive leadership, Pediatric Psychiatry Program Development, Graduate Medical and Postgraduate Medical Education, Global Mental Health, Psychopharmacology.
She has authored numerous articles, educational materials, and policy documents, and has received awards for her teaching and professionalism, including the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award.
Outside of her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Bell is an active community member and mentor. She enjoys reading, gardening, biking, baking, traveling, and leading a faith-based book club. Her greatest joy lies in helping children and families thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi