“Speak their language.”
Growing up in rural Montana, Student Doctor Daysha Schell witnessed firsthand how her father’s asthma shaped their family life — from fearing ambulance costs to carrying an inhaler as a symbol of responsibility. Those experiences left an indelible mark, inspiring a lifelong commitment to serve patients who face barriers to care.
“The first thing that comes to mind about my father’s health journey is the emotional impact it had on me growing up,” Student Dr. Schell reflects. “Children shouldn’t have to bear those kinds of responsibilities for their parents, but it felt normal at the time. Looking back, it motivates me to support rural, low-income, and underserved communities — to be the provider I wished we had.”
For Student Dr. Schell, language access is a critical piece of patient care. Learning Spanish in middle school initially helped her communicate with family in California, but volunteering in high school revealed a larger need.
“I saw language barriers preventing patients from getting proper care.”
“Telehealth sometimes left them feeling alienated, and providers couldn’t always communicate effectively. I want to bridge that gap myself, building trust and improving health outcomes.”
Her vision extends beyond the clinic. “I hope to offer children growing up like I did guidance and education on navigating healthcare scares,” she says. “While I can’t remove all barriers, I want to provide tools, resources, and outreach programs — including telehealth — so families have a support system I wish we had.”
Through personal experience and cultural awareness, Student Dr. Schell embodies PNWU’s mission: meeting patients where they are, listening deeply, and providing care that goes beyond medicine to address the whole person.