He received his Bachelors of Science degrees from Oklahoma State University in 1997 and his MD degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 2001. Dr Bell completed his combined residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics at Duke University Medicinal Center in 2005, then stayed on as chief resident for an additional six months before joining Texas Tech in 2006. Dr. Bell was recognized with the 2004 "Golden Apple Teaching Award" for the best resident teacher at Duke University Medical Center. At the University of Arkansas he was awarded the Tom Dugan Award for Outstanding Senior in Pediatrics.