Watching her father’s advocacy for his patients was a source of inspiration to Shiella. Not surprisingly, Shiella Dowlatshahi sought a career in health care and patient advocacy, receiving a master’s degree in pain research, education, and public policy from Tufts School of Medicine in 2020. In 2014, she also received her certification as a professional inpatient safety (CPPS) from Duke University.

Shiella has focused on advocating for the patient, both personally and professionally. Shiella has been a board member of the New England Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation since 2015, advocating on behalf of patients with these autoimmune diseases.