Clothing choice says something about a person. In the case of someone I was privileged to meet a few times, it hinted at more than just tastes.
Dori Schatell wasn’t tall, but in her red jacket, she stood out in the same warm, comforting way as a cardinal in a snow-covered holly. Dori’s red jacket may have been a simple style choice, but it became iconic, the thing to look for at renal conferences, because it hinted at the towering personality of caring and kindness packed down into her small frame.
Dori was a freelance medical writer at Medical Media Associates when it became MEI. My friend and colleague, Debbie Brouwer-Maier met her around that time (the mid 1990’s) when Dori became technical support to help create the now world-famous KDOQI guidelines.
I asked Debbie about her first impression of Dori and her response was immediate: “Passionate about being a patient advocate. Her energy, positivity, and concern were all for the patients.”
Dori believed that patients should be empowered to participate in their own care long before it was in vogue. She championed Power to the People before it became medical, and the reason was simple…
Fear undermines progress, yes for most patients, but especially for dialysis patients. When fear rules, learning is stunted, and helplessness grips the mind. Dori believed in many things, but at the foundation, she believed in setting people free. That’s what breaking fear does. That’s what empowerment ultimately accomplishes.
I asked Debbie how her impression of Dori changed or deepened over the years, and she replied, “I came to realize she was always ahead of the curve.”
Dori wrote handbooks to help educate patients on their choices, to return modality selection to their hands long before the industry considered it. She argued that we shouldn’t just take off whatever fluid the body had accumulated since the body doesn’t tolerate large fluid shifts. In essence, Dori helped pave the way, so that as government and technology gradually came around, the educational materials had already been created—the road was already waiting to speed the transitions to better standards of care.
The first time I met Dori, she read my palm. I’d never considered having that done before, but there was something about Dori that made me trust her immediately. And I’m glad I did. She called out things about myself I didn’t think anyone knew. I became a little better person because of what she told me.
And that sort of unexpectedly wonderful interaction defined much of Dori.
In addition to the red jacket, she had lots of amazing earrings. At her memorial service, the family displayed many pairs, and asked friends and colleagues to choose the pair they wanted. Person after person chose based on a memory they had of Dori wearing a particular pair.
Dori also made angel ornaments out of antique handkerchiefs, so Debbie tells me. They will be going up on Debbie’s tree this year. Dori gave her so many that they practically cover the tree.
And I think Dori wouldn’t have it any other way. I know Debbie wouldn’t.
I could tell you what Dori said to me from my palm, but that’s just for me to know. And if I had to guess, I think that’s probably what happened with most of the earring, too. The people may have stated a simple reason or memory, but I’d bet it was often something deeper.
Because that’s usually how it works with a deeply caring person.
So what is the ultimate achievement of Dori’s life? Her advocacy? Her friends? Her contributions to renal guidelines?
No. It’s more basic than that:
The world is now a little better place to live because Dori Schatell was in it.
As always, thanks for reading.
Transonic Systems, Inc.
The Measure of Better Results
If you had the privilege of knowing this wonderful lady, follow the link below to leave a comment on her memoriam, or just read the ones that others left. And if you’re attending ASN 2026, stop by a say hi to Debbie Brouwer Maier, or chat with any of the countless people who knew and loved Dori. We’ll all miss her. [Image from Dori's LinkedIn]
Remembering Dori Schatell – Medical Education Institute