Dr. Stella Recognized for "LIFETIME" of Outstanding Leadership

NOVEMBER 1, 2009 – COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION ARE TWO TRAITS THAT RUN THROUGH THE OUTSTANDING CAREER OF JOSEPH W. STELLA, DO, WHO WAS RECOGNIZED DURING THE AOF’S HONORS CELEBRATION IN NEW ORLEANS.

Dr. Stella faced many challenges throughout his career as both a naval officer and as a practicing osteopathic family physician. After graduating from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1943, Dr. Stella joined the Navy to fight in World War II. His DO degree was not recognized by the U.S. Military, therefore, he was not allowed to serve as a “medical officer.” Nevertheless, Dr. Stella fulfilled his obligation to his country as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy until 1946.

After his tour of duty, Dr. Stella began a general medicine practice in Hawaii; facing the challenge of maintaining a medical practice without hospital privileges. During his 17 years in Hawaii, he acquired an understanding of what it means to practice in a state with less than 10 DOs – an insight that he carried with him throughout his career.

His experiences in both the Navy and Hawaii gave him the impetus to strive for changes in the medical environment and become involved with the politics of the profession. In 1963, he settled in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he held numerous leadership positions.

His political career continued on a national level, serving on the AOA House of Delegates for some 40 years and as a member of its Board of Trustees for 12 years. His desire to work for the good of the profession led him to the pivotal position of President of the AOA. During his 1987-88 presidency, Dr. Stella sought solutions based on the profession’s heritage, and on its tradition of anticipating change. He dealt with the crisis in osteopathic graduate medical education caused by the closing of AOA-accredited hospitals with internship and residency programs, he worked to ensure that AOA would recognize the allopathic training of DO residents, and he strived to warned the profession about “difficult to recognize” enemies like complacency, lack of unity of purpose, and absence of career-long commitment to the profession.

Facing many challenges throughout his career, Dr. Stella stepped up to the plate to help put today’s osteopathic physicians in a better place.

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