Joseph W. Stella

Joseph W. Stella
Dr. Joseph W. Stella, DO, 92, of Whitehall, PA, died Saturday, May 22, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Darlene F. (Fink) Stella, together they celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary November 7, 2009. Born in New York City, NY he was the son of the late Guiseppie and Katalda (Sapienza) Stella. Dr. Stella was employed by St. Lukes Hospital as an Emergency Room Physician for both St. Lukes Bethlehem and Allentown until retiring in 2005. He served the hospital in various positions for 30 years. Prior to he operated his own family practice in Allentown, PA from 1963 to 1975. Prior to that he had a family practice in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1946 to 1963. He was a graduate of Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH earning his A.B. Degree in 1939. Furthering his education at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Missouri and earning his D.O. degree in 1943. He then served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He served his postgraduate internship at the former Allentown Osteopathic Hospital, Allentown, PA. He was certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practitioners - 1973 and recertified in 1995. The American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine - 1986. He was a Certified Instructor of Basic Life Support and Certified Instructor of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. He held the following positions throughout his career: Associate Director Medical Education, Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center 1992 to 1995; Program Director Emergency Medicine Residency Lehigh Valley, PA 1993 to 2001; Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. 1980 to 1992; Regional Dean of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine 1993 to 1997; Regional Dean University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO 1993 to 1995; Vice President for Medical Affairs Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Allentown, PA 1987 to 1989; Acting Vice President for Medical Affairs Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Allentown, PA. 1985 to 1987, 1994 to 1995; Program Director, Family Practice Residency Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Allentown, PA. 1976 to 1987; Director, Emergency and Out-Patient Services Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Allentown, PA. 1975 to 1987, 1993 to 1994. His professional memberships include: American Osteopathic Association; PA Osteopathic Medical Association; Lehigh Valley Osteopathic Society; PA Osteopathic Family Practitioners Society; American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and Emergency Physicians; American Osteopathic Directors of Medical Education; and American Academy of Osteopathy. He was honored with the NOF Lifetime achievement Award-2009; LECOM Presidents Award-2008; Pioneer Award from the American Osteopathic Assoc.-2008; Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American College of Family Practitioners and Emergency Medicine-2007; Distinguished Service Award Kirksville College Medicine Alumni-2004; Honorary D.O. Education Degree Kirksville College-1999; AOA Distinguished Service Award-1998; AACOM Robert A. Kistner D.O. Award-1998; Physician Honoree Award Emergency Medicine St. Lukes Hospital- 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001; A.T. Still Memorial Lecturer-1996; Kirksville College Alumnus of the Year- 1994; Phillips Medal of Public Service Ohio University College-1992; Fellow Award American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians-1992; Award of Merit American Osteopathic Hospital Assoc.- 1990; Honorary Doctor of Law Degree Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-1989; Honorary Fellow Award American Osteopathic College of Rheumatology-1985; Distinguished Service Award PA Osteopathic General Practitioners Society-1982; Intern Teaching Award Allentown Osteopathic Hospital-1979; National General Practitioners of the Year-1978; PA. General Practitioner of the Year-1975; Fellow Award American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery-1973. His elected offices and appointments during his career are as follows: Member, Board of Trustees 1991 to 1997 and Chairman, Board of. Quality Assurance Committee 1993 to 1997 both at Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center; Member, Board of Trustees Lake Erie College Osteopathic Medicine; Chairman, Administrative Committee Allentown Osteopathic A.O.A. 1989-1990; President A.O.A. 1987 to 1988; Pres.-Elect A.O.A. 1986 to 1987; Pres. Advisory Committee A.O.A. 1990 to 1999; Member, Committee on Basic Documents of Affiliated Organizations A.O.A. 1980 to 1982; Chairman, Committee to Study Hospital Accreditation Requirements and State Laws A.O.A. 1979; Chairman, Committee on Health Related Policies A.O.A. 1978 to 1982; Member, Committee on Health Related Policies 1975 to 1978; Chairman, Appeal Committee on Hospital Accreditation A.O.A. 1974 to 1976; Vice Chairman, Committee on Hospital Accreditation A.O.A. 1974 to 1976; Member, Committee to study Method for Selection of Board of Trustees, A.O.A.-1982 to 1990; Chairman, Search Committee for Executive & Assoc. Director, A.O.A.-1972; Member, Bureau of Finance, A.O.A. 1982 to 1990; Chairman, Search Committee for Executive & Assoc. Director, A.O.A.-1981; Chairman, Committee on Student Loan Funds, A.O.A.-1981; Chairman, Dept. of Educational Affairs, A.O.A. 1982-1986; Member, Executive Committee A.O.A.-1982 to 1990; Member, Board of Trustees, A.O.A. 1978 to 1990; Member, House Delegates, A.O.A.-1968 to Present; Trustee, Whitehall Coplay Ambulance & Rescue Services 1989 to 1992; Trustee, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 1990 to 1991; Trustee, PA. Blue Shield 1986 to 1989; Inspector, Intern/Residency Programs, A.O.A. 1970 to Present; Medical Advisory Committee Visiting Nurses Assoc. 1977 to 1986; Trustee, Eastern PA. Health Care Council 1974 to 1983; Trustee Eastern PA. Emergency Medicine Services Council 1983 to 1989; Trustee, Eastern PA. Health Care Foundation 1974 to 1982, 1982 to 1984; Trustee, Eastern PA. Trauma Society 1976 to 1980; Trustee PA. Medical Care Foundation 1979 to 1990; Trustee, PA. Osteopathic Medical Assoc. 1964 to 1982, 1984 to 1986; Secretary, American College of General Practitioners 1975 to 1978; Secretary, PA. Osteopathic General Practitioners Society 1973 to 1994; President, PA. Osteopathic Medical Assoc. 1971 to 1972; President, Lehigh Valley Osteopathic Society 1968 to 1970; and President, Medical Staff Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center 1965 to 1966. Survivors: Surviving along with his wife Darlene are Two Daughters, Katherine Stella of Sunnyvale, CA, Karen VanNorman of Caldwell, N.J.; Two Sons, James Stella and wife Bea of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Joseph W. Stella, Jr. and wife Penny of Friday Harbor, WA; Step Son, Paul VanNorman, Gilbertsville, PA; Son-In-Law, John M. Tirpak of Whitehall, PA; Daughter-In-Law, Claudette Inman, British Columbia, Canada; A Sister, Mrs. Eugenia Eden of East Stroudsburg, PA; Seven Grandchildren, Jay, Jeffrey, Philip, Michael, Kaila, John Michael, and Morgan; Five Great-Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, James Inman (2005) and daughter, Michelle Tirpak (2003) and two brothers and a sister. Services: Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, May 28, 2010 at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Road, Allentown, PA 18103. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2010 at the Schisler Funeral Home, 2119 Washington Avenue, Northampton, PA 18067 and 9 to 11 a.m., May 28, prior to the services in the church. The Rev. Homer E. Royer will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions: Contributions may be made in his memory to the Church Memorial fund or St. Lukes Hospice both C/O the funeral home. On-line Condolences may be offered to the family at www.schislerfuneralhomes.com