After completing an internal medicine internship at the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine in Johnson City, Dr. Stella pursued an oncology residency at the University of Miami, Jackson Hospital and a radiation oncology residency at the West Coast Cancer Foundation in San Francisco. His training included rotations through the University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University, and Lawrence Berkeley Lab, studying the therapeutic applications of stripped atomic nuclei. Dr. Stella now serves as medical director for San Luis Radiation Oncology, and is active in many societies, including the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.

Dr. Stella is affiliated with San Luis Radiation Oncology Medical Center in San Luis Obispo.