Inspiring strength through passion for the future.

The Stephen E. Codella Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting individuals and institutions by offering opportunities for advancement through education, research, and exploration, emulating the values of the late Stephen E. Codella MD.

Who We Are &

What We Do

This foundation was created to honor the legacy and spread the inspiring story of the late Stephen E. Codella, who faced cancer with incredible strength and a passionate commitment to his future. Inspired by Steve's resilience and his unwavering dedication to his pursuits in both medicine and music, the Stephen E. Codella MD Memorial Foundation aims to empower individuals who exemplify similar courage and determination.

We provide funding and resources to help these resilient individuals realize their potential, just as Steve relentlessly pursued his dreams despite adversity. Through scholarships, research grants, and support programs, we encourage hope and tenacity, reflecting Steve's spirit and helping others to forge their path forward with optimism and purpose.

Upcoming Events

March 24th, 2025

Iron Hill Brewery in
Voorhees, NJ

Dine and Donate

They’ll donate 20% of your food bill* to the Stephen E. Codella MD Memorial Foundation.

Show the digital flyer on the right to your server or bartender to participate.

13107 Town Center Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043

*excluding alcoholic beverages, gratuity, & taxes

March 30th, 2025

Race Day Details

Race Start Time for Both Distances

7:20 AM
National anthem

7:30 AM
RACE START​

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Finish Festival Opens featuring Beer Garden and Philly Food Trucks 

LOVE RUN PHILLY | Half Marathon & 7K


March 2026

Stephen E. Codella MD Memorial Foundation Gala

How You Can Help

Donate to the Foundation

Your donations directly support our scholarships, research grants, and programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Attend Our Events

See our upcoming events section for ways you can get involved.

Our first annual gala was a huge success, and we’re already looking forward to the next one! Stay tuned for more details on our early 2026 event. Thank you for your continued support—we can’t wait to celebrate with you again!

Get Involved

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Get Involved -

We are an organization fueled by volunteers. If you are interested in joining our team in any capacity, please fill out our form and let us know how you wish to be involved. Some of our needs include but are not limited to:

  • Host a Dine and Donate

  • Join our Planning Committee

  • Plan and post content to our social media accounts

  • Write and distribute our quarterly newsletter

  • Assist with Website Design

  • Accounting

Donations Made Possible by Your Generosity

We are thrilled to share the incredible impact of our community’s support during the annual gala! Together, we raised $42,000 to support two life-changing scholarship funds.

🩺 $21,000 has been donated to the Temple PCCM Endowed Fund, empowering the next generation of medical professionals specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine.

🎓 $21,000 has been donated to the Stephen Codella MD ’08 Scholarship at St. Joseph’s Prep, opening doors for deserving students to pursue their academic dreams.

A Night to Remember: The Inaugural Steve Codella Memorial Foundation Gala

Our first annual gala was an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, connection, and hope. Guests gathered to honor Steve’s legacy, celebrating his passion for helping others while raising vital funds for scholarships that support future leaders in medicine and education.

Your Support in Action

Helping Others Inspire Their Strength Through Passion for the Future

In honor of Stephen E. Codella, MD, this scholarship supports students from New Jersey and Pennsylvania at St. Joseph’s Prep who excel in math and science while nurturing a love for music or the arts. Your contributions help keep Stephen's memory alive by fostering the academic and artistic passions of promising young minds.

Donations in memory of Stephen Codella to Temple University Hospital's Pulmonary Department are dedicated to advancing the research and training of Pulmonary/Critical Care physicians. Your generosity aids in the development of medical professionals who will go on to make significant impacts in the field of pulmonary care.

Meet the Recipients of the Temple Pulmonary Endowment Fund

The Stephen E. Codella MD Foundation uplifts and supports future leaders through scholarships at Saint Joseph's Prep and research funding for Pulmonary/Critical Care fellows at Temple University Hospital. These opportunities honor Stephen's passion for education, music, and scientific advancement, fostering growth and potential in individuals who embody his values.

  • Dr. Jin Sun Kim, a recent graduate from the pulmonary and critical care fellowship program at Temple University Hospital, was honored with the Stephen Codella research scholarship in 2024. This award holds special significance as Stephen Codella was a co-fellow in her class, embodying values of hard work, patient care, research, and evidence-based medicine. Dr. Kim's passion lies in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation, both in clinical practice and research.

    During her fellowship, she deepened her understanding of advanced lung diseases, culminating in her participation at the American Thoracic Society conference in San Diego 2024. There, she co-chaired a clinical session on the management of pulmonary sarcoidosis alongside field experts. Dr. Kim also presented a case report on xylazine-induced bronchocutaneous fistula and collaborated with an internal medicine resident on outcomes of lung transplantation in patients with sarcoidosis.

    Dr. Kim eagerly anticipates joining the Temple Lung Center faculty in fall 2024, where she hopes to continue Stephen Codella's legacy, make impactful contributions to pulmonary medicine and help patients. Her commitment to compassionate patient care and ongoing research is a reflection of her dedication to improving outcomes in her field. 


  • Dr. Bilal H. Lashari was born and raised in Pakistan, where he completed his medical degree at Shifa College of Medicine in Islamabad. He then moved to the United States for residency training at Abington Jefferson Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Lashari earned a Master of Public Health from the University of London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and subsequently joined the Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship at Temple University. There, he received significant mentorship, particularly in research, and was awarded the Codella Award, allowing him to attend the ATS conference in Washington D.C. in 2023. At the conference, he engaged with leaders in the field and explored new advances in pulmonary and critical care. Dr. Lashari is now a faculty member at Temple University and is dedicated to mentoring students, residents, and fellows in their careers.

Steve’s Story

In loving memory of Stephen E. Codella

March 24, 1990 - January 27, 2022

Steve's early life revealed a prodigious talent for music, an avenue where his creativity knew no bounds. Whether in front of a piano, strumming a guitar, behind a drum kit, or playing the saxophone, he was a natural, with a magnetic presence that captivated crowds without fail.

In his academic pursuits, Steve was as diligent as he was in his music. He thrived at St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia and carried that dedication into his studies at Fordham University, where he embraced the rigors of pre-med with determination. Returning to Philadelphia, he graduated from medical school at Thomas Jefferson with the vision to touch lives through healing.

His journey in medicine continued with a residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital and subsequently a fellowship in Critical Care/Pulmonology, also at Temple Hospital. He served as a nocturnal hospitalist in the Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit during the height of Covid, caring for the sickest patients. On the cusp of beginning his fellowship, Steve faced an unexpected challenge: an aggressive form of head and neck cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. Yet, he confronted this new reality with remarkable fortitude, continuing his studies and focusing on his commitment to his future and the people he aspired to help.

Steve's unwavering positivity in the face of adversity has been a profound source of inspiration. It is this same enduring spirit that catalyzed the creation of the Stephen E. Codella MD Memorial Foundation. Our mission is to embody Steve's tenacity and compassionate spirit, uplifting and supporting others through their challenges. We invite you to be part of this continuing story of hope and determination.

Thank You to Our Top 2024 Gala Sponsors


EVENT SPONSOR


VENUE SPONSOR


AUDIOVISUAL SPONSOR


PRESENTATION & AWARDS SPONSOR

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Let’s make an impact together.