Bella graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) in 1993. During that time she also received certification from the National Acupuncture Detox Association (NADA). She received a Masters in Public Health from Boston University in 1984 and worked for several years for the Mass. Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse. She has also worked as a Physician Assistant (PA) in a neighborhood health center in Dorchester (Uphams Corner).

As an acupuncturist she has participated in a number of research projects both at the Harvard Osher Institute and at NESA. 

Bella has worked with Pathways since 1991 and provides care to patients at Pathways’ satellite clinic at Cambridge Hospital.