Overview
LaDonna Hale is a tenured Professor in the Department of Physician Associate at WSU. Professor Hale earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas in 1995 and Master of Theological Studies from Newman University in 2022.
Her years of clinical experience in independent retail, hospital pharmacy, and nursing home consulting add a wealth of practical knowledge to her role. She actively participates in teaching, research, and community service and volunteers at Guadalupe Clinic (JayDoc). Her research interests include interprofessional education and clinical practice and improving the health of older adults.
For over 28 years Professor Hale has taught advanced pharmacotherapy, research methods, and evidence-based practice courses to students from various health disciplines, earning recognition with both College and University-level teaching awards. She is dedicated to inspiring enthusiasm and passion for learning, providing students with the essential tools to become skilled colleagues – PAs who effectively apply their evidence-based medicine and pharmacology knowledge to practice medicine safely and improve patient care.
“I feel honored and blessed to be an educator. I love learning alongside my students every day. PAs must acquire not only knowledge, but also the art of medicine and the essence of being a healthcare provider and lifelong learner.”
Grants
Grants are used to fund research, community-service projects, equipment for the PA Program, curriculum development, and other endeavors.
- 2025. Hale LS, Advancing PA Education and Clinical Partnerships in Treating Substance Use Disorder. Kansas Fights Addiction (KFA) Centers of Excellence. Funded $10,000.
- 2025. Dudley C, Ohlman E, Hale LS, Rogers C, Lewia S. PA Community Ophthalmologic Outreach: Education, Assessment, Training. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $6,900.
- 2024. Hale LS, Slade J. Expanding Healthcare Access in Rural Kansas through Development of Rural Training Hubs. Patterson Family Foundation. Funded $332,000.
- 2022. Dudley C, Hanneman R, Hale LS. Improving Ophthalmology Instruction and Clinical Learning Opportunities for PA Students. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $6,569.
- 2017. Wallace M (PI), Frizzel H, Hartke R, Huntley A, Kyllo J, Russel A, Hale LS. The Risk of Recreational Trampoline Use in the Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Study. Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation Grant (WMREF). Funded $3,000.
- 2017. Rogers C (PI), Hale LS. Incorporation of Smiles for Life: A National Oral Health Curriculum into PA Education Curriculum. Physician Assistant Oral Health Research Integration Grant, NCCPA Health Foundation. Funded $3,000.
- 2015. Hale LS (PI), Drassen-Ham A, Rogers N. Falling Less in Kansas Toolkit (Spanish Version) Distribution & Education. Riverside Health Foundation Development Fund. Funded $500.
- 2015. Hale LS (PI), Drassen-Ham A, Rogers N. Dissemination of the Falling LinKS Toolkit throughout Kansas. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $2,919.
- 2014. Rogers NL (PI), Hale LS, Radebaugh TS. Falling Less in Kansas: Spanish Translation. WSU CHP Interprofessional Education Fund. Funded $3047.
- 2014. Wallace M (PI), Hale LS. Increasing accessibility of the audience response system. WSU CHP Technology Fund. Funded $2,400.
- 2013. Hale LS. Funding for development and improvement of online instruction in the interprofessional evidence-based practice and research methods graduate course. WSU CHP Interprofessional Education Fund. Funded $10,000.
- 2012. Hale LS. Development and improvement of online instruction in the interprofessional evidence-based practice and research methods graduate course. WSU CHP Technology Fund Application. Funded $9,000.
- 2011. Rogers NL (PI), Hale LS, Rogers M, Radebaugh TS, Falling LinKS: Development of training materials for home health aides. WSU Multidisciplinary Research Project Award (MURPA). Funded $4,962.
- 2010. Hale LS (PI), Keuter KR, Rogers NL, Regional Institute on Aging Falling LinKS Research Team. Readability, usability, and practicality of a locally developed fall prevention toolkit for older adults. WSU University Research / Creative Projects Award. Funded $4,500.
- 2009. Elder BL (PI), Hale LS, Bahner CA, Regional Institute on Aging Falling LinKS Research Team. Readability and suitability of falls related health information for older adults with age-related low vision. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $3,500.
- 2008. Hale LS (PI), Nyberg SM, Keuter K. Kansas health care providers’ knowledge/attitudes regarding falls prevention. Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research Program, WSU Regional Institute on Aging. Funded $20,000.
- 2008. Radebaugh TS (PI), Regional Institute on Aging Falling LinKS Research Team. Falling Less in Kansas (Falling LinKS) toolkit development. United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. Funded $41,250.
- 2007. Hale LS. Evaluation of the effectiveness of a sepsis response team in the treatment of severe sepsis in older persons and possible ageism. WSU Regional Institute on Aging. Funded $10,000.
- 2006. Day DB (PI), Hale LS, Hermes K, Griffin A, Manske RC, Reiman M, authors listed alphabetically. Growth in critical thinking dispositions in health professions students and the relationship with learning styles. WSU University Research / Creative Projects Award. Funded $3,515.
- 2004. Kramer J(PI), Hopkins P, Cochran P, Garrelts J, Hale LS, Nester TM, Eidem L, Haneke R, Rosendale J. Collaborative pharmacist and nurse before/after study to evaluate patient safety using electronically standardized admission and discharge medication reconciliation in a tertiary care hospital. American Society of Health-System Pharmacist Foundation. Funded $40,000.
- 2003. Hale LS, Eckert R, Lewis K, Wilson C. Multidisciplinary instruction designed to enhance interface between physical therapists and persons with visual impairment and diabetes. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $10,000.
- 2002. Lewis K (PI), Eckert R, Hale LS, Wilson C. Multidisciplinary instruction on interviewing and screening using standardized patients. WSU CHP Clifford & Leah Gaulter Memorial Fund. Funded $8,682.