(
out of
53
reviews
)
Specialties
- Family Medicine
- Women's Health
- Lifestyle Medicine
- Adult Behavioral Health - Outpatient
Board Certification
|
American Board of Family Medicine
American Board of Lifestyle Medicine
|
Patient Rating
Patients consistently praise Dr. Van Hala for being attentive, spending ample time, listening carefully, and clearly explaining diagnoses and treatment options. Many reports highlight her thoroughness, proactive preventive care, strong follow-through, and ability to coordinate multidisciplinary referrals. Some comments note office logistics concerns — occasional tardiness, difficulty with scheduling or follow-up communication — and one report criticized a resident's note-taking and communication during a visit. Overall feedback is strongly positive regarding clinical care and bedside manner, with occasional administrative issues.
Generated via Patient Reviews
4.6
/5
( out of
53 reviews
)
The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers. The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments |
Family & Preventive Medicine
-Professor (Clinical) |
|---|---|
| Board Certification |
American Board of Family Medicine
American Board of Lifestyle Medicine
|
Education history
| Undergraduate | Biology - University of Michigan | B.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Medical | Medicine - University of Michigan Medical School | M.D. |
| Research Fellow | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - University of Michigan, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Research Fellow |
| Internship | Family Medicine - University of Utah, Family & Preventive Medicine | Intern |
| Residency | Family Medicine - University of Utah, Family & Preventive Medicine | Resident |
| Chief Resident | Family Medicine - University of Utah, Family & Preventive Medicine | Chief Resident |
| Graduate Training | Public Health - University of Utah | M.P.H. |
| Fellowship | Curriculum Development - University of Utah, Family & Preventive Medicine | Academic Fellow |
| Fellowship | National Institute for Program Director Development (NIPPD) Fellowship | Fellow |
| Fellowship | David Eccles School of Business, Health Science Leadership Development Program 2016 | Mini-Fellowship |
Selected Publications
Journal Article
- Van Hala S, Taylor E, Cochella S (2024). Leadership Development in Graduate Medical Education: A Pilot Study of Implementation of a Validated Self-assessment Instrument. Family Medicine, 56(6), 387-392.
- Fortenberry KT, Cochella S, Stoesser K, Ose D, Taylor E, Frame K, Van Hala S (2022). Teaching Self-directed Learning Skills Through a Resident-Led Milestones Process. PRiMER, 6(40),
- Knox J, Fortenberry KT, Qeadan F, Tingey B, Holman A, Stoesser K, Van Hala (2021). Implementing an Anonymous Closed-Loop Feedback Process and Associations With ACGME Annual Survey Scores in a Family Medicine Residency. Family medicine, 53(10), 878-881.
- Pohl SD, Van Hala S, Ose D, Tingey B, Leiser JP. (2020). A Longitudinal Curriculum for Quality Improvement, Leadership Experience, and Scholarship in a Family Medicine Residency Program. Fam Med, 52(8), 570-575.
- Locke AB, Fortenberry KT, Sullivan E, Ose D, Tingey B, Qeadan F, Henson A, Van Hala S (2020). Use of a Feedback Survey as a Part of a Wellness Champions Program to Improve Academic Faculty Satisfaction and Burnout: Implications for Burnout in Academic Health Centers.. Glob Adv Health Med.
- Badarane D, Knox J, Camacho A, Magill MK, Van Hala S, Jones J (2019). Increasing Chlamydia Testing Rates via Targeted Outreach. PRiMER. 2019 Jan 1;3:17. PRiMER Peer-Reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research, 3(17),
- Van Hala S, Cochella S, Jaggi R, Frost C, Kiraly B, Pohl S, Gren L (2018). Development and Validation of the Foundational Healthcare Leadership Self-assessment. Fam Med, 50(4), 262-8.
- Jones KB, Fortenberry K, Sanyer O, Knighton R, Van Hala S (2018). Creation of a Family Medicine Residency Blog. Int J Psychiatry Med, 53(5-6), 427-435.
- Fortenberry KT, Van Hala S, Frost C (2017). Establishing a Culture of Intentional Wellness: Lessons From a Family Medicine Resident Focus Group. DOI:10.22454/PRiMER.2017.597444. 1(12),
- Saffel-Shrier S, Gunning K, Van Hala S, Farrell T, Lehmann W, Egger M, Miniclier N (2012). Residency redesign to accommodate trends in geriatrics: an RC-FM variance to establish a patient-centered medical home in an assisted living facility. Fam Med, 44(2), 128-31.
- Joy EA, Van Hala S, Cooper L (2009). Health-related concerns of the female athlete: a lifespan approach. Am Fam Physician, 79(6), 489-95.
- Hobson WL, Avant-Mier R, Cochella S, Van Hala S, Stanford J, Alder SC, Croskell SE (2005). Caring for the Underserved: Using Patient and Physician Focus Groups to Inform Curriculum Development. Ambul Pediatr, 5(2), 90-5.
- Joy EA, Van Hala S (2004). Musculoskeletal curricula in medical education: filling in the missing pieces. Phys Sportsmed, 32(11), 42-8.
- Joy EA, Van Hala S, Marshall E (2004). Pregnancy as an opportunity for behavior change. Curr Sports Med Rep, 3(6), 327-9.
- Bahng SC, Van Hala S, Nelson VS, Hurvitz EA, Roloff DW, Grady LA, Lewis CC (1998). Parental report of pediatric tracheostomy care. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 79(11), 1367-9.
- Van Hala S, Nelson VS, Hurvitz EA, Panzi A, Bloom DA, Ward MJ (1997). Bladder management in patients with pediatric onset neurogenic bladders. J Spinal Cord Med, 20(4), 410-5.
Commentary
- Van Hala S, Fortenberry K (2024). Primary Care Adult ADHD Evaluations. Commentary to “Adult ADHD Diagnosis in a Family Medicine Clinic”. Published online. Annals of family medicine,
Letter
- Fortenberry K, Knox J, Van Hala S (2018). What do Residents Want for Burnout Prevention? ¿ Time [Letter to the editor]. Acad Med, 93(3), 343-344.
- Van Hala S, Cochella S, Frost C, Gren L (2018). Collaborative Skills Essential to Leadership [Letter to the editor]. Fam Med, 50(9), 712-3.
- Jones KB, Sanyer O, Fortenberry K, Van Hala S (2017). Resident Education Through Blogging and Other Social Media Platforms. [Letter to the editor]. J Grad Med Educ, 9(2), 256-256.
- Van Hala S (2007). Maximizing workflow with an EHR. [Letter to the editor]. Fam Pract Manag, 14(6), 13.
Other
- Van Hala (2025). Delayed Diagnosis. 5,
- Van Hala (2024). A Harrowing Elixir. 3, 9.
- Van Hala (2023). The Snowstorm. Published online. As of 6/6/23: 7,025 views. JAMA,
- Van Hala (2023). The Snowstorm. JAMA, 329(20), 1742.
- Van Hala (2021). I Am Sorry, Honey. Voices From the Faculty: A Collection of Stories From University of Utah School of Medicine Faculty, 2, 23.
- Van Hala S (2010). The Autopsy (poem). Fam Med (6(42), p. 397).
- Van Hala S, Rowell (1996). Partner Violence: How You Can Recognize and Intervene in Partner Abuse, A Guide for Health Care Providers (Handbook).
Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast
- Van Hala (2019). Rose, Thorn, Bud.
- Stoesser K, Van Hala S (2019). VBAC (Vaginal birth after cesarean section).
- Pohl S, Van Hala S, Ransco M, Leiser (2018). How the University of Utah Prepares Family Medicine Residents to Lead Value Improvement Efforts.
- Fortenberry K, Knox J, Van Hala (2018). What Do Residents Want For Burnout Prevention? Time.
- Van Hala (2018). Tending to Transition.
- Van Hala (2017). Vulnerability in Leadership.
- Van Hala (2016). Who is YOUR Doctor?.
- Van Hala (2015). Transparency in Wellness.
- Van Hala (2015). You Don't Have to Feel Overwhelmed with Your First Newborn.
- Kiraly B, Van Hala (2014). Practice Management Curriculum: An Evolving Design.
- Van Hala (2014). Tenets for Internship and Beyond.
- Van Hala S, Leiser J, Kiraly B, Backman R, Jones (2013). Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in a Family Medicine Residency Program: Leveraging Three Missions.
- Leiser J, Van Hala S, Backman R, Kiraly (2011). Order From Chaos: Improving Quality of Care in a Resident/Faculty Practice Through Integrated Team Meetings.
- Van Hala S, Leiser J, Backman (2008). Tools to Implement and Teach the "Care Team Model" in a Family.
Dr. Van Hala has always been one of the best doctors to go to and work with. Even though I can't see her in person anymore, she's still my Go To for my PCP
Dr. Van Hala provided compassionate, thorough, and collaborative care. She took the time to listen, and as many patients know, this is becoming a rare attribute to find in a provider. I am so happy I found her.
Smart, knowledgeable, and also kind. Diagnosed me correctly based on what I thought were vague symptoms.
Excellent physician!
She is a great primary care doctor who tries very hard to get to know you as a whole person, not just your symptoms or problems. She has always worked with me to solve issues and explore solutions.
Amazing experience. Grateful that the clinic has Dr Van Hala on the team to support diagnoses, for which I would otherwise have to wait months. She was extremely kind, knowledgeable, and supportive.
I highly recommend Sonja Van Holla; she listens well and is a great Doctor.
Dr. Van Hala is kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. She listens to me and explores issues to develop an approach that considers my needs holistically.
This is an excellent doctor. I feel like you don't see people who manage to juggle kindness, efficiency, and be an excellent diagnostician. She is the whole package. Very impressive.
Dr. Hala is a wonderful, kind, and informative doctor. I would highly recommend her.
Dr. Sonya did not have any regard for my time as she was 10 minutes late and she did not make me feel secure and like I was going to get the treatment I need. Due to her tardy ness we had to schedule a follow up 2 months out to go over treatment. It seems like a money grab because if she was punctual we would have had the time to discuss this.
Dr Sonia is one of the most caring and supportive people I have ever met.
Dr. Van Hala is a caring doctor. She takes time to understand the issue, and provide personalized care. I appreciate the way she cares for patients.
I was initially unsure about connecting with a primary care provider virtually, but over time, I've come to appreciate the experience. While Dr. Van Hala can sometimes run behind schedule, our appointments are always productive and never feel rushed. She takes the time to explain and include me in my treatment plans, is proactive about preventative health, and is resourceful in consulting with colleagues when needed. also appreciate how she ensures my multidisciplinary care feels unified. She always addresses my questions, making me feel heard and involved in my care. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the care and attention she provides.
Very kind and a great listener. Explains things in a clear and concise way!
she is a caring doctor and takes the time to listen to people and is understanding.
Dr. Van Hala is the most amazing, kind, compassionate and brilliant doctor I have ever worked with. I appreciate her care for my health through the years more than words can explain and I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone, in person or online. She is the best!
Dr Van Hala is kind and a wonderful listener.
good care
Dr. Van Hala was awesome. She was kind and personable; listened to me and was very patient and detailed in her explanation.
It is always good to leave an appointment with great guidance & kindness.
Excellent experience. Professional, caring and knowledgeable.
This was the first encounter I had with Dr. Van Hala. She was extremely professional, thorough, helpful during my bout of Covid. I feel very fortunate to have been treated by her. The bottom line, I feel that I won the doctor lottery!
Please feel free to use the comment I made in the beginning of the survey.
Dr. Van Hala was listened to my concerns. She answered my questions and was kind and helpful.
Very gracious, polite, knowledgable
Good as always. So nice to be able to see her again so I dont have to re-explain everything every time
My husband overheard my conversation with Dr. Van Hala and commented, That was one of the BEST conversations Ive ever heard a doctor have with a patient! I wish my MD was that patient, caring and thorough! I felt grateful for her care.
Im SO HAPPY to be able to see her again, even virtually. I used to be in the camp that said any good doctor was good enough, especially if they worked in the same team. Ive since decided the relationship with a PCP is the only way to go for consistent care
Tele-health session to discuss my positive COVID test and treatment options. Dr. Van Hala was considerate and helpful.
Dr. Van Hala is the best She is very thorough with me, even if I cant workout She has a good heart & sense of humor...
dexa scan not addressed. fatigue not discussed. I did except the flu shot