When LaTonya Smith began her PhD journey at the George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing, she brought with her a wealth of professional experience, a deep personal commitment to aging populations, and a clear vision for the future of healthcare. Now, as she progresses through the program with an expected graduation date of 2027, Smith is making her mark as both a nurse scientist and a leader committed to reshaping patient outcomes through evidence-based research and holistic care models.
A Journey Rooted in Experience
Before embarking on her PhD, Smith had already made significant strides in healthcare leadership. A graduate of GW Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Leadership program, she served as a Global Clinical Trial Director, leading cross-functional teams across Oncology, Rare Diseases, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic sectors in the pharmaceutical industry. Her work involved strategic trial execution, regulatory submissions, and ensuring global alignment with scientific and medical objectives — experiences that sharpened her understanding of healthcare innovation on a global scale.
But her journey began long before her corporate leadership roles. Smith’s career started at the bedside, providing care to older adults in long-term care and home care settings. It was there, in those deeply personal encounters, that she developed an enduring respect for the complex needs of aging individuals — a passion that now drives her research and advocacy.
Research Born from Personal and Professional Roots
Smith’s research focus — understanding social connectedness, loneliness, and social isolation among older adults in long-term care facilities — is deeply personal. Growing up in rural Virginia, she was raised by her grandparents and great-grandparents while her parents worked and served the country. Though periods of loneliness marked her early years, they also built an unbreakable bond with older adults, a bond that would shape her entire professional life.
“My research journey started long before I entered academia,” Smith explained. “Witnessing firsthand how emotional disconnection impacts quality of life made me passionate about creating solutions.”
Today, Smith uses nationally representative data to identify predictors of loneliness and social isolation among older adults in long-term care. Her goal is to generate evidence-based insights that inform interventions, promote holistic care models, and enhance both the emotional well-being and overall health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Mentorship That Transforms
Smith credits much of her academic and professional growth during the PhD program to her close mentorship under Dr. Laurie Theeke, associate dean of the PhD in Nursing program at GW Nursing.
“Dr. Theeke is a brilliant nurse scientist and an extraordinary mentor whose influence has profoundly shaped my journey,” Smith said. “She has nurtured my passion for scientific inquiry, scholarly writing, and teaching.”
Under Dr. Theeke’s mentorship, Smith has been able to realize her research vision and broaden her capabilities as a developing nurse scientist. She speaks highly of Dr. Theeke’s commitment to academic excellence, her transformative leadership in elevating the PhD program’s rigor and relevance, and her unwavering support for students both inside and outside the classroom.
“Working with Dr. Theeke has been life-changing,” Smith said. “Her guidance is an invaluable cornerstone of my PhD journey.”
Passion for Health Equity
At the heart of Smith’s work is an unshakeable commitment to advancing health equity in clinical trial research and promoting holistic patient outcomes.
“I believe equitable access to high-quality care and inclusive research practices are essential to improving health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems,” she said.
Smith is driven by the belief that physical, emotional, and social dimensions of care must be fully integrated, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations. This belief shapes both her research in aging and her work within the pharmaceutical industry, where she continues to advocate for patient-centered innovation.
Balancing Professional Success and Academic Achievement
Smith’s PhD journey has already been marked by notable successes. She has presented her research at major nursing congresses through poster and podium presentations and has several publications currently in progress. As part of her PhD teaching practicum, she developed and delivered an educational module on loneliness and social isolation among older adults for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner III course — a contribution that speaks to her commitment to education and mentorship.
At the same time, Smith has continued to excel professionally, securing senior roles in Pharmaceutical Clinical Science. Applying the scientific rigor and methodological training gained from her PhD studies, she now works to advance drug development efforts in oncology and rare diseases, specifically within Cell Therapy, Hematology, Solid Tumors, and Multiple Myeloma.
Collaborating with leading medical experts and internationally recognized key opinion leaders, Smith bridges the gap between academic research and clinical innovation, ensuring that the latest science translates into meaningful improvements in patient care.
While balancing high-level professional responsibilities with demanding doctoral studies is no easy feat, Smith views the dual roles as mutually reinforcing.
“These experiences have strengthened my ability to integrate research with real-world practice,” she said. “They have reinforced my commitment to evidence-informed decision-making in clinical development.”
Looking Ahead
As Smith moves toward her anticipated 2027 graduation, she remains firmly focused on her mission: to transform healthcare for aging populations, promote emotional well-being, and ensure that equity remains at the center of scientific inquiry and patient care. To that end, she will deliver a poster presentation at the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) 2025 conference titled, "Examining Loneliness in Nursing Home Residents: A Gender-Stratified Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Factors Using HRS Wave 15 (2020)."
With her unique blend of clinical expertise, leadership experience, and a lifelong dedication to vulnerable communities, LaTonya Smith is poised to make a lasting impact on nursing science and the broader healthcare landscape.
“At the end of the day,” Smith said, “it’s about making sure every patient feels seen, heard, and cared for — not just in their physical health, but in every dimension of their humanity.”