Together with his wife, Millie, Hale did much philanthropic work in his local black community in Nashville, Tennessee.

Together, they distributed food to the poor, offered much of their medical care for free, ran free medical classes and lectures, and converted their home into a local community center — a hosting place for many local community organizations.

[3] Hale gradually became a "self-taught" surgeon who would take on most surgeries — a universalism occasionally practiced at that era.

[1][4] For his "outstanding contribution to the Negro medical profession," Hale was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

The ceremony was performed by Ulysses G. Dailey, the first black surgeon recognized by the United States medical profession.

[6] He and his wife did not charge indigent patients at Millie E. Hale Hospital, performing medical procedures for free and paying for medicines out of their own pocket.

[13][17] Hales distributed free food and provided home care to the poorest people in their community.

[18][19] She married Samuel Henry Freeman (1898–1949), Hale's student and later the first black doctor to receive master's degree in Orthopedics.

The couple then lived at 623 Seventh Avenue South, as Hale's first home remained a community center.

[4] In his later years, Hale developed cardiovascular disease; however, he continued to operate, even exhibiting severe symptoms.

[8] He died on March 27, 1944, of coronary insufficiency at Hubbard Hospital, and was buried at in Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville.

[1][4] Hale is credited for significant and extensive contributions to the development of African-American medicine, teaching many young physicians who "beloved and admired" him.

Dr. Edward L. Turner, the president of Meharry Medical College in 1944, believed that Hale "had more influence than any other man in the encouragement and development of Negro surgeons.