Elena Geiger-Simpson DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN, RN, PHN

Dr. Geiger-Simpson is a Clinical Associate Professor and accomplished Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the School of Nursing, specializing in child and adolescent mental health care. She holds a clinical practice at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) and is recognized for her person-centered, evidence-based, holistic approach to patient care. Her expertise spans psychiatric mental health nursing, interprofessional collaboration, and academic instruction. Dr. Geiger-Simpson's ability to seamlessly integrate clinical experience with teaching has made her a sought-after educator, known for creating engaging learning environments that foster critical thinking and lifetime learning.

Dr. Geiger-Simpson is actively involved in interprofessional practice in both the classroom and clinical settings. Her research focuses on youth coping and resilience. She contributes to the field through national presentations, research collaborations, and leadership as the president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association from 2022-2024. Her commitment to bridging theory and practice is evident in her mentorship of students, engagement in research, and dissemination of findings through publications and presentations. Dr. Geiger-Simpson's exceptional skills and dedication have been recognized with multiple awards, including two DAISY Awards for extraordinary nurses.

Clinics: The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB); Board Certifications: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

DNP, University of Minnesota
Major: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

BA, Luther College
Major: Nursing

BA, Luther College
Major: Spanish

• Certificate in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices, University of Minnesota
• Certified Nurse Practitioner, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Public Health Nurse Certificate, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Registered Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing

• Daisy Award for Scholarship in Practice, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2024
• Daisy Award for Exceptional Mentorship, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2021
• Education/Teaching Pedagogy Poster Award First Place, International Society of Psychiatric Nurses, 2019

• American Holistic Nursing Association
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association
• American Public Health Association
• Neuroscience Education Institute
• Sigma Theta Tau

Lounsbery, J. L., Floren, L. C., Geiger-Simpson, E., Peterson, B., & Pittenger, A. L. (2025). The Tool to Observe the Construction of Knowledge in Interprofessional teams (TOCK-IP) an example with nursing and pharmacy learners. Journal of Interprofessional Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2025.2515458 

Austin, R. R., Lu, S. C., Jantraporn, R., Park, S., Geiger-Simpson, E., Koithan, M., Kreitzer, M., & Delaney, C. W. (2023). Documentation of complementary and integrative health therapies in the electronic health record: A scoping review. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 29(8), 483–491. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2022.0748 

Looman, W. S., Geiger-Simpson, E., Eull, D. J., Lee, J., Nersesian, P. V., Bell, A. N., & Miller, A. L. (2023). Beyond coping: The role of supportive relationships and meaning making in youth well-being. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(6), 1189-1203. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12901 

Looman, W. S., Eull, D., Geiger-Simpson, E., Lee, J., Nersesian, P. V., Bell, A. N., & Miller, A. L. (2023). Assessment of youth coping and appraisals through a timelining activity: Validation and utility of a tool for pediatric research and practice. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 37(5), 465-477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.02.007 

Austin, R., Lu, S.C., Jantraporn, R., Park, S., Geiger-Simpson, E., Monsen, K. (2023). An empirical analysis of complementary and integrative health therapy documentation in the electronic health record. Journal of Informatics Nursing, 8(1), 13-18.

Rajamani, S., Austin, R., Geiger-Simpson, E., Jantraporn, R., Park, S., & Monsen, K. A. (2022). Understanding whole-person health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A cross-sectional and descriptive correlation study. JMIR Nursing, 5(1), e38063. https://doi.org/10.2196/38063 

Austin, R. R., Lu, S. C., Geiger-Simpson, E., Ringdahl, D., Pruinelli, L., Lindquist, R., Koithan, M., Monsen, K. A., Kreitzer, M. J., & Delaney, C. W. (2021). Evaluating systemized nomenclature of medicine clinical terms coverage of complementary and integrative health therapy approaches used within integrative nursing, health, and medicine. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 39(12), 1000-1006. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000764 

Looman, W., Geiger-Simpson, E., Al-Shakhshir, N., Eull, D., Lee, J. "Feasibility of a Dyadic Intervention to Support Family and Peer Conversations About Youth Resilience," 17th International Family Nursing Conference, Perth, Australia. (June 2025).

Peterson, B., Geiger-Simpson, E., Hopfenspirger, E. "Ten Years and Going Strong: Interprofessional Education in Psychiatric Mental Health Graduate Education," International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA. (March 2025).

Looman, W., Geiger-Simpson, E., Lee, J., Eull, D. "Timelining: A Participatory Arts-Based Activity for Mixed Methods Research on Youth Resilience," Mixed Methods International Research Association Biennial Global Conference, Montego Bay, Jamaica. (June 2024).

Looman, W., Geiger-Simpson, E., Eull, D., & Lee, J. "An Innovative Approach to Community-Based Family Nursing Research: Leveraging the D2D Research Mechanism at State and County Fairs," Midwest Nursing Research Society Family Health RIIG Symposium, Minneapolis, MN. (March 2024).

Geiger-Simpson, E. "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing," Minnesota Student Nurses Association National Convention, Mankato, MN. (February 2024). Invited.

Geiger-Simpson, E., Peterson, B., James, E. "Strategies to Advance Health Equity and Inclusion: Charting a New Course in PMHNP Didactic Education," American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL. (October 2023).

Looman, W., Geiger-Simpson, E., Bell, A., Eull, D., & Nersesian, P. "Youth Appraisals of Wellbeing, Family Relationships and Coping: A Test of the Resilience Portfolio Model and a Timelining Assessment Tool," 16th International Family Nursing Conference, Dublin, Ireland. (June 2023).

Looman, W., Geiger-Simpson, E., Eull, D., & Bell, A. "Resilience Portfolios and Youth Wellbeing: A Mixed Methods Model-Testing Study," Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference, Des Moines, IA. (April 2023).

Geiger-Simpson, E., Matthias-Anderson, D., Manthey, M., Stewart, D. "Nurses in Peril: The Interconnectedness of Substance Use Disorder and Suicide Among Nurses," American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA. (October 2022).