Elizabeth Hopfenspirger, DNP, MSN, APRN, CNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC

Dr. Elizabeth Hopfenspirger is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. She is also an accomplished and dual board-certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Hopfenspirger is the Specialty Coordinator of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice (PMHDNP) program where she leads teams of students and faculty in addressing mental health problems and prepares the nursing workforce to meet the increasing mental health needs of the diverse population. Dr. Hopfenspirger has over 20 years of experience in nursing and advanced practice nursing specialties, including psychiatry, family practice and cardiology, and in a variety of interprofessional settings. She holds a clinical practice at a precision medicine clinic in the Minneapolis area.

Dr. Hopfenspirger's clinical areas of expertise include mental health in the primary care setting, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-informed care and pharmacogenomics. More recent interests include the interactions between mind, brain and hormonal function during times of transition (psychoneuroendocrinology), and psychedelic treatment options in mental health care.

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

MSN, Saint Louis University
Major: Family Nurse Practitioner

BSN, University of Minnesota
Major: Nursing

• Certified Nurse Practitioner, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Family Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Registered Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Registered Nurse, Wisconsin Board of Nursing

• Faculty Fellow, University Psychedelic Education Program, 2025

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association
• International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
• Minnesota APRN Coalition
• Minnesota Nurse Practitioners
• National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• University of Minnesota Alumni Association

• "Mental Health, Hormones & Healing: Emerging Care Models for Women in Midlife", The Midlife: Unmasked Podcast with Dr. Robin Austin. (August 2025).
• "Get Psyched! Mental Health Care in Everyday Practice”, Ridgeview Podcast: CME Series. (December 2022).

Geiger-Simpson, E., Hopfenspirger, E., Thompson, A. “Cultivating Partnerships: An Innovative Preceptor Engagement Model in PMHNP Education," National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Annual Conference, Dallas, TX. (April 2026). Invited.

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).

Hopfenspirger, E. "Trauma-Informed Care," Minnesota Nurse Practitioners Annual Conference, Brooklyn Center, MN. (November 2018). Invited.

Hopfenspirger, E. "Beyond the Blues: What You Need to Know About Perinatal Mental Health," Minnesota Nurse Practitioners Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (October 2015). Invited.

Hopfenspirger, E. "Workshop: Developing a Sustainable Social Support Network in Your Community," Postpartum Support International Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (June 2013). Invited Panelist.

Hopfenspirger, E. "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Postpartum Depression and Beyond," American College of Nurse-Midwives Minnesota Affiliate Maternal Outcomes Matter Conference, Minneapolis, MN. (October 2012). Invited.