Kristin Elgersma, PhD, DM, MN, RN

Dr. Elgersma's research centers on human milk feeding and breast/chestfeeding for infants with critical congenital heart disease (CHD). Her work has been among the first to implement machine learning techniques and methods for causal inference in CHD nutrition research, and she is currently focused on developing personalizable, human milk/breastfeeding-based interventions that can improve the growth and neurodevelopment of these vulnerable infants. Dr. Elgersma transitioned from an academic career as a pianist into nursing research due to her own experience as a parent of a child born with critical CHD.

PhD, University of Minnesota
Major: Nursing

MN, University of Minnesota

DM, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

MM, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

BA, Dordt University, Sioux Center, IA

Dr. Elgersma has more than 20 years of teaching experience in her previous academic music career. During this time, she developed innovative curricula and established a thriving university/community program partnership to provide practical learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Her mentees have secured competitive internships, graduate school placements, and job opportunities. Dr. Elgersma views teaching as an opportunity to work and learn alongside students as they clarify their career goals, and to co-create individualized, interdisciplinary experiences that will help them be well-prepared to move toward their goals.

McKechnie, A. C., Swanson, N. M., Jantraporn, R., Elgersma, K. M., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Park, S., & Trebilcock, A. (2025). A systematic review and evaluation of mobile health apps designed for parents who are preparing or caring for medically complex infants. mHealth, 11. https://mhealth.amegroups.org/article/view/138632

Elgersma, K. M., Engel, M. L., Ramel, S. E., Davis, J. A., McKechnie, A. C., & Pfister, K. M. (2024). Human milk, breastfeeding, and early neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with critical CHD. Cardiology in the Young, 1–9. doi:10.1017/S1047951124025228

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K. M., Ambrose, M. B., Sanchez Mejia, A. A., Shah, K. M., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Trebilcock, A., & Hallock, C. (2024). Nurse-guided mobile health care program to reduce emotional distress experienced by parents of infants prenatally diagnosed with critical congenital heart disease: A pilot study. Progress in Pediatric Cardiology, 72, 101687. doi: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2023.101687

Lee, J., Helgeson, E., Horning, M. L., Elgersma, K. M., Kubik, M. Y., & Fulkerson, J. A. (2024). Food insecurity and changes in diet quality and body mass index z-scores among elementary school students. Childhood Obesity, 20(7). https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2023.0185

Elgersma, K., McKechnie, A., Sommerness, S., Tanner, L., & Swanson, N. (2023). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical CHD. Cardiology in the Young, 33(10), 2000-2011. doi:10.1017/S1047951122003808

Elgersma, K. M., Wolfson, J., Fulkerson, J. A., Georgieff, M. K., Looman, W. S., Spatz, D. L., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., & McKechnie, A. C. (2023). Human milk feeding and direct breastfeeding improve outcomes for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Propensity score matched analysis of the NPC-QIC registry. Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(17), e030756. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.030756

Elgersma, K. M., Wolfson, J., Fulkerson, J. A., Georgieff, M. K., Looman, W. S., Spatz, D. L., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., & McKechnie, A. C. (2023). Predictors of human milk feeding and direct breastfeeding for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Machine learning analysis of the NPC-QIC registry. The Journal of Pediatrics, 261, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113562

Elgersma, K. M., Spatz, D. L., Fulkerson, J. A., Wolfson, J., Georgieff, M. K., Looman, W. S., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., & McKechnie, A. C. (2023). Patterns of breastfeeding and human milk feeding in infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: A population study of the NPC-QIC registry. Breastfeeding Medicine, 18(4), 315-325. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2023.0036

Nagel, E. M., Elgersma, K. M., Gallagher, T. T., Johnson, K. E., Demerath, E. W., & Gale, C. A. Importance of human milk for infants in the clinical setting: Updates and mechanistic links. Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 38, S39-S55. https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.11037

Elgersma, K. M., Trebilcock, A. L., Whipple, M. O., Tanner, L. R., Pilditch, S. J., Shah, K. M., & McKechnie, A. C. (2023). Risk factors for tube feeding at discharge in infants undergoing neonatal surgery for congenital heart disease: A systematic review. Pediatric Cardiology, 44, 769–794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-022-03049-x

Swanson, N. M., Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., McPherson, P. L., Bergeron, M. J., Sommerness, S. A., Friedrich, C. L., & Spatz, D. L. (2023). Encourage, Assess, Transition (EAT): A quality improvement project implementing a direct breastfeeding protocol for preterm hospitalized infants. Advances in Neonatal Care, 23(2), 107–119. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000001037

Elgersma, K. M., Martin, C. L., Friend, S., Lee, J., Horning, M. L., & Fulkerson, J. A. (2023). Food insecurity and parent feeding practices in urban and rural children aged 7–12 years. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(2), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2022.08.014

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Sommerness, S. A., Tanner, L. R., & Swanson, N. M. (2022). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical CHD. Cardiology in the Young, 33(10), 2000-2011. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1047951122003808 

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Schorr, E. N., Shah, K. M., Trebilcock, A. L., Ramel, S. E., Ambrose, M. B., Swanson, N. M., Sommerness, S. A., & Spatz, D. L. (2022). The impact of human milk on outcomes for infants with congenital heart disease: A systematic review. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(5), 393–411. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.0334

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Gallagher, T., Trebilcock, A. L., Pridham, K. F., & Spatz, D. L. (2021). Feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease: A modified Delphi survey to examine potential research and practice gaps. Cardiology in the Young, 31(4), 577–588. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1047951120004370

National Presentations/Talks

Elgersma, K. M. (2024, November). Feeding study updates [Invited presentation]. Cardiac Newborn Neuroprotective Network Quarterly Meeting, Virtual.

Elgersma, K. M. (2024, October). NPC research projects: Human milk and direct breastfeeding for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease [Invited presentation]. National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Fall Learning Session, St. Louis, MO.

Elgersma, K. M. (2023, July). Recent evidence on human milk and direct breastfeeding for infants with critical congenital heart disease [Invited presentation]. Ambulatory Breastfeeding Consortium Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Virtual.

Regional/Local Presentations/Talks

Elgersma, K. M. (2024, March). Human milk feeding and direct breastfeeding improve outcomes for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Propensity score matched analysis of the NPC-QIC registry [Invited presentation]. Single Ventricle Journal Club, Children's Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Elgersma, K. M. (2023, May). Human milk mechanisms and outcomes for clinical populations [Invited presentation]. Neonatology Scholarly Meeting University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Podium Presentations

Elgersma, K. M., Engel, M. L., Ramel, S. E., Davis, J. A., McKechnie, A. C., & Pfister, K. M. (2024, April). Human milk, breastfeeding, and early neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with critical congenital heart disease [Conference presentation]. Nursing Research Day, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN.

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Sommerness, S. A., Tanner, L. R., & Swanson, N. M. (2022, April). Wayfinding through the "ocean of the great unknown": How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with their infants hospitalized with complex congenital heart disease [Conference presentation]. Nursing Research Day, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN.

Selected Presentations

Elgersma, K. M. "A national collaboration to examine human milk and clinical outcomes for neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD): A CoRe-PCICS study," Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society 18th Annual International Meeting, San Diego, California, United States (November 2024). Invited.

Elgersma, K. M. "Milk matters: Exploring the benefits of human milk and breastfeeding for single ventricle patients; Insights from a national collaborative," 8th Annual International NeoHeart Conference, Neonatal Heart Society, New York City, New York. (July 2024). Invited.

Elgersma, K. M., Wolfson, J., Fulkerson, J. A., Georgieff, M. K., Spatz, D. L., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., McKechnie, A. C. (2023, August). Human milk feeding and direct breastfeeding improve outcomes for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Propensity score matched analysis of the NPC-QIC registry. [Oral presentation]. 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Washington, DC, United States.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K. M., Iwaszko, T., Trebilcock, A. L., Damico, J., Sosa, A., Ambrose, M. B., Shah, K. M., Sanchez Mejia, A. A., Pridham, K. F. (2023, August). An mHealth, patient engagement approach to understand and address parents’ mental health and caregiving needs after prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease. [Poster presentation]. 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Washington, DC, United States.

McKechnie, A. C., Elgersma, K. M., Ambrose, M. B., Sanchez Mejia, A. A., Shah, K. M., Trebilcock, A., Iwaszko Wagner, T., Hallock, C. (2023, May). Nurse-guided mobile health care program to reduce emotional distress experienced by parents of infants prenatally diagnosed with critical congenital heart disease: A pilot study. [Poster presentation] Accelerating Solutions to Improve Maternal Health Workshop (NHLBI sponsored). Bethesda, MD, United States. 

Elgersma, K. M., Wolfson, J., Fulkerson, J. A., Georgieff, M. K., Spatz, D. L., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., McKechnie, A. C. (2023, April). Predictors of human milk feeding and direct breastfeeding for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Machine learning analysis of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry. [Oral presentation]. Pediatric Academic Societies 2023, Washington, DC, United States.  

Elgersma, K. M., Spatz, D. L., Fulkerson, J. A., Wolfson, J., Shah, K. M., Uzark, K., McKechnie, A. C. (2022, December). Early breastfeeding is associated with increased odds of later human milk feeding for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: Analysis of the NPC-QIC registry [Poster presentation]. Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society Annual International Meeting, Miami, FL, United States.  

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Sommerness, S. A., Tanner, L. R., & Swanson, N. M. (2022, October). Wayfinding through the “ocean of the great unknown”: How lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical congenital heart disease [Poster presentation]. International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation 21st Biennial Conference, Panama City, Panama. 

Elgersma, K. M., McKechnie, A. C., Gallagher, T., Trebilcock, A. L., Pridham, K. F., Spatz D. L. (2021, March). Feeding infants with complex congenital heart disease: A Delphi survey to examine potential research and practice gaps [Poster presentation]. Midwest Nursing Research Society 2021 Annual Research Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States (virtual due to COVID-19).

McKechnie, A. C., Erickson, K., Elgersma, K. M., Ambrose, M. B. (2020, March). Meeting the needs of parents in the context of fetal/infant heart disease: Developing and testing a patient engagement approach, and lessons learned [Oral presentation]. GetConnected 2020, Washington, D. C., United States.

Human milk, growth quality, and neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with critical congenital heart disease
Project Investigators: Elgersma, Kristin M. (Principal)
Status: Funded
Sponsoring Organization: Loan Repayment Program (Pediatric Research), NIH/NHLBI
Award Dates: July 2024 - June 2026

Human milk, growth quality, and neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants with critical congenital heart disease
Project Investigators: Blazar, Bruce R. (PI) & Ingbar, David H. (PI)
Role: K12 Scholar 
Sponsoring Organization: NIH/NCATS
Award Dates: February 2024 - January 2027

A national collaboration to examine human milk and clinical outcomes for neonates with critical congenital heart disease
Project Investigators: Elgersma, Kristin M. (Principal), Joy, Brian F. (Co-Investigator), Wolfson, Julian (Co-Investigator)
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Research & Innovation Office (Grant-in-Aid) 
Award Dates: July 2024 - December 2025

Analyzing brain-derived biomarkers of neuroinflammation and brain iron deficiency in infants with critical congenital heart disease
Project Investigators: Elgersma, Kristin M. (Co-Principal), Tran, Phu V. (Co-Principal), Georgieff, Michael K. (Co-Investigator)
Sponsoring Organization: Department of Pediatrics: Boston Scientific Innovators Fund 
Award Dates: July 2024 - January 2025

Brain-derived biomarkers of neuroinflammation and brain iron deficiency in infants with critical congenital heart disease
Project Investigators: Elgersma, Kristin M. (Principal), Tran, Phu V. (Co-Principal), Georgieff, Michael K. (Co-Investigator)
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota School of Nursing Foundation Fund (Blake-Connor Masonic Fund for Nursing Research) 
Award Dates: May 2024 - April 2025
 

Human milk and direct breastfeeding for infants with single ventricle congenital heart disease: An analysis of prevalence, supportive and limiting factors, and impact on key outcomes
Principal Investigator: Elgersma, Kristin M
Sponsoring Organization: NIH National Institute of Nursing Research
Award Dates: 2022–2023

“They told me, ‘We never send babies home that are only breastfed’”: How parents achieve direct breastfeeding with their infants who were hospitalized for congenital heart disease
Principal Investigator: Elgersma, Kristin M
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota School of Nursing Foundation
Award Dates: 2021–2022

Improving inclusivity of content, delivery, and testing of the Preparing Heart and Mind care program designed for families of infants prenatally diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease
Principal Investigator: Blazer, B., McKechnie, AC
Role: Co-Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Office of Discovery and Translation Translational Grant; NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences 
Award Dates: 2021–2022

Extending an eHealth enhanced care approach: Development of nurse-guided patient engagement content to support human milk feeding of infants with complex congenital heart disease
Principal Investigator: Blazer, B., McKechnie, AC
Role: Co-Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Office of Discovery and Translation Translational Grant; NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences 
Award Dates: 2019–2021