Darcy Thompson, MD, MPH/MSPH

Professional Titles

• Clinical Research Director, Colorado Child Health Research Institute (CHCO/CU)
• Core Mentor, the Surgical/subspecialists Clinical Outcomes Research (SCORE) Fellowship at the Adult & Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research & Delivery Science (ACCORDS)
• Member, Executive Committee of the University of Colorado Nutrition T32 (PI Krebs)

Research Interests

Dr. Thompson is a board-certified pediatrician and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She also serves as Clinical Research Director for the Child Health Research Enterprise at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Thompson’s research seeks to address inequities in health among marginalized populations. In an effort to inform the development of contextually and culturally-tailored interventions to promote healthy growth and development in early childhood, her work focuses on understanding social ecological contributors to early childhood lifestyle behaviors and their relationship with child growth. Current work focuses on screen media use and sleep in the toddler age group. She also conducts health services research focused on optimizing the care of families who speak a language other than English. Current and past studies were funded by the National Institutes of Health (NICHD, NINR, NHLBI) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She is experienced in mixed methods and community-based participatory research approaches. Mentoring: During my career, I have mentored junior faculty, fellows, residents, graduate students, medical students, and undergraduate students. I am a faculty mentor on the Nutrition T32 program. Websites: Colorado profiles: https://profiles.ucdenver.edu/display/227863 Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/darcy.thompson.1/bibliography/public/

Publications

• Thompson DA, Joshi A, Hernandez RG, Jennings JM, Arora M, Ellen JM. Interactive nutrition education via a touchscreen: is this technology well received by low-income Spanish-speaking parents?. Technol Health Care. 2012;20(3):195-203. PubMed PMID: 22735734
• Lion KC, Thompson DA, Cowden JD, Michel E, Rafton SA, Hamdy RF, Killough EF, Fernandez J, Ebel BE. Impact of language proficiency testing on provider use of Spanish for clinical care. Pediatrics. 2012 Jul;130(1):e80-7. PubMed PMID: 22689864
• Thompson DA, Joshi A, Hernandez RG, Bair-Merritt MH, Arora M, Luna R, Ellen JM. Nutrition education via a touchscreen: a randomized controlled trial in Latino immigrant parents of infants and toddlers. Acad Pediatr. 2012 Sep-Oct;12(5):412-9. PubMed PMID: 22682718
• Cowden JD, Thompson DA, Ellzey J, Artman M. Getting past getting by: training culturally and linguistically competent bilingual physicians. J Pediatr. 2012 Jun;160(6):891-892.e1. PubMed PMID: 22624935
• Hernandez RG, Thompson DA, Cheng TL, Serwint JR. Early-childhood obesity: how do low-income parents of preschoolers rank known risk factors?. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2012 Jul;51(7):663-70. PubMed PMID: 22496175
• Thompson DA, Hernandez RG, Cowden JD, Sisson SD, Moon M. Caring for patients with limited English proficiency: are residents prepared to use medical interpreters?. Acad Med. 2013 Oct;88(10):1485-92. PubMed PMID: 23969358
• Lion KC, Thompson DA, Cowden JD, Michel E, Rafton SA, Hamdy RF, Killough EF, Fernandez J, Ebel BE. Clinical Spanish use and language proficiency testing among pediatric residents. Acad Med. 2013 Oct;88(10):1478-84. PubMed PMID: 23969350
• O'Connor TM, Hingle M, Chuang RJ, Gorely T, Hinkley T, Jago R, Lanigan J, Pearson N, Thompson DA. Conceptual understanding of screen media parenting: report of a working group. Child Obes. 2013 Aug;9 Suppl:S110-8. PubMed PMID: 23944919
• Okelo SO, Eakin MN, Patino CM, Teodoro AP, Bilderback AL, Thompson DA, Loiaza-Martinez A, Rand CS, Thyne S, Diette GB, Riekert KA. The Pediatric Asthma Control and Communication Instrument asthma questionnaire: for use in diverse children of all ages. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jul;132(1):55-62. PubMed PMID: 23434285
• Thompson DA, Matson PA, Ellen JM. Television viewing in low-income latino children: variation by ethnic subgroup and English proficiency. Child Obes. 2013 Feb;9(1):22-8. PubMed PMID: 23301653
• Thompson DA, Vandewater EA, Matson PA, Tschann JM. Young low-income ethnic minority children watch less television when their mothers regulate what they are viewing. Acta Paediatr. 2014 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25424888
• Thompson DA, Pachter LM, Keller D. Efforts to diversify the academic pediatric workforce. JAMA Pediatr. 2014 Apr;168(4):390-1. PubMed PMID: 24710589
• Thompson DA, Hernandez RG, Cowden JD. In reply to Drain and Rhatigan. Acad Med. 2014 Apr;89(4):531. PubMed PMID: 24667470
• Okelo SO, Eakin MN, Riekert KA, Teodoro AP, Bilderback AL, Thompson DA, Loiaza-Martinez A, Rand CS, Thyne S, Diette GB, Patino CM. Validation of parental reports of asthma trajectory, burden, and risk by using the pediatric asthma control and communication instrument. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2014 Mar-Apr;2(2):186-92. PubMed PMID: 24607047
• Hernandez RG, Cowden JD, Moon M, Brands CK, Sisson SD, Thompson DA. Predictors of resident satisfaction in caring for limited English proficient families: a multisite study. Acad Pediatr. 2014 Mar-Apr;14(2):173-80. PubMed PMID: 24602581
• Thompson DA, Polk S, Cheah CLC, Vandewater EA, Johnson SL, Chrismer MC, Tschann JM. Maternal beliefs and parenting practices regarding their preschool child’s TV viewing: An exploration in a sample of low-income Mexican-origin mothers. Clinical Pediatrics. In Press
• Brown NA, Smith KC, Thornton RL, Bowie JV, Surkan PJ, Thompson DA, Levine DM. Gathering perspectives on extended family influence on African American children's physical activity. J Health Dispar Res Pract. 2015 Winter;8(1):10-24. PubMed PMID: 26295012
• Thompson DA, Polk S, Cheah CS, Vandewater EA, Johnson SL, Chrismer MC, Tschann JM. Maternal Beliefs and Parenting Practices Regarding Their Preschool Child's Television Viewing: An Exploration in a Sample of Low-Income Mexican-Origin Mothers. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2015 Aug;54(9):862-70. PubMed PMID: 25724994
• Hernandez RG, Garcia J, Thompson DA. Racial-Ethnic Differences in Parental Body Image Perceptions of Preschoolers: Implications for Engaging Minority Parents in Weight-Related Discussions. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2015 Nov;54(13):1293-6. PubMed PMID: 25609097
• Zhou N, Cheah CS, Van Hook J, Thompson DA, Jones SS. A cultural understanding of Chinese immigrant mothers' feeding practices. A qualitative study. Appetite. 2015 Apr;87:160-7. PubMed PMID: 25555536
• Thompson DA, Vandewater EA, Matson PA, Tschann JM. Young low-income ethnic minority children watch less television when their mothers regulate what they are viewing. Acta Paediatr. 2015 Mar;104(3):300-5. PubMed PMID: 25424888
• Luna RE, Polk S, Thompson DA. Understanding the Use of Whole Milk and Flavored Powders in Children of Low-Income, Immigrant Latina Mothers: A Descriptive Study. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2016 Aug 8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27507808
• Thompson DA, Johnson SL, Vandewater EA, Schmiege SJ, Boles RE, Lev J, Tschann JM. Parenting and Preschooler TV Viewing in Low-Income Mexican Americans: Development of the Parenting Practices Regarding TV Viewing (PPRTV) Scale. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2016 Jul-Aug;37(6):465-74. PubMed PMID: 27355878
• Thompson DA, Tschann JM. Factors Contributing to Background Television Exposure in Low-Income Mexican-American Preschoolers. Matern Child Health J. 2016 Sep;20(9):1835-41. PubMed PMID: 27007983
• DeCamp LR, Gregory E, Polk S, Chrismer MC, Giusti F, Thompson DA, Sibinga E. A Voice and a Vote: The Advisory Board Experiences of Spanish-Speaking Latina Mothers. Hisp Health Care Int. 2015;13(4):217-26. PubMed PMID: 26671562
• DeCamp LR, Polk S, Chrismer MC, Giusti F, Thompson DA, Sibinga E. Health Care Engagement of Limited English Proficient Latino Families: Lessons Learned from Advisory Board Development. Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2015 Winter;9(4):521-30. PubMed PMID: 26639378
• Thompson DA. Expert review of article In Cabana MD ed. Year Book of Pediatrics, Elsevier, 2016
• Bellows, L., Johnson, S.L., Davies, P., Gavin, W., Chamberlin, B., Boles, R., Thompson, D., Gleason, J. The HEROs Study: Bridging Home and Preschool Environments to promote Healthy Eating and Activity Behaviors to Prevent Obesity in Early Childhood. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 48(7), S112-113
• McCloskey M, Johnson SL, Benz C, Thompson DA, Chamberlin B, Clark L, Bellows LL. Parent Perceptions of Mobile Device Use Among Preschool-Aged Children in Rural Head Start Centers. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2017 Oct 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29031581
• Puma JE, Thompson D, Baer K, Haemer MA, Gilbert K, Hambidge M, Krebs NF. Enhancing Periconceptional Health by Targeting Postpartum Mothers at Rural WIC Clinics. Health Promot Pract. 2017 Apr 1;:1524839917699553. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28438036
• Luna RE, Polk S, Thompson DA. Understanding the Use of Whole Milk and Flavored Powders in Children of Low-Income, Immigrant Latina Mothers: A Descriptive Study. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2017 May;56(5):480-484. PubMed PMID: 27507808
• Thompson DA, Federspiel D. The Familias Saludables Partnership: Engaging the Latino community to address early childhood obesity. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness. In press
• Andersen LM, Boles RE, Kaar JL, Gance-Cleveland B, Gauthier KI, Cason-Wilkerson R, Federspiel D, Valenzuela M, Thompson DA. Use of the Delphi Technique to Obtain Community Input on Leading Contributors to Early Childhood Obesity in Latino Communities. Hisp Health Care Int. 2018 Sep 12;:1540415318798839. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30207164
• Thompson DA, Schmiege SJ, Johnson SL, Vandewater EA, Boles RE, Zambrana RE, Lev J, Tschann JM. Screen-Related Parenting Practices in Low-Income Mexican American Families. Acad Pediatr. 2018 Sep - Oct;18(7):820-827. PubMed PMID: 29777781
• Bellows LL, McCloskey M, Clark L, Thompson DA, Bekelman TA, Chamberlin B, Johnson SL. HEROs: Design of a Mixed-Methods Formative Research Phase for an Ecocultural Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating and Activity Behaviors in Rural Families With Preschoolers. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2018 Jul - Aug;50(7):736-745. PubMed PMID: 29653807
• Thompson DA, Federspiel DA. The Familias Saludables partnership: Engaging the Latino community to address early childhood obesity. J Comp Eff Res. 2018 Feb;7(2):85-88. PubMed PMID: 29464967
• Bekelman TA, Bellows LL, Clark L, Thompson DA, Kemper G, McCloskey ML, Johnson SL. An Ecocultural Perspective on Eating-Related Routines Among Low-Income Families With Preschool-Aged Children. Qual Health Res. 2018 Nov 30;:1049732318814540. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30499371
• Thompson DA, Johnson SL, Schmiege SJ, Vandewater EA, Boles RE, Lev J, Tschann JM. Beliefs About Child TV Viewing in Low-Income Mexican American Parents of Preschoolers: Development of the Beliefs About Child TV Viewing Scale (B-TV). Matern Child Health J. 2018 Jun;22(6):849-857. PubMed PMID: 29423583
• McCloskey M, Johnson SL, Benz C, Thompson DA, Chamberlin B, Clark L, Bellows LL. Parent Perceptions of Mobile Device Use Among Preschool-Aged Children in Rural Head Start Centers. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2018 Jan;50(1):83-89.e1. PubMed PMID: 29031581
• Puma JE, Thompson D, Baer K, Haemer MA, Gilbert K, Hambidge M, Krebs NF. Enhancing Periconceptional Health by Targeting Postpartum Mothers at Rural WIC Clinics. Health Promot Pract. 2018 May;19(3):390-399. PubMed PMID: 28438036
• Bekelman TA, Bellows LL, Clark L, Thompson DA, Kemper G, McCloskey ML, Johnson SL. An Ecocultural Perspective on Eating-Related Routines Among Low-Income Families With Preschool-Aged Children. Qual Health Res. 2019 Jul;29(9):1345-1357. PubMed PMID: 30499371
• Browne D, Thompson DA, Madigan S. Digital Media Use in Children: Clinical vs Scientific Responsibilities. JAMA Pediatr. 2019 Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31790548
• Browne DT, May S, Hurst-Della Pietra P, Christakis D, Asamoah T, Hale L, Delrahim-Howlett K, Emond JA, Fiks AG, Madigan S, Prime H, Perlman G, Rumpf HJ, Thompson D, Uzzo S, Stapleton J, Neville R. From 'screen time' to the digital level of analysis: protocol for a scoping review of digital media use in children and adolescents. BMJ Open. 2019 Nov 25;9(11):e032184. PubMed PMID: 31772098
• Kaar JL, Hanson JL, Caskey SA, Jimenez S, Lane L, Krebs NF, Thompson DA. Beyond Nutrition Knowledge and Tools—What Do Pediatric Providers Really Need? Medical Science Educator. 2019;29(1):307-14. doi: 10.1007/s40670-018-00644-7.
• Thompson DA, Andersen L. Identification and care of excessive weight gain in the first 2 years of life: Primary care providers’ perspectives. Abstract poster presentation at the 2019 PAS Conference, April 28, 2019.
• Thompson DA, Tschann JM. Update on Screen-Related Parenting Practices in Early Childhood. Acad Pediatr. 2020 Nov - Dec;20(8):1066-1068. PubMed PMID: 32653689
• Andersen LM, Thompson DA. Managing Excessive Weight Gain in Children <2 Years of Age: Interviews with Primary Care Providers. Child Obes. 2020 Jul;16(5):332-339. PubMed PMID: 32460526
• Browne D, Thompson DA, Madigan S. Digital Media Use in Children: Clinical vs Scientific Responsibilities. JAMA Pediatr. 2020 Feb 1;174(2):111-112. PubMed PMID: 31790548
• Browne DT, May SS, Colucci L, Hurst-Della Pietra P, Christakis D, Asamoah T, Hale L, Delrahim-Howlett K, Emond JA, Fiks AG, Madigan S, Perlman G, Rumpf HJ, Thompson D, Uzzo S, Stapleton J, Neville R, Prime H. From screen time to the digital level of analysis: a scoping review of measures for digital media use in children and adolescents. BMJ Open. 2021 May 19;11(5):e046367. PubMed PMID: 34011597
• Thompson DA, Bekelman TA, Ferrante MJ, McCloskey ML, Johnson SL, Bellows LL. Picture Perfect: How Attaining the Ideal Meal is Not So Easy for Parents of Young Children. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Apr;53(4):290-298. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.01.008. Epub 2021 Feb 6. PubMed PMID: 33558158.
• Cason-Wilkerson R, Thompson DA, Mitchell N. Weight Change for Pediatric Completers in a National Weight Loss Program. Global Pediatric Health. In Press
• Hernandez RG, Tanaka K, McPeak KE, Thompson DA. Resident Training Experiences Providing Spanish Language Concordant Care (SLCC): Implications for Growing Health Equity Efforts within Graduate Medical Education. Clin Peds. In Press
• Thompson DA, Tschann JM, Jimenez-Zambrano AM, Martinez SM, Reyes GA, Solis GA, Clark L. Screen-related discord and dismay in low-income Mexican American families with toddlers: A qualitative study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2022 Nov 14. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36396565
• Hernandez RG, Thompson DA, Cowden JD. Responding to a call to action for health equity curriculum development in pediatric graduate medical education: Design, implementation and early results of Leaders in Health Equity (LHE). Front Pediatr. 2022;10:951353. PubMed PMID: 36389391
• Hernandez RG, Tanaka K, McPeak K, Thompson DA. Resident Training Experiences Providing Spanish-Language Concordant Care: Implications for Growing Health Equity Efforts Within Graduate Medical Education. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2022 May;61(4):352-361. PubMed PMID: 35152769
• DeCamp LR, Williams L, Palmer C, Gorman C, Olson C, Thompson DA. Mixed methods evaluation of pediatric telehealth equity for patients/families who communicate in languages other than English. Mhealth. 2023;9:24. PubMed PMID: 37492119
• Thompson DA, Haemer MA, Krebs NF, Pereira RI, Moss A, Furniss AL, Bonczynski J, Nicklas JM. A WIC-Based Behavior Change Intervention for Postpartum Women With Overweight and Obesity: A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Trial. Health Promot Pract. 2023 May 25;:15248399231173704. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37226873
• Thompson DA, Jimenez-Zambrano AM, Ringwood H, Tschann JM, Clark L. Parenting a Toddler in the Era of Pervasive Screens: Interviews with Low-Income Mexican American Parents. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Apr 11;20(8). PubMed PMID: 37107743
• Armstrong J, Lakin A, Blumberg-Romero L, Campbell T, Heldens J, Lieu C, Neiman J, Sandene E, Steinbeiss M, Thompson D, Tregellas J, Flaig T, Higgins J. Clinical research reactivation during the COVID-19 pandemic: An academic center process and lessons for the future. J Transl Sci. 2022 Feb;8(1). PubMed PMID: 37122588
• Thompson DA, Tschann JM, Jimenez-Zambrano AM, Martinez SM, Reyes GA, Solis GA, Clark L. Screen-related discord and dismay in low-income Mexican American families with toddlers: A qualitative study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2023 Jan-Feb;68:60-67. PubMed PMID: 36396565
• Lisa Meltzer, Suzanna Martinez, Jeanne Tschann, Caroline Tietbohl, Andrea Jimenez-Zambrano, Julia Reedy, Estefania Miramontes Valdes, Darcy Thompson, 0754 Sleep Ecology in Low-Income Mexican American Toddlers, Sleep, Volume 46, Issue Supplement_1, May 2023, Pages A332–A333,
• Cason-Wilkerson R, Sherrill A, Simon SL, Thompson DA, Kaar JL. Perceptions of sleep health among African American mothers regarding their preschool-aged children: A qualitative study to decrease sleep health disparities. Sleep Health. 2024 Oct;10(5):527-532. PubMed PMID: 38955582
• Sanders JS, Williams K, Thompson D, Shapiro HF. Enhancing comfort of resident physicians treating adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by facilitating meaningful interactions. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1264958. PubMed PMID: 38835795
• Sarmiento CA, Furniss A, Morris MA, Stransky ML, Thompson DA. Disparities in Smoking and Heavy Drinking Behaviors by Disability Status and Age of Disability Onset: Secondary Analysis of National Health Interview Survey Data. Public Health Rep. 2024 Nov-Dec;139(6):724-733. PubMed PMID: 38780024
• Thompson DA, Fineman MS, Miramontes Valdes E, Tschann JM, Meltzer LJ. Forward and Back is Not Enough: Applying Best Practices for Translation of Pediatric Sleep Questionnaires. Front Sleep. 2024;2. PubMed PMID: 38585369
• Thompson DA, Haemer MA, Krebs NF, Pereira RI, Moss A, Furniss AL, Bonczynski J, Nicklas JM. A WIC-Based Behavior Change Intervention for Postpartum Women With Overweight and Obesity: A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Trial. Health Promot Pract. 2024 Jul;25(4):677-688. PubMed PMID: 37226873
• Sarmiento CA, Furniss A, Morris MA, Stransky ML, Thompson DA. Frequency of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Adults with Childhood-versus Adult-Onset Disability: Results from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey. PM&R: The journal of injury, function and rehabilitation. In Press

Professional Memberships

• American Pediatric Association (APA), Member

Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234

Hospital Affiliation

• Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Pediatrics, Board Certification