Tess Simpson, PhD
Associate Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Graduate Schools
- MS, New York University (2007)
- PhD, University of Denver (2013)
- BS, Colorado State University (2005)
Internship
- University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Child Psychology Program (2013)
Fellowships
- University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Child Psychology Program, Pediatric Hematology / Oncology (2014)
Languages
EnglishDepartment
Physical Medicine & RehabilitationProfessional Titles
- Associate Professor
Research Interests
My research centers on promoting positive child, adolescent, and family adjustment for patients with rehabilitation health needs. My current research is focused on evaluating neurocognitive functioning and psychosocial adjustment in pediatric spina bifida.Publications
- Petranovich CL, Koerber S, Sarmiento C, Graber S, Dichiaro M, Wilson P, Miele A, Peterson RL, Simpson T, Connery AK, Kirkwood MW, Apkon S. Emotional well-being in transition-age adults with pediatric-onset disabilities: A cross-sectional study. Rehabil Psychol. 2025 Jan 13. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39804397
- Petranovich CL, Person-Jones K, Koerber S, Lantagne A, Graber S, Sarmiento CA, Peterson RL, Simpson T, Wilson P, Miele A, Apkon S, Dichiaro M, Connery AK, Kirkwood MW. Health Care, Educational, and Vocational Transitions in Young Adults With Pediatric-Onset Disabilities: Associations With Social Determinants of Health. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39710332
- Scott SR, Peterson RL, North SJ, Merrick JS, Petranovich CL, Wilson PE, Lantagne A, Simpson TS. Having more resilience factors only gets you so far in the context of neighborhood disadvantage: understanding differential predictors of internalizing symptoms and body mass index in youth with spina bifida. J Pediatr Psychol. 2024 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39657001
- Simpson T, Scott S, Ketzer J, Matkins K, Schneider L, De La Torre L, Bischoff A, Melkonian V, Judd-Glossy L. Predictors of medical adherence following a bowel management program for youth and young adults with Spina Bifida. Pediatr Surg Int. 2024 Jul 15;40(1):188. PubMed PMID: 39008134
- Rosenthal SL, Simpson TS, Kirkwood M, Peterson RL. Quality of Life in Youth Soccer Players After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Athl Train. 2024 Feb 1;59(2):130-136. PubMed PMID: 37459368
- Simpson TS, Leopold DR, Wilson PE, Peterson RL. Cognitive disengagement syndrome in pediatric spina bifida. Child Neuropsychol. 2024 Feb;30(1):87-104. PubMed PMID: 36803439
- Simpson T, Scott S, Ketzer J, Matkins K, Schneider L, De La Torre L, Bischoff A, Melkonian V, Judd-Glossy L. Predictors of medical adherence following a bowel management program for youth and young adults with Spina Bifida. Pediatric Surgery International. 2024 Jul 15;40(1):188. doi: 10.1007/s00383-024-05768-z. PMID: 39008134.
- Simpson TS, Leopold DR, Wilson PE, Peterson RL. Cognitive disengagement syndrome in pediatric spina bifida. Child Neuropsychology. 2023 Feb;30(1):87-104. PubMed PMID: 36803439
- Rosenthal SL, Simpson TS, Kirkwood MW, Peterson RL. Quality of Life of Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth Soccer Players Title Page. J Athl Train. 2023 Jul 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37459368
- Simpson TS, Grande LA, Kenny JJ, Wilson PE, Peterson RL. Child, Parent, and Family Adjustment for Patients Followed in a Multidisciplinary Spina Bifida Clinic. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2022 Summer;28(3):41-58. PubMed PMID: 36017123
- Simpson TS, Peterson RL, Patrick KE, Forster JE, McNally KA. Concussion Symptom Treatment and Education Program: A Feasibility Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2020 Jul 22. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32769833
- Simpson, T.S., Kenny, J.J., Wilson, P.E., Clayton, G.H., & Peterson, R.L. (2019). Parent Stress for Patients Followed in a Multidisciplinary Spinal Defects Clinic. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 8(4), 326-337.
- Simpson, T.S., Peterson, R.L, Mason, D.S., Connery, A.K., Baker, D.A., & Kirkwood, M.W. (2017). Quality of Life for Youth with Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms Following Mild TBI. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 5(3), 248-257.
- Cook, M. N., Crisostomo, P. S., Simpson, T., Williams, J., & Wamboldt, M. (2014). Effectiveness of an Intensive Outpatient Psychiatric Program for Youth with Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Initial Findings. Community Mental Health Journal, 50, 164-171.
Practice Locations
Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
- Children's Hospital Colorado
Specialty Information
Specialties- Psychology
- Spinal Deformity
- Brain and Nervous System - Concussion
- Brain and Nervous System
- Brain and Nervous System - Neuromuscular Diseases
- Brain and Nervous System - Spina Bifida
- Brain and Nervous System - Spinal Cord Injuries
- Brain and Nervous System - Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- Brain and Nervous System - Transverse Myelitis
- Brain and Nervous System - Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injuries
Clinical Interests
My many clinical interests include behavioral health intervention for youth struggling with adjustment challenges related to acute injury or chronic illness. As the Co-Director of the Spina Bifida and Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, I work primarily with youth with spina bifida and spinal cord injury.
My many clinical interests include behavioral health intervention for youth struggling with adjustment challenges related to acute injury or chronic illness. As the Co-Director of the Spina Bifida and Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, I work primarily with youth with spina bifida and spinal cord injury.
Public Speaking
Yes
Yes