Holly O'Donnell, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Barbara Davis Center

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Graduate Schools :
  • PhD, University of Colorado Denver (2020)
  • MA, University of Colorado Denver (2016)
Undergraduate School:
  • BA, Middlebury College (VT) (2012)
Internship:
  • Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School Program (2020)
Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado, Psychology (2022)
Department: Pediatrics-Barbara Davis Center

Research Interests

My research interests include 1) psychological impact of screening for pre-clinical type 1 diabetes; 2) psychological aspects of living with type 1 diabetes (e.g., fear of hypoglycemia, diabetes burnout); and 3) efficient identification of psychological barriers within the T1D clinical setting.

Publications

  • O'Donnell HK, Rasmussen CG, Dong F, Simmons KM, Steck AK, Frohnert BI, Bautista K, Rewers MJ, Baxter J. Anxiety and Risk Perception in Parents of Children Identified by Population Screening as High Risk for Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2023 Sep 6. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37673098
  • O'Donnell HK, Trojanowski PJ, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Snell-Bergeon J, Wadwa RP, Vigers T, Pyle L, Gurka MJ, Shaffer E, Driscoll KA. A randomized controlled clinical trial to improve health outcomes in youth with type 1 diabetes: Study design and baseline characteristics. Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Aug;131:107270. PubMed PMID: 37348599
  • Simmons KMW, Frohnert BI, O'Donnell HK, Steck AK, Bautista K, Geno CR, Gonzalez AG, & Rewers MJ. Historical insights and current perspectives on the diagnosis and management of pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023 Sep 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37695674
  • Driscoll KA, Hilliard ME, O'Donnell HK, Gallagher KA, Kichler JC, Naranjo D, Monaghan M, & Westen SC. Type 1 Diabetes Mental Health Workbook. American Diabetes Association; 2023.
  • O'Donnell HK, Dong F, Johnson SB, Rasmussen CG, Frohnert BI, Steck AK, Bautista K, Sepulvdea F, Rewers MJ, & Simmons KM. Youth are anxious when they learn they are at risk for type 1 diabetes. Oral poster presented at: International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes 49th Annual Conference; 2023 Oct 18-21; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • O'Donnell HK, Dong F, Johnson SB, Rasmussen CG, Frohnert BI, Steck AK, Bautista K, Sepulvdea F, Rewers MJ, & Simmons KM. Who returns for confirmation after initial positive islet autoantibody results. Poster poster presented at: International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes; 2023 Oct 18-21; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • Tanner B, Shaffer ER, Trojanowski PJ, Driscoll KA, & O'Donnell HK. Racial and ethnic disparities in symptoms of anxiety, depression and disordered eating in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Oral poster presentation at: International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes; 2023 Oct 18-21; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • Shaffer ER, Driscoll KA, Milkes A, O'Donnell HK, Clements MC, & Patton SR. High rates ofa anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of young children with type 1 diabetes during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. Oral poster presented at: International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes; 2023 Oct 18-21; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • Simmons KM, Hall JD, O'Donnell HK, Deblois JP, Tanner B, Ferri C, Zaharieva DP, Powerll R, & Corcoran MH. A novel program to help teens manage type 1 diabetes during physical activity- Diabetes Training Camp Teen Boot Camp. Diabetes. 2023 June 20; 72(Supplement_1):577-P.
  • Simmons KM, Bautista KA, Rasmussen CG, Karban R, O'Donnell HK, Frohnert BI, Steck AK, & Rewers MJ. Guidance for persons who screen positive for islet autoantibodies and their health care providers-ASK the Experts. Diabetes. 2023 June 20; 72(Supplement_1):1273-P.
  • O'Donnell HK, Trojanowski PJ, Alonso GT, Driscoll KA. Objective self-management behaviors in adolescents with disordered eating. Diabetes. 2023 June 20; 72(Supplement_1):630-P.
  • Trojanowski PJ, Escobar E, Berget C, Forlenza GP, & O'Donnell HK. Assessment of eating disorder risk in adolescents and young adults starting an on-bopdy automated insulin delivery (AID) system. Diabetes. 2023 June 20; 72(Supplement_1):919-P.
  • Reynolds CM, Pardon AB, Scarlett CA, Driscoll KA, & O'Donnell HK. Generalized anxiety symptoms are associated with greater fear of hypoglycemia and A1C in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):63.
  • Himelhoch AC, Pardon AB, Reynolds CM, Scarlett CA, O'Donnell HK, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP, & Driscoll KA. Medical appointment adherence and psychosocial outcomes in high-risk youth with T1D. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):52.
  • O'Donnell HK, Driscoll KA, Shaffer ER, Tanner, B., Kahhan N, Clements MC, & Patton SR. High rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms in caregivers of young children with type 1 diabetes. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):54.
  • Tanner B, Shaffer ER, Trojanowski PJ, Driscoll KA, & O'Donnell HK. Racial and ethnic disparities in symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents with T1D and documentation in medical records. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):58.
  • Pardon AB, Reynolds CM, Himelhoch AC, Scarlett CA, Driscoll KA, & O'Donnell HK. The association between diabetes burnout and self-management behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):51.
  • Scarlett CA, O'Donnell HK, Pardon AB, Reynolds CM, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP & Driscoll KA. Moderating effects of race and sex on the association between diabetes-related distress and BMI among teens. J Pediatr Psychol. 2023 April;48(Supplement_1):129.
  • O'Donnell HK, Bennett Johnson S, Sileo D, Majidi S, Gonder-Frederick L, Driscoll KA. Psychometric Properties of the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers. J Pediatr Psychol. 2022 Feb 14;47(2):195-205. PubMed PMID: 34718681
  • O'Donnell HK, Vigers T, Johnson SB, Pyle L, Gonder-Fredrick L, Hendrieckx C, Driscoll KA. Bring Blood Glucose Down! An intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in caregivers of adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Study design and participant characteristics. Contemp Clin Trials. 2022 Jul;118:106792. PubMed PMID: 35589025
  • O'Donnell HK, Vigers T, Johnson SB, Pyle L, Gonder-Fredrick L, Hendrieckx C, Driscoll KA. Bring Blood Glucose Down! An intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia in caregivers of adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Study design and participant characteristics. Contemp Clin Trials. 2022 Jul;118:106792. PubMed PMID: 35589025
  • O'Donnell HK, Bennett Johnson S, Sileo D, Majidi S, Gonder-Frederick L, Driscoll KA. Psychometric Properties of the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers. J Pediatr Psychol. 2022 Feb 14;47(2):195-205. PubMed PMID: 34718681
  • Trojanowski P, O’Donnell HK, Vigers T, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Pyle L, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP, & Driscoll KA. Body Mass Index Moderates the Association between Diabetes Distress and Objective Self-Management Behaviors in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2022 June 01; 71(Supplement_1):571-P
  • Mannis H, O’Donnell HK, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP, & Driscoll KA. Relationship between Parental Fear of Hypoglycemia and Diabetes Conflict in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2022 June 01; 71(Supplement_1):1017-P
  • Shaffer ER, O’Donnell HK, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP, & Driscoll KA. Diabetes Responsibility Moderates Relationship between Fear of Hypoglycemia and A1C in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2022 June 01; 71(Supplement_1):596-P
  • O’Donnell HK, Himelhoch AC, Vigers TB, Alonso GT, Majidi S, Pyle L, Snell-Bergeon JK, Wadwa RP, & Driscoll KA. Self-Management Behaviors Mediate the Relationship between Diabetes Burden in Caregivers and A1C. 2022 June 01; 71(Supplement_1):605-P
  • Boranian E, Vigers T., O'Donnell H, Berget C, Messer L, Pyle L, Wadwa P & Forenza G. A novel 3-D model of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Metrics with HbA1c in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes. Poster session presented at: The International Conference on Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes; 2002 Apr 27-30; Barcelona, Spain.
  • Pardon AB, O'Donnell HK, Reynolds CM, Shaffer ER & Driscoll, KA. Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Fear of Hypoglycemia in Mothers of Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Poster session presented at: Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference; 2022 Apr 7-9; Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Gissen M, Shaffer ER, Driscoll KA, & O'Donnell HK. Stigma as a Barrier to T1D Management in Adolescents with T1D. Poster session presented at: Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference; 2022 Apr 7-9; Phoenix, Arizona.
  • O'Donnell HK, Vigers T, Johnson SB, Pyle L, Wright N, Deeb LC, Driscoll KA. Pump It Up! A randomized clinical trial to optimize insulin pump self-management behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Contemp Clin Trials. 2021 Mar;102:106279. PubMed PMID: 33440262
  • Majidi S, O'Donnell HK, Stanek K, Youngkin E, Gomer T, Driscoll KA. Suicide Risk Assessment in Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2020 Feb;43(2):343-348. PubMed PMID: 31822488
  • O'Donnell HK, Berget C, Wooldridge JS, Driscoll KA. Graduated exposure to treat fear of hypoglycemia in a young adult with type 1 diabetes: A case study. Pediatr Diabetes. 2019 Feb;20(1):113-118. PubMed PMID: 30370639
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Practice Locations

Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes Pediatric Clinic - CU Anschutz Medical Campus
1775 Aurora Ct
Suite A140
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-2323

Children's Hospital Colorado North Campus
469 State Highway 7
Broomfield, CO 80023
720-478-5000

Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus
1811 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-478-1234

Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Psychology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
Conditions & Treatments
  • Mental Health and Behavior
  • Stress Management
  • Child and Teen Health - Juvenile Diabetes
  • Child and Teen Health
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include assessing and treating psychological aspects of living with type 1 diabetes (e.g., fear of hypoglycemia) to help patients and families optimize health outcomes.

Public Speaking
Yes

General Information

Graduate Schools:
  • PhD, University of Colorado Denver (2020)
  • MA, University of Colorado Denver (2016)
Undergraduate Schools:
  • BA, Middlebury College (VT) (2012)
Internships:
  • Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School Program (2020)
Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado, Psychology (2022)
Department: Pediatrics-Barbara Davis Center
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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