Shannon D. Simonovich, PhD, RN

---

Dr. Shannon D. Simonovich is a Nurse Scientist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Nursing Science at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing. She is also Associate Director of the Midwest Nursing History Research Center (MNHRC). She earned her PhD from the University of Washington School of Nursing.

For over a decade, Dr. Simonovich has worked alongside patients, families, and communities to improve health and strengthen the ways research responds to the experiences, priorities, and needs of the people it is intended to serve. Her program of research brings together patient and community engagement, maternal and child health, perinatal mental health, and the health of the nursing workforce. She currently leads a PCORI-funded initiative to develop and implement the Universal Engagement Reporting Tool, a standardized approach to documenting and communicating how patients and other stakeholders are included in health research.

A central focus of Dr. Simonovich's scholarship is maternal mental health and intergenerational health outcomes, using a life course approach to understand the relationship between perinatal mood disorders and adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. As founder of the Maternal Child Health Initiative, she partners with an interdisciplinary team of scholars and community partners to advance efforts to improve maternal health and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality across the United States.

Dr. Simonovich collaborates across disciplines, including social work, medicine, public health, psychology, epidemiology, and health services research. Her work integrates qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, systematic reviews, and community-engaged research to generate evidence that is both rigorous and responsive to the people and communities it is intended to benefit.

She serves as a Governing Councilor representing Public Health Nursing in the American Public Health Association, a member of the Executive Board of the North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing. As Associate Director of the Midwest Nursing History Research Center, she works with center leadership to advance its mission and visibility locally, nationally, and globally.

Dr. Simonovich is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. She is passionate about advancing intergenerational health and wellness, strengthening meaningful partnerships between researchers and communities, and mentoring the next generation of nursing leaders.

Specialization and Interests:

• Patient and Community Engagement in Research
• Maternal and Child Health
• Perinatal and Intergenerational Mental Health
• Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
• Life Course Approach
• Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
• Nursing Workforce and Leadership

Professional Affiliations:

• American Public Health Association (APHA)
• North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology (NASPOG)
• Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN)