Faculty Profile
Kristen Simmons
Assistant Director, Nurse Anesthesiology Program
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Assistant Professor
DNP, Chatham University
MS, University of Pennsylvania
BS, Villanova University
BA, Villanova University
Biography
Kristen Simmons, DNP, CRNA, CHSE is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with over a decade of clinical experience and several years of experience in nurse anesthesiology education. She currently serves as Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director in the Nurse Anesthesiology Program at 香港伦理 and ChristianaCare. Dr. Simmons also maintains an active clinical practice throughout the southeastern Pennsylvania region.
Dr. Simmons has held academic appointments at Villanova University and Thomas Jefferson University, where she has taught across the doctoral nurse anesthesiology curriculum and served as course lead for numerous didactic and clinical courses. A Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, she has particular expertise in simulation-based education, crisis resource management, and innovative teaching strategies designed to enhance clinical readiness and patient safety. Her scholarly interests include interdisciplinary education, simulation and crisis management, and the integration of emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—into anesthesia education and practice.
Dr. Simmons is deeply committed to professional service and advocacy. She has served as Chair of the Continuing Education Committee for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and as a Trustee and Co-Chair of the Programs Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Through these leadership roles, she has contributed to national continuing education policy, professional development initiatives, and strategic programming for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs. She is passionate about mentoring future nurse anesthetists and preparing graduates to be confident clinicians and leaders in the profession.