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People Background

Tom Summerfelt PhD

Associate Professor, Psychology | Graduate Faculty, MBS in Rural Community Health

Contact Information

tsummerfelt@western.edu
Kelley Hall

Academic Divisions

Master of Behavioral Science School of Graduate Studies Behavioral & Social Sciences Department

Functional Areas

Rural Community Health Community Counseling Master of Behavioral Science (MBS) Restorative Facilitation Therapeutic Mentoring

Education

PhD., Vanderbilt University, Applied Social Psychology, 1994
MS, Eastern Michigan University, Clinical Psychology, 1992
BA, Kalamazoo College, Psychology & Secondary Education, 1987

Biography

Tom Summerfelt, PhD, brings more than 30 years of experience helping organizations improve health, well-being, and community outcomes through research, leadership, and innovation. As a psychologist and educator, he combines deep clinical training with practical experience in healthcare, nonprofit strategy, and applied research. He currently teaches at Western Colorado University, where he works with students in psychology and rural community health.

Tom’s background began in clinical psychology and mental health services research, where he focused on improving care for individuals, families, and underserved communities. Over time, his work expanded into healthcare system transformation, health equity, outcomes research, and community-based program evaluation. He has led teams in academic medicine, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare systems, always with a focus on turning good ideas into meaningful impact.

Whether in the classroom, in research partnerships, or in executive leadership, Tom is passionate about using data, compassion, and collaboration to improve lives. His work is grounded in the belief that better systems, stronger relationships, and thoughtful evidence can create lasting change.

 

 

Publications:

  • Villines D, Summerfelt WT, Spalding JR, Kitt TM, Kristy RM, Houle CR. Use of Initial Noninvasive Cardiac Testing and Association with Downstream Healthcare Resource: A Retrospective Review of Resources Used Across a 12-Month Window for Probable Type I Myocardial Infarction Patients. Pharmacoecon Open. 2019 May 17. doi: 10.1007/s41669-019-0128-1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31102147.
  • Sriram K, Sulo S, VanDerBosch G, Kozmic S, Sokolowski M, Summerfelt WT, Partridge J, Hegazi R, Nikolich S. Nutrition-Focused Quality Improvement Program Results in Significant Readmission and Length of Stay Reductions for Malnourished Surgical Patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2018 Aug;42(6):1093-1098. doi: 10.1002/jpen.1040. Epub 2018 Feb 2. PMID: 29392736
  • Dabbous F, Dolecek TA, Friedewald SM, Tossas-Milligan KY, Macarol T, Summerfelt WT, Rauscher GH. Performance characteristics of digital vs film screen mammography in community practice. Breast J. 2018 May;24(3):369-372. doi: 10.1111/tbj.12942. Epub 2017 Nov 5. PMID: 29105900.
  • Sulo S, Feldstein J, Partridge J, Schwander B, Sriram K, Summerfelt WT. Budget Impact of a Comprehensive Nutrition-Focused Quality Improvement Program for Malnourished Hospitalized Patients. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2017 Jul;10(5):262-270. PMID: 28975010.
  • Rauscher GH, Dabbous F, Dolecek TA, Friedewald SM, Tossas-Milligan K, Macarol T, Summerfelt WT. Absence of an anticipated racial disparity in interval breast cancer within a large health care organization. Ann Epidemiol. 2017 Oct;27(10):654-658. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.002. Epub 2017 Sep 20. PMID: 28964641.
  • Sriram K, Sulo S, Summerfelt WT. Author Response. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2017 May;41(4):528-529. doi: 10.1177/0148607117696327. No abstract available. PMID: 28445678.
  • Dabbous FM, Dolecek TA, Berbaum ML, Friedewald SM, Summerfelt WT, Hoskins K, Rauscher GH. Impact of a False-Positive Screening Mammogram on Subsequent Screening Behavior and Stage at Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2017 Mar;26(3):397-403. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-16-0524. Epub 2017 Feb 9. PMID: 28183826.
  • Shortell SM, Poon BY, Ramsay PP, Rodriguez HP, Ivey SL, Huber T, Rich J, Summerfelt T. A Multilevel Analysis of Patient Engagement and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Primary Care Practices of Accountable Care Organizations. J Gen Intern Med. 2017 Jun;32(6):640-647. doi: 10.1007/s11606-016-3980-z. Epub 2017 Feb 3. PMID: 28160187.
  • Sriram K, Sulo S, VanDerBosch G, Partridge J, Feldstein J, Hegazi RA, Summerfelt WT. A Comprehensive Nutrition-Focused Quality Improvement Program Reduces 30-Day Readmissions and Length of Stay in Hospitalized Patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2017 Mar;41(3):384-391. doi: 10.1177/0148607116681468. Epub 2016 Dec 6. PMID: 27923890.
  • 10. Summerfelt WT, Sulo S, Robinson A, Chess D, Catanzano K. Scalable hospital at home with virtual physician visits: pilot study. Am J Manag Care. 2015 Oct;21(10):675-84. PMID: 26633092