Dr. Gregory Simon is a distinguished psychiatrist and senior investigator renowned for his extensive contributions to mental health services research and clinical practice. He currently serves as a Senior Investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute and holds a professorship in the Department of Health Systems Science at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. Dr. Simon maintains an adjunct appointment as Research Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, where he earned his Master of Public Health following medical training at the University of North Carolina. With over thirty years of clinical experience since establishing his psychiatry practice at Kaiser Permanente Washington in 1990, he has developed a distinguished career focused on bridging research and real-world mental health care delivery.
Dr. Simon's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced practical approaches to improving mental health care through systematic evaluation of evidence-based interventions that enhance patient outcomes across diverse populations. His leadership of the Mental Health Research Network, a consortium spanning 13 large health systems across the United States, has generated critical evidence demonstrating a 25% reduction in suicide rates through implementation of the Zero Suicide Model. His investigations into identifying and assessing suicide risk have directly informed clinical protocols adopted by healthcare systems nationwide, while his work on treatment-resistant depression has advanced care for patients with complex mental health needs. Dr. Simon's commitment to addressing racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care has produced actionable insights that help reduce systemic inequities in service delivery and treatment outcomes.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Simon has significantly shaped the mental health research landscape through his editorial role at General Hospital Psychiatry and leadership of the National Academy of Medicine's Forum on Drug Discovery, Development and Translation. His pragmatic approach to mental health services research has inspired a generation of investigators to prioritize real-world applicability and implementation of evidence-based practices. Dr. Simon continues to lead innovative initiatives exploring how electronic medical records can improve follow-up care for depression and investigating the causes of racial and ethnic disparities in mental health treatment. His ongoing work to model personalized treatment approaches promises to further advance precision mental health care while maintaining his longstanding commitment to developing effective strategies that support better mental health and wellness for all populations.
