Joe Grubenhoff, MD
Professor, Pediatrics-Emergency Medicine

Medical Director, Diagnostic Safety Program, Children's Colorado
Chair, Professional Standards Committee, Children's Colorado
Clinic (720) 777-6888 (CHCO ED)
Print Profile
Email Profile
Featured Provider Photo

Gender: Male
Languages: English
Department, Section/Division: Pediatrics-Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine

Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234
More providers at this location

Children's Hospital Colorado North Campus - Broomfield
469 State Highway 7
Broomfield, CO 80023
720-478-5000
More providers at this location

Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus - Highlands Ranch
1811 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-478-1234
More providers at this location

Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Pediatrics - Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Board Certification (2011,2021)
  • Pediatrics, Board Certification (2005,2021)
  • Advanced Trauma Life Support, Certificate (2005)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Certificate (2002)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Child and Teen Health
  • Emergency Care
  • Injuries and Wounds
  • Urgent Care
Clinical Interest for Patients
I have a particular interest in the cognitive psychology of human decision-making and its impact on diagnostic reasoning and patient harm. Improving our understanding of the role that systematic errors play in decision-making is a critical component to improving patient safety. Patient safety starts with the right diagnosis.

Care Philosophy
I aim to provide relationship-centered evidence-based care for ill and injured children. Shared decision-making supported by sound medical knowledge and informed by the child's and parents' wishes and values is the best way to speed kids to recovery.

Personal Interests
My personal time is spent road and mountain biking, learning about mechanical watches and all things Star Wars.

Education & Training

Medical Schools:
  • MD, Saint Louis University School of Medicine (2002)

Graduate Schools:
  • MSc, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (2015)

Undergraduate Schools:
  • BA, Colorado College (CO) (1997)

Internships:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (2003)

Residency Program:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatrics (2005)

Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatric Emergency Medicine (2009)

Recognition & Awards

  • Outstanding Service Award, Chlidren's Hospital Colorado Medical Staff Office (2025)
  • Tim Givens Award for Service to the Section of Emergency Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, CU SOM, Dept. of Pediatrics (2023)
  • Medical Alumni Hero, CU Anschutz Medical Alumni Office (2022)
  • 5280 Top Doc, 5280 Magazine (2022)
  • 5280 Top Doc, 5280 Magazine (2021)
  • 5280 Top Doc, 5280 Magazine (2020)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, St. Louis University Beta Chapter (2002)

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Pediatrics, Section of Emergency Medicine (AAP), Fellow, Member
  • Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, Member

Teaching

  • Professor (2025)
    School of Medicine, Pediatrics
  • Associate Professor (2016)
    School of Medicine, Pediatrics
    Emergency care, Diagnostic reasoning

Research & Grants

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Grubenhoff+%5Bauthor%5D
Grants
  • The Right Call: Implementing a Sepsis Diagnostic Safety Toolkit in a Pediatric Transfer Call Center to Improve Diagnosis of Children in General Emergency Settings (2023)
    AHRQ (H. Scott, PI), $1826983
Research interests for Patients:
My research focuses on reducing patient harm that arises from missed opportunities during the diagnostic process.

Information for Referring Providers

Clinical Interests for Referring Providers
Pediatricians, Family and Emergency Physicians referring children to a CHCO Emergency Department can expect their patients to receive care supported by evidence-based clinical care from board-certified pediatric emergency physicians in a regional pediatric trauma center.

Research Interest for Referring Providers
My academic focus centers on creating safer care environments by understanding and reducing the risk of harm arising from cognitive miscues during the diagnostic process. Missed opportunities to improve diagnosis remain a relatively under-appreciated source of patient harm.
Clinic Phone: (720) 777-6888 (CHCO ED)
Fax Phone: (720) 777-7126

CV Grubenhoff.Joseph_CV2025 (1).pdf