BWH has been selected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop a Targeted Community Smoking Intervention Program. As part of the contract to develop its Quit Smoking Program, BWH receives funding for the program’s start- up and ongoing support for staff training, counseling visits, group sessions, and nicotine replacement for a four-year period effective October 1, 2000. The Quit Smoking Program is part of an overall effort by BWH’s Health Promotion and Education Program to offer educational support and counseling to patients and their families.
A team including Lynda Cristiano, MD, Jorge Plutzky, MD, Laura Rossi, RN, MS and Louise Schneider, MD worked to develop the proposal for BWH’s program featuring bedside counseling with follow-up provided at BWH’s primary care practices at the hospital, Norwood, Newton Corner and Southern Jamaica Plain.
Patients, family members, or BWH clinical staff may refer candidates to BWH’s Quit Smoking Program. Each candidate will be assessed for their motivation to quit and their eligibility for different treatment strategies.
Alissa Mann, MSW has been hired as the smoking cessation coordinator. In her role, she will provide counseling to patients and respond to requests for consultation by staff. Appointments and referrals to the program can be made by contacting Mann at ext. 8983 or through the Referral Phone Line at 1-800-BWH-9999. Individual appointments and group classes are available.