October 14, 2024
UKanQuit, the bedside tobacco cessation program at The University of Kansas Health System, is dedicated to supporting patients on their journey to becoming tobacco-free. Each year, the program honors healthcare professionals from across the health system and The University of Kansas Cancer Center for their exceptional commitment to promoting tobacco cessation and improving patient health.
This year, the following individuals were recognized as UKanQuit’s 2024 Tobacco Treatment Champions:
- Kimber Richter, PhD, MPH, NCTTP, Clinical Director, UKanQuit
- Marci R. Allen, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical Oncology
- Jennifer N. Hanson, DO, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- T.J. Schreiner, BS, RN, Admitting Nurse, General Surgery, Trauma and Plastics
In addition, the following nurses received commendation letters for the number of patients they have referred to UKanQuit for tobacco treatment consultations in the last year:
- Tawnya Anderson, RN, BSN, Intake Strawberry Hill
- Michaela "Milli" Clark, RN, NS 51 General/Vascular/Plastics/Trauma
- Gena Cervantes, RN, BSN, Intake Strawberry Hill
- Catherine Givens, RN, BSN, Intake Strawberry Hill
- Tawala Garner, RN, Intake Strawberry Hill
- Lurena Shaw, RN, CTS PC Cardiothor Progrsv
- Kasie Victorine, RN, BSN, PCCN, 62 Medical Telemetry
- Donna Stevens, RN, BSN, PCCN, HC 2 Cardiovascular Labs PP
- Annie Burger, CTS PC Cardiothor Progrsv
About UKanQuit
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and is linked to 12 different cancers. UKanQuit’s hospital-based tobacco cessation program has proven to be highly effective in helping those with tobacco-use disorder. Research indicates that counseling that begins during a hospital stay and continues for at least a month post-discharge can increase a patient’s chances of quitting by 37%. Since the program’s inception in 2006, UKanQuit has treated more than 27,000 individuals and enrolled more than 2,000 participants enrolled in clinical trials.