Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free NY (HSTFNY)

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Webinar

Be Free with NRT – Flexible Options to Help People Avoid Smoking When They Want To (For Peers)

October 8, 2026 — 2:00pm

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Host : NYC Health Department

Date: 8th Oct

Time: 2:00pm

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Many people in mental health recovery smoke, and not all are interested in quitting. Tobacco treatment medications, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), can still help them follow residential or workplace policies, engage in day-to-day activities, save money, and reach other goals. Peer Specialists can use the Health Department’s toolkit to help anyone who smokes, using treatment approaches to meet people where they are. This session will introduce this new supportive approach.

Learning Objectives

1. Use the Be Free with NRT Toolkit to support people who smoke in meeting their goals 2. Explain how NRT can help them, even if they are not interested in quitting smoking 3. Help people choose and obtain NRT to help them meet their goals

Instructors

Achala Talati, DO, MS, MPH Director, Tobacco Policy and Programs NYC Health Department Aviva Grasso, MPH Tobacco Policy Manager NYC Health Department

Intended audience:

  • Other
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Amanda Mulhern

Amanda is the Manager of Community Health Programs (CHP) at St. Peter’s Health Partners, based in Troy, NY. She has worked in the tobacco cessation field since 2013 and, together with her team, assists medical and behavioral health care organizations/providers in a 9-county catchment area with developing and improving processes to address client tobacco use. Notably, CHP is focused on working with a variety of underserved populations, such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural community health centers, and community-based organizations. In addition, we place great value on input from community stakeholders.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Scott McIntosh, PhD, MA

Dr. McIntosh is Co-Director of the Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Research Program and Director of the Center for a Tobacco-Free Finger Lakes. He researches nicotine dependence interventions and trains medical professionals in guideline-based interventions. He has also contributed to global health projects on tobacco cessation, maternal health improvement, and diabetes prevention.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Kimberly Bank

Kimberly Bank and HSTFWNY have over 40 years of combined experience in treating tobacco use disorders and implementing treatment systems change in healthcare organizations. They help healthcare organizations integrate evidence-based tobacco use disorder treatment into routine care and practice.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Jackie Saltarelli, MPH

Jackie is the Program Manager for NYC Treats Tobacco and works with a team to support tobacco cessation efforts at healthcare organizations throughout all five boroughs of NYC. Prior to joining NYC Treats Tobacco in 2021, Jackie worked in healthcare development and received her Masters of Public Health.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Riley Brennan

Riley brings a wealth of experience to the tobacco control field, having previously worked in the social work sector before joining Glens Falls Hospital. In her current role, Riley and her team provide crucial resources and consultation to healthcare providers, enabling them to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for nicotine addiction more effectively.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Susan Lennon, CTTS

Susan is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and Tobacco Program Manager at the Center for a Tobacco-Free Hudson Valley. With over 12 years of experience in the NYS Bureau of Tobacco Control Health Systems, she leads a team that provides evidence-based education and support to medical and behavioral health organizations in seven Hudson Valley counties to integrate tobacco dependence treatment into workflows.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Kristen Richardson, RN

Kristen Richardson is Director of Community Engagement and CNY Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph’s Health. She has a background in research, education, community partnerships, advocacy, and health disparities. Recently, she led a successful clinical team in value-based contracts, contributing to significant savings.
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Meet Your Regional Tobacco Control Specialist:

Jennifer Sidi, MSN, AGACNP-BC

Jennifer is the Director of the Center for Tobacco Control at the Northwell Health System. She leads a team that helps approximately 600 patients annually with tobacco cessation. Additionally, Jennifer educates the community and health systems about tobacco use control guidelines, and works in underserved communities to improve access to medical care, vaccines, and preventative care.