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Webinar

Tobacco Treatment: Changing the Approach to Support Patients Who Smoke or Vape (For Clinicians)

September 18, 2026 — 9:00am

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Host : NYC Health Department

Date: 18th Sep

Time: 9:00am

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Traditionally, tobacco use treatment has been framed as only appropriate for patients who are ready to quit. However, offering treatment to all patients who smoke or vape is a more supportive, patient-centered approach. Treatment medications can help patients avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms while they are quitting smoking or vaping, reducing use, or avoiding smoking or vaping when they want to (such as when at home or work or in public spaces).

The 1-hour webinar will introduce tools and resources to help clinicians use this new approach to support your patients who smoke or vape with treatment, including medications, to help them reach their goals. We also will review background information and health risks of tobacco and nicotine products and discuss prevalence and industry practices that influence use.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the burden of tobacco use in New York, including inequities in use among those with behavioral health conditions. 2. Be familiar with the basis for an updated, inclusive tobacco treatment approach, to address inequities and promote patient-centered care. 3. Describe how to effectively treat tobacco use—including medications, counseling, and follow-up—based on a patient’s goals, whether they want to quit, reduce use, or avoid use in specific situations. 3. Appropriately prescribe medications for patients who smoke, even if they are not interested in quitting smoking

Instructors

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

Intended audience:

  • Prescribing Clinicians
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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.