Our tobacco treatment team includes clinical health psychologists, nurses, tobacco treatment specialists, and a health educator with decades of experience in helping people stop using tobacco products.
Leadership
Jamie S. Ostroff, PhD
Director, Tobacco Treatment Program
I am a clinical health psychologist with expertise in tobacco dependence treatment. I provide motivational counseling and behavioral support to individuals, couples, and families struggling with tobacco dependence. I specialize in working with cancer patients and others with medical conditions.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and certified tobacco treatment specialist with a National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice.
I am a passionate and committed clinician with expertise in evidence-based tobacco dependence treatments. These typically involve combining counseling with medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for quitting tobacco use. I am working with the Tobacco Treatment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to expand telemedicine counseling for tobacco dependence to MSK’s regional sites.
I have a broad range of experience in behavioral health, addiction, cancer care, and lung cancer screening. One of my specialties is providing group tobacco treatment counseling in healthcare and workplace settings. My research interests involve using group counseling to help people quit tobacco products and making tobacco treatment services part of lung cancer screenings.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence, and as Co-Chair of its Business Practices Committee.
Tobacco Treatment Specialists
Suhana de Leon-Sanchez, RN, NP
I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a primary focus in treating nicotine dependence in cancer patients. I work collaboratively with the clinical team to formulate individualized quit strategies based on each person’s goals. I use an evidence-based practice model that includes education, motivational counseling, and FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications.
Maureen O’Brien, RN, MS
As a clinical nurse specialist, I address the specific needs of cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their families who want to improve their health through treatment for tobacco dependence. I work collaboratively with the healthcare team to develop individualized quit strategies that incorporate both motivational counseling and evidence-based, FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications. As a CNS, I am an active consultant, advocate, and liaison between MSK, patients, and their families regarding tobacco treatment. I am also responsible for the development and implementation of patient and staff education related to tobacco treatment at MSK.
MSKQuits Tobacco Cessation Educator
Ivy Opoku-Nti, MPH
Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist
I work with employees and dependents in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Employee Health and Wellness program. I assist employees and their dependents by establishing a personalized quitting plan that includes behavioral modifications, motivational counseling, as well as FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications.
Clinic Coordinator
Dionne Birbeck, MPH
As the clinic coordinator, I work closely with our psychologists and nurses to ensure that our clinic operates smoothly. I’m responsible for the coordination of patient schedules, database maintenance, patient smoking status, and report management on monthly referrals across Disease Management Teams (DMTs).