Specialized Committees

Behavioral Health Committee, Emphasis on Disparate Populations    

Chair

Deborah Buckles, NCTTP
Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement

Biography

Members: Mike Miller, Deborah Hudson Buckles, Kayla Hsu, James Brawner and Lesa Abney

The Behavioral Health Committee focuses on disparate populations. This committee represents the interests of tobacco users including but are not limited to those with: substance use, mental health, chronic diseases (such as diabetes), pregnant smokers, etc. The committee developed and maintains resources related to tobacco treatment in behavioral health populations on the ATTUD website.

Business Practices

Co-Chair

Chris Kotsen, PsyD, CTTS, NCTTP
Associate Attending Psychologist
Associate Director, Tobacco Treatment Program
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Biography

Co-Chair

Michael Steinberg MD, MPH
Rutgers Tobacco Dependence Program

Biography

Members: Chris Kotsen, Joelle Fathi, Maher Karam-Hage, Laurel Sisler, Erika Bloom, Mike Steinberg, Mike Burke

The Business Practices Committee is to assist the tobacco treatment community with decisions affecting best practices in the clinical treatment of tobacco use disorders. The role of the committee will be to 1) disseminate information about best practices and most up to date research, and 2) advocate to improve funding and sustainability of tobacco treatment services across outpatient, inpatient, community and employee settings.

Communication Committee

Chair

Audrey Darville PhD, APRN, NCTTP, FAANP
University of Kentucky BREATHE

Biography

 Members: Dr Mohammed Bala, Caroline Cranos, Jennifer Greyber, Dr Surabhi Somani.

The Communications Committee is responsible for formulating and organizing the program for conferences sponsored by ATTUD.  It also oversees the development and implementation of any publications and communications such as a journal, listserv, website, and newsletter.

International Relations Committee

Members: Kim Richter (Kansas, USA), Mira Baghi (India), Sidney Pratt, (Costa Rica))

The International Relations Committee represents the large numbers of tobacco treatment providers outside of the United States, and to ensure the interest of non-US members are represented to the Board of Directors and in the association’s activities.

Interdisciplinary Committee

Co-Chair

Maher Karam-Hage, MD

Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas
Biography

Co-Chair

Jill Loewen, RDA, BS, MS 

University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Biography

The Interdisciplinary Committee represents the interests of the many disciplines that provide treatment to tobacco users, ensure both the interests of all professions and disciplines are represented and ensure that members are treated with respect regardless of professional background or discipline.

Inter-Agency Committee

Chair

Thomas Payne PhD, NCTTP, PhD Clinical Psychology
University of MS Medical Center, ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education & Research

Biography

The Inter-Agency Committee represents the interests of ATTUD in our ongoing and future collaborations with other professional organizations regarding certification in tobacco use and dependence treatment. The committee reports to the Board of Directors.

Membership Committee

Chair

Maureen O’Brien MS, RN, CNS, PMHCNS-BC, CTTS, NCTTP

Biography

The Membership Committee is responsible for recruiting members, the establishment and review of membership criteria.  The Membership Chair works with the management contractor to oversee the processing and approval of applications for membership. The membership committee is also responsible for reviewing allegations of unethical conduct of members or conduct that contravenes the stated goals of ATTUD, and, if necessary, for administering the provisions for revocation of membership specified in the by-laws.

Policy Committee

Chair

Matthew Bars MS, CTTS
Fire Department of the City of NY Tobacco Treatment Program
Jersey City Medical Center IQuit Tobacco Program
IntelliQuit

Biography

 
Members: Jay Taylor, Jonathan Foulds, Greg Seward, Carol Southard, Audrey Darville, Lavonza Holliman

The Policy Committee shall monitor potential policy actions that could influence the mission of ATTUD and, when appropriate, recommend actions to the Board of Directors.  The committee will also recommend new policy initiatives.  The committee will have a written process for how policy actions are determined by ATTUD.

Training Issues Committee

Chair

Angela Brumley-Shelton M.A., MPH
Lexington-Fayette County Health Dept.

Biography

The Training Issues Committee explores and investigates issues related to the improvement of training and continuing education of tobacco cessation treatment providers.  Emphasis shall be placed on (a) identifying standards of practice for Tobacco Treatment Specialists; (b) ongoing communication with the membership to identify key training issues; and (c) developing activities that serve the training needs of the membership.