UW-CTRI
Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention - University of Wisconsin Medical School
Click here for the latest news from UW-CTRI Click here for information on the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line Click here to access publications produced by UW-CTRI Click here for information about UW-CTRI programs

Click here for the HealthCare Providers Page
Click here for information to help smokers quit
Click here for information on smoking for insurers
Click here for information for employers to help employees quit
Click here for information for policymakers and tobacco control advocates
Click here for the UW-CTRI home page

Kate Kobinsky, MPH, CHES
Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line Coordinator

Kate Kobinsky coordinates the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, a free, individualized counseling service designed to help Wisconsin smokers quit.

"We provide compassionate help to Wisconsin residents who want to become tobacco-free," Kobinsky said.

Kate Kobinsky: Click here to hear from Kate
Click on the image above to hear from Kate Kobinsky, Coordinator of the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line

 

Kobinsky heads the Fax to Quit program, which syncs patients with the Quit Line. After a healthcare provider asks a patient about tobacco use and offers assistance, the patient can sign up for Fax to Quit. The Quit Line then calls at a time specified by the patient.

"We know healthcare providers are swamped," Kobinsky said, "so the Quit Line is here to take pressure off them by providing state-of-the-art coaching on how to quit." Research shows an intervention by a doctor plus Quit-Line coaching can quadruple the chances a patient will quit.

Kobinsky was most recently the director of the First Breath program, which helps pregnant women quit smoking.

Kobinsky received her BS in biology and chemistry, her masters in public health and a certification as a health education specialist from UW-La Crosse.  She first worked as a health educator for Security Health Plan in Marshfield from 2000-2004, an HMO that covers 27 counties in Wisconsin.  

To schedule interviews with UW-CTRI representatives, contact Communications.

© 2008 UW-CTRI