Former Smoker Appreciates ‘Amazing’ Program, ‘Fabulous’ Service

It all started with a simple handbill. Katie McLaughlin returned to her desk at a University of Wisconsin clinic one day to find a flyer for the You Can Quit Program atop her other papers and office supplies. The program is designed to help employees of UW Hospital and Clinics, as well as the UW Medical Foundation (UWMF), to quit tobacco use.

Knowing of her struggles with tobacco dependence, her supervisor, Michael Holmen, left the program handbill. It was the final nudge McLaughlin needed to successfully tackle a quitting process.

“I started smoking when I was 16 and quit when I was 35," McLaughlin said. At that time, I was pregnant with my first child. I started up again when I was 45 and smoked for about a year and a half. I’d had several (quit) attempts between then, but none of them were successful,” McLaughlin said. “I tried cold turkey, acupuncture and the inhaler.”

This time, “The Chantix helped a lot. The You Can Quit Program was amazing,” she said. “It’s one of the best things that has come into play to help smokers quit. I had such a great experience; I’ve talked to everyone about it. Even my family in Iowa knows about the program. (Program Coordinator) Jennifer Gombar is a fabulous person.” 

Above: Katie McLaughlin quit smoking after her manager, Michael Holman, gave her information on a quit-smoking program. McLaughlin is an employee at the UW Medical Foundation.

Below: Jennifer Gombar meets with smokers who are interested in quitting during a free program.