About Us

The Program
The Tobacco Control Initiative (TCI) is a multi-disciplinary program specializing in helping tobacco users quit. TCI offers free or low-cost, evidenced tobacco treatment services to all Louisiana public hospital patients, employees, and the communities they serve.
Services offered to tobacco users include:

• Cessation medication
• Group behavioral counseling
• Quit-line telephone counseling
• One on one in-patient counseling
• Self-help material  

Our Staff
Management Team
Sarah Moody-Thomas, PhD., Clinical Lead
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Dr. Moody-Thomas received her doctorate degree from the University of Georgia.  She completed a clinical psychology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina and the VA hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.  Dr. Moody-Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist, professor of clinical health psychology and Director of the Behavioral and community Health Program at the LSUHSC School of Public Health. During the past 14 years Dr. Moody-Thomas and her team of behavioral scientists, implementation specialists and public health interns have initiated and evaluated a broad range of cancer control and tobacco prevention and cessation interventions.
Ph:  (504) 568-6038    Fx: (504) 568-5701     Em:  sthoma@lsuhsc.edu
Michael D. Celestin, Jr., MA, CHES, Program Manager*
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal and Public Communication from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Masters Degree in Human Performance and Health Promotion from the University of New Orleans.  He has more than 8 years of experience in tobacco prevention and cessation programming.  Michael has been working for TCI since 2003, and was recently promoted to statewide Implementation Manager.  He currently is responsible for the implementation of tobacco cessation services at all 10 public hospital facilities. 
Ph:  (337) 269-7310    Fx: (337) 269-7311     Em:  mceles@lsuhsc.edu
Krysten D. Jones, MPH, CHES, Manager of Implementation, Data and Evaluation*
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Krysten holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Dillard University and a Masters degree in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences from LSU Health Sciences Center.  She has been working in tobacco control since 2004, and was instrumental in the foundation and initial development of TCI as a Public Health Intern.  Krysten currently assists the Implementation Manager with the implementation of the statewide program and development of improvement strategies.
Ph:  (318) 865-4944    Fx:  (318) 861-8993    Em:  kjone8@lsuhsc.edu

Tobacco Cessation Specialists
Nakesha Auguster, B.S.,*
University Medical Center, Lafayette, Louisiana 
Nakesha holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Xavier University of New Orleans. Her 5 years of marketing experience provides a unique perspective and educational style for promoting a healthier lifestyle and behavior change among tobacco using patients.  Nakesha currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (337) 261-8541    Fx:  (337) 261-8527    Em:  naugus@lsuhsc.edu
JoAnn Brooks, B.A.,*
Walter O. Moss Regional Medical Center, Lake Charles, Louisiana
JoAnn holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with concentrations in Sociology and Psychology from McNeese State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Psychology to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.   Her educational experience lends itself to the behavioral and psycho-social aspect of TCI smoking cessation counseling.  JoAnn currently leads both in-patient and outpatient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (337) 475-8308    Fx: (337) 475-8416     Em:  jbroo1@lsuhsc.edu
D’Adario S. Conway, M.S.W.,*
Earl K. Long Medical Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
D’Adario holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Psychology from Southern University in Baton Rouge and a Master degree in Social Work from Southern University of New Orleans. He comes to TCI with several years of counseling experience.  D’Adario currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (225) 615-8315    Fx:  (225) 636-2760    Em: dconwa@lsuhsc.edu
Deborah Durapau, B.A.,*
Bogalusa Medical Center, Bogalusa, Louisiana 
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and is currently pursuing a Master Degree in Applied Sociology from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has moved up the ranks from Participant Recruiter to Cessation Specialist as a result of extreme dedication and hard work. Her background provides TCI with a unique perspective of the social, cultural, economic, and physical environments important to affecting behavior change.  Deborah currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions. 
Ph:  (985) 730-7166    Fx: (985) 730-7170     Em: ddurap@lsuhsc.edu
TBA
LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
Ph:  (318) 813-2233    Fx:  (318) 813-2238    Em:
Betty A. Henry- McFarland, M.A.,*
E. A. Conway Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana
Betty holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  She brings experience in professional counseling to the program. Betty currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph: (318) 330-7757     Fx: (318) 330-7255     Em: bhenr1@lsuhsc.edu
TBA
Lallie Kemp Medical Center, Independence, Louisiana
Ph: (985) 878-1362     Fx: (985) 878-1569     Em: 
Wendy Detiveaux, B.S.,*
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, Houma, Louisiana
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Child, Family, and Social Services from Nicholls State University.  Her passion for helping others has helped her move up the ranks of TCI from Participant Recruiter to Cessation Specialist. Wendy currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (985) 873-2499    Fx: (985) 873-2176     Em: wrhode@lsuhsc.edu
TBA
Huey P. Long Medical Center, Pineville, Louisiana
Ph:  (318) 483-7121    Fx: (318) 483-7114     Em:
Lucretia Young, M.A.*
Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 
Lucretia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling from Xavier University in New Orleans, LA.  She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral and chemical dependency counseling field.  Lucretia currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (504) 903-5059    Fx: (504) 903-5057      Em: lyoun2@lsuhsc.edu

Administrative Staff
Danielle M. Trepagnier, MS-HCM, CRA, Assistant Business Manager
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Health Care Management, both from the University of New Orleans.  She is one of only 7 Certified Research Administrators in the state of Louisiana.  Danielle has eleven years of experience working for LSUHSC, and has extensive experience in grants and contracts management.  Danielle currently manages the financial and human resource components of the TCI Program.
Ph:  (225) 615-8315    Fx: (225) 636-2760     Em:  dtrepa@lsuhsc.edu

Amber Walker, BS, Administrative Coordinator
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Amber holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Management and is currently in pursuit of a Master degree in Information Technology/Health Information Management from Capella University.  
Ph:  (504) 568-6038    Fx: (504) 568-5701     Em: awalk8@lsuhsc.edu
*Certified American Lung Association (ALA) Freedom from Smoking cessation program counselor.