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:

• Self-help material
• Behavioral counseling (individual and group)
• Quit-line support
• Pharmacotherapy
• Social Support

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.

Michele Jean-Pierre, MSPH, CHES, Program Manager*
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Medical Sociology with a concentration in Gerontology from Boston University, and a Master of Science degree in Public Health from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.  Michele brings over 23 years of administrative and management experience to TCI and is a Public Health Leadership Institute class 12 graduate (2004). She has worked for the TCI since 2004, and currently provides oversight for the day to day operations of the TCI program.
Ph:  (504) 280-1532    Fx:  (504) 280-1531    Em:  mjeanp@lsuhsc.edu

Michael D. Celestin, Jr., MA, CHES, Implementation 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:  (504) 280-1532    Fx: (504) 280-1531     Em:  mceles@lsuhsc.edu

Krysten D. Jones, MPH, Implementation Coordinator*
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) 415-9258    Fx:  (318) 635-8687    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, B.S.,*
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 is currently pursuing 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

Tambria Hunt, M.A.,*
LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
Tambria holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from LSUHSC Shreveport and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling & Guidance from Louisiana Tech University.  She brings great experience in the study of human development and behavioral science to TCI.  Tambria currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (318) 813-2233    Fx:  (318) 813-2238    Em: thunt@lsuhsc.edu

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

Jennifer Miller, B.A.,*
Lallie Kemp Medical Center, Independence, Louisiana
Jennifer has a Bachelor of General Studies Degree with a concentration in the Social Sciences from the University of New Orleans.  Her years of organizational and administrative experience lend itself to conducting effective smoking cessation counseling with patients.  Jennifer currently leads out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph: (985) 878-1362     Fx: (985) 878-1569     Em:  jmil12@lsuhsc.edu

Wendy Rhodes, 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

Phyllis Stevenson, B.S.*
Huey P. Long Medical Center, Pineville, Louisiana
Phyllis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Southern University of Baton Rouge.  She brings several years of experience in coordinating health education and adult counseling programs.  Phyllis currently leads both in-patient and out-patient smoking cessation counseling sessions.
Ph:  (318) 483-7121    Fx: (318) 483-7114     Em: pstev1@lsuhsc.edu

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) 280-1550    Fx: (504) 280-153       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

           
Monica Lewis, BS, Administrative Coordinator*
LSUHSC School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Monica holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and is currently in pursuit of a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans.  She has been with TCI since its early beginnings, serving in several administrative and support roles for TCI management and field staff since 2004.  Monica is currently TCI’s Administrative Assistant. 
Ph:  (504) 280-1532    Fx: (504) 280-1531     Em: mlewis@lsuhsc.edu

*Certified American Lung Association (ALA) Freedom from Smoking cessation program counselor.