Our tobacco treatment team includes clinical health psychologists, nurses, tobacco treatment specialists, and a health educator with decades of experience in helping people stop using tobacco products.
Leadership
Jamie S. Ostroff, PhD
Director, Tobacco Treatment Program
I am a clinical health psychologist with expertise in tobacco dependence treatment. I provide motivational counseling and behavioral support to individuals, couples, and families struggling with tobacco dependence. I specialize in working with cancer patients and others with medical conditions.
Chris Kotsen, PsyD
Director, Tobacco Treatment Program
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and a tobacco treatment specialist with a National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice.
I am a passionate and committed clinician with expertise in evidence-based tobacco dependence treatments. I have been working with the Tobacco Treatment Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to expand telehealth counseling for tobacco dependence to MSK’s regional sites. Related to this, I’m a PSYPACT licensed psychologist which means I’m able to deliver telehealth treatment to patients in 39 states.
I have a broad range of experience in behavioral health, addiction, cancer care, and lung cancer screening. One of my specialties is providing group tobacco treatment counseling in healthcare and workplace settings. My research interests involve using group counseling to help people quit tobacco products and making tobacco treatment services part of lung cancer screenings.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence, and as Co-Chair of its Business Practices Committee.
Attendings
Jae Ross, PsyD
I am a licensed clinical health psychologist who specializes in psycho-oncology, tobacco dependence treatment, and health behavior change for individuals and families living with chronic and other life-changing medical illnesses. I use a variety of FDA-approved, evidence-based interventions to collaborate with my patients in improving their health and well-being through treatment for tobacco dependence.
Gleneara Bates-Pappas, PhD, LMSW, MPhil
I am a behavioral scientist and oncology social worker, with expertise in helping patients and families navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), I support people with cancer who are currently using tobacco products. I also provide support to their family or household members. I see patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Counseling Center and MSK Ralph Lauren Center.
I have special training in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed therapy, palliative and end-of-life care, and tobacco treatment. My research focuses on identifying and addressing tobacco-related disparities in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. As a clinical researcher and educator, I serve as training faculty for the Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training (TTS) and Tobacco Treatment Training Oncology (TTT-O) programs at MSK.
I also lead the Families Together Wellness Program at MSK Ralph Lauren Center, helping individuals and families take steps toward a smokefree life. I also help connect them to tobacco treatment and MSK cancer screening services and resources. Additionally, I am committed to creating opportunities for students and trainees to engage in tobacco cessation treatment research in cancer care.
When I am not working, I enjoy baking, traveling, exploring outdoor spaces, and art.
Fellows
Ruthmarie Hernandez, PhD
I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Also, I am a clinical psychologist certified as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) by the University of Massachusetts Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) Training Program accredited by Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs (CTTTP).
Before joining MSKCC, in June 2021, I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Ponce Health Sciences University. As part of my graduate studies, I worked with different research groups studying the interaction between biological, social, and psychological variables in patients diagnosed with chronic diseases and mental illness. Simultaneously, completed the clinical training offering psychological treatment through interdisciplinary settings, including hospitals, community health centers, and oncology clinics.
As a researcher, my long-term research interests involve addressing cancer-related inequities among Hispanics/Latinos and collaborate with community members, patients, and clinicians to develop evidence-based interventions for smoking prevention and cessation. I aim to begin this by focusing on smoking behavior and treatment access (e.g., engagement) among Latino cancer patients that smoke. Also, as a clinician providing evidence-based tobacco treatment to Hispanic/Latinos who smoke and facilitating Spanish tobacco treatment groups.
Tobacco Treatment Specialists
Maureen O’Brien, RN, MS
I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist at MSK with over 25 years of experience treating tobacco use dependence working to address the specific needs of cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their families who want to improve their health. I work collaboratively with the healthcare team to develop individualized quit strategies that incorporate both motivational counseling and evidence-based, FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications. I am an active consultant, advocate, and liaison between MSK, patients, and their families regarding tobacco treatment and am also responsible for the development and implementation of patient and staff education related to tobacco treatment at MSK.
Rosetta Richards MSN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, TTS
I am a Board-Certified Adult and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner licensed in New York and New Jersey. I received my Adult NP from Stony Brook University in 1999 and my Psychiatric NP from Molloy University in 2012. I have over twenty years of inpatient medical experience and am qualified and experienced in treating patients with psychiatric disorders across their lifespans. I am passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services enhanced by my natural ability to build rapport with patients and families. I use evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience and personal observation, and work to develop a connection with my patients to help empower them to become active participants in their overall physical and mental health.
When not working, I love to spend time with family. My hobbies include yoga, reading, and listening to all genres of music.
“Everybody is worth everything” -Maya Angelou.
Claudia M. Ortiz, DNP, WHNP-BC, CTTS
I am a Nurse Practitioner and Program Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Ralph Lauren Center. I have been working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center since 2005, and previously worked at MSK’s Breast Examination Center of Harlem. I earned my Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree in 2015 from Frontier Nursing University and also have a master’s degree as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from Stonybrook University and bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. I am board certified by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, trained as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS) and a member of National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and the Out-Patient Regional Nurse Practitioner Council at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I am licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota, Florida and New York as a Nurse Practitioner in Women’s Health. In addition to tobacco treatment, I have experience working in Breast, High Risk Breast Cancer Screening, Cervical, Colorectal Screening, Lung Cancer Screening, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Adolescent Health and Managing Women’s health concerns.
Marta Sales, DNP, FNP-C
I am a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a primary focus in preventive screening for lung, breast, cervical, colon and prostate, in addition to treat nicotine dependence in patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Ralph Lauren Center in Harlem. I assist to formulate individualized quit strategies based on each person’s goals. I use an evidence-based practice model that includes education, motivational counseling, and FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications.
Beth-Anne Keating PMHNP-BC
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I have other thirty years of experience working with the adult population in both critical care and education. I specialize in working with the cancer population. I provide compassionate and comprehensive care to enhance patients physical and mental wellbeing.
Andrea Dolan, BSN, MPH, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, TTS
I am a dual board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and trained tobacco treatment specialist. I received a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from New York University.
For over 20 years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I’ve had the privilege of supporting patients and their families through complex health journeys. My approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and empowerment—helping individuals define and achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life. Using evidence-based practice, I provide patient education, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral approach, and FDA-approved tobacco treatment medications. I develop individualized quit strategies that integrate both motivational support and evidence-based pharmacologic treatment, tailored to each person’s unique needs, preferences, and readiness to quit.
My goal is to collaborate with patients and develop treatment plans that not only support tobacco cessation but also promote wellness and optimize health outcomes in preparation for surgery, cancer treatment, and during and after cancer surveillance.
Clinic Coordinator
Dionne Birkbeck, MPH
I am the Tobacco Treatment Program clinic coordinator who works with both the attendings and tobacco treatment nurses to ensure that the TTP patient experience a smooth transition in care. I am the first-person patients encounter and I am able to facilitate scheduling of appointments, assisting patients in the intake process and help to facilitate cessation medication requests.