One program provides counseling and medications to help smokers stop smoking. Coordinated through the Rochester Salvation Army, the patients do not have access to other resources to help end their tobacco addictions. The Chest Foundation Governors Awards were presented today in San Francisco. The Rochester Salvation Army Smoking Cessation Clinic, staffed by Mayo Medical School students, offers counseling and medications to help people stop smoking. The medical students, who have been trained by the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center staff, work with patients for up to 12 weeks to help them achieve their goals of becoming tobacco-free.
Medical students volunteer their time.
Donations to the Salvation Army cover the cost of medical supplies. Since 1996, more than 13,000 Rochester area students have learned about the importance of making healthy choices from a team of Mayo Clinic physicians and allied health staff. Physicians, residents, medical students and other allied health staff work with classroom teachers to provide compelling, interactive lessons on making healthy choices. Tobacco education is geared for students in elementary, middle school and high school. Classes on body image are offered for junior high classes.