November 03, 2026
Quitting tobacco is one of the most important steps people can take to improve their health. For people undergoing cancer treatment, quitting can also improve treatment outcomes, reduce complications and lower the risk of cancer recurrence.
Yet many people who use tobacco don’t receive the support they need to quit. Nationally, only about four in 10 patients receive tobacco cessation assistance from their healthcare providers.
Each year, UKanQuit, a tobacco treatment program at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, recognizes nurses, physicians and advanced practice providers across the cancer center and The University of Kansas Health System who are helping to change that.
These Tobacco Treatment Champions go beyond encouraging patients to quit and connect patients with evidence-based treatment and resources that can make quitting more achievable. Together, this year’s honorees referred more than 900 patients for tobacco treatment consultations in the past year. Many have been recognized previously, reflecting their continued commitment to helping patients live healthier lives.
2026 Tobacco Treatment Champions
Nurse Champion: MaryBeth Gloeckner, RN, BSN
Advanced Practice Provider Champion: Nancy Grable, MSN, APRN
Physician Champion: Ronak Shah, MD
Cancer Center Champion: Blaine Knox, MD
In addition to the four champions, UKanQuit recognized 12 nurses and providers with commendations for their continued efforts to connect patients with tobacco treatment.
Nursing Commendations
- TJ Schreiner, RN, BS
- Michaela "Milli" Clark, RN
- Tawnya Anderson RN, BSN
- Anna Jaben-Stein
- Tawala Garner RN
- Sheila Carlyle BSN RNAdmissions Nurse
Provider Commendations
- Jennifer Hanson, D.O.
- Alex Burnett, MD
- Navneet Hundal
- Sara Tepe, MD, DABOM, FACP
- Yousif Al-Baghdadi, DO
- Muhammad Shafiq, MD, MSc, FACP