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“It was my day to quit” explains

long time smoker

Smoking Cessation Course starts Jan. 9
 

ROME – Rome Memorial Hospital is offering a smoking cessation course to help people kick the habit. Registration is now through Jan. 7 in the hospital’s Education Department.
 

“The day my husband suffered a cardiac arrest and I watched him being resuscitated, I knew he would never smoke again,” explained Toni Domagal. “At that moment, I also knew it was my day to quit.”
 

Toni and her husband, John, smoked for 30 years. Today, they have been smoke free for one and one-half years.
“I was uncomfortable being a smoker,” said Toni, a registered nurse in Rome Memorial Hospital’s operating room. “I didn’t think I could quit easily, but because of my husband, the motivation was there.”
 

“My co-worker and friend, Marilyn Palinski helped me every step of the way.”
 

Marilyn Palinski, RN, is a registered nurse in the hospital’s Post Anesthesia Care Unit and is a nationally certified smoking cessation specialist. Palinski is a former pack-a-day smoker but, for the past 16 years, she has been smoke free. She is now an advocate and educator for anyone who wants to quit smoking.
 

“I knew it wouldn’t be healthy for my husband if I was smoking around him – and it wouldn’t be fair,” Toni explained. “Marilyn’s support and counseling, along with materials from the smoking cessation course changed my life.”
Palinski has been the hospital’s “Fresh Start” coordinator for over six years. Her smoking cessation course is based on the American Cancer Society’s “Fresh Start” program which combines information and support to help smokers break the addiction.
“It’s a challenge to quit smoking,” Palinski said. “But, people know when they are ready to quit. For some it is health concerns or the rising cost of buying cigarettes. For others, like Toni, it is a life-altering experience.”
 

“Statistically, the most effective way to quit is by using a combination of counseling and nicotine replacement or non-nicotine medicines. Some people, however, are unable to use the nicotine replacement products,” she said. “The hospital’s smoking cessation clinic provides smokers with techniques and support to help them overcome the addiction.”
The next smoking cessation program will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 9 and ending on Jan. 30, in conference room 201 at Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. James St. Palinski will teach the class.
 

“Marilyn was always there with support and much needed pats on the back,” Toni said. “The eight weeks of nicotine replacement therapy was beneficial to me, too. Using all of Marilyn’s resources made quitting easier. I found that I missed smoking, but I didn’t crave it.”
 

“Research shows 70% of all smokers want to quit. With some help and determination, people can quit smoking,” said Palinski.

“Are you one of the 70% that wants to quit and has a willingness to try? If you are, then we at Rome Memorial Hospital may be able to help you,” she said.
 

A $10 registration fee for the four-week program is due at the first session. Space is limited and advance registration is required for the smoking clinic. The class is open to adults 18 and older. Participants should plan to attend all four sessions for best results. Please call the Rome Memorial Hospital’s Education Department at 338-7143 by Monday, Jan. 7 to register.
Participants may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement patches provided through The New York State Smokers Quitline. It would be advantageous to call Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS before attending the first class to receive the free “start kit” of nicotine replacement patches.
 

Rome Memorial Hospital is a tobacco-free campus. The use of tobacco products are prohibited on all property owned or leased by the hospital to help provide a healthier environment for patients, staff and visitors.