Jaimee Heffner, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Prevention Program
Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Dr. Jaimee Heffner is a clinical psychologist who researches tobacco-cessation interventions for populations who experience health disparities, including people with mental health conditions, low-income veterans, and sexual and gender minorities. Much of her work focuses on new behavioral treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy and behavioral activation. She develops methods to deliver these interventions — such as websites, smartphone apps and other forms of technology — to improve the accessibility of treatment for all tobacco users. Her research interests also include implementation of tobacco-cessation interventions in the novel setting of lung cancer screening.
Additional Contact
Edit Serfozo
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
1100 Fairview Ave N, Mailstop M3-B232
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
Phone: 206.667.2428
eserfozo@fredhutch.org
Education
Ohio University, 2005, PhD (Clinical Psychology)
Ohio University, 2002, MS (Clinical Psychology)
Washington and Jefferson College, 1999, BA (Psychology)
Research Interests
Tobacco cessation interventions for health disparities groups
New behavioral treatment content (acceptance and commitment therapy, behavioral activation, targeted motivational interviewing) to improve effectiveness of tobacco treatment
Improving accessibility of treatment using high-reach technology (e.g., websites, smartphone apps) and proactive outreach
Current Projects
Vet Flexiquit. A Scalable e-Health Smoking Cessation Intervention for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Veterans. Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI). Role: Principal Investigator. Funding period: 4/09/19-3/31/21. The goal of this study is to adapt a web-based, avatar-led smoking cessation program for Veteran smokers at varying levels of readiness to quit. During the first phase of the study, our team will conduct user-centered design work to target the content of the program to Veterans’ preferences and needs. In the second phase of the project, we will conduct a pilot study to compare the new program (Vet Flexiquit) with an existing web-based cessation program for Veterans.
WebQuit Plus. Targeted Online Cessation Program for Smokers with Bipolar Disorder. Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Role: Principal Investigator. Funding period: 7/01/15-6/30/19. The goal of this project is to develop and pilot test a tailored, web-based smoking cessation intervention for smokers with bipolar disorder based on acceptance and commitment therapy. Led by Dr. Heffner and supported by the National Network of Depression Centers, this multi-site study includes collaborators at Stanford University, the University of Colorado at Denver, and the University of Massachusetts.
Safeway Project. A Scalable e-Health Smoking Cessation Intervention for Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults. Sponsor: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/UW Cancer Consortium, Safeway Early Career Award in Cancer Research. Role: Principal Investigator. Funding period: 7/01-18-6/30/19. The aim of this study is to adapt a web-based smoking cessation intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy for sexual and gender minority young adults. During the first 6 months, our user-centered design process will focus on structuring this program to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ young adults. During the second phase of the study, we will test the acceptability and cessation outcomes of the new intervention in a single-arm pilot trial.
PROACT Study. Promoting Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening through Proactive Treatment. Sponsor: Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D. Role: Co-Investigator. Funding period: 9/26/18-3/31/22. The PROACT trial will evaluate the value of providing proactive behavioral and pharmacotherapy treatment to current smokers as part of participating in lung cancer screening. Tobacco treatment will be integrated with the reporting of the screening results. The PROACT trial is targeting current smokers who are participating in lung cancer screening at VA Providence and VA NY Harbor. Screening participants will be randomized to receive either standardized structured usual care with opt-out treatment accompanying their screening results or advice and unstructured assistance with tobacco treatment for those who request it.
TALK Study. Telephone-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Smoking Cessation. Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Role: Co-Investigator. Funding period: 2/1/15-11/30/19. This study compares two different groups receiving phone-delivered smoking cessation counseling. One group receives an ACT-based smoking cessation program and the other group receives the current standard care delivered by a smoking cessation quitline. Working with quitlines in South Carolina and Louisiana, the study is in the process of enrolling over 1200 participants. The investigators will determine whether phone-delivered ACT has promise to improve quit rates compared to the current phone-delivered standard of care in smoking cessation quitlines.
iCanQuit Study. Randomized Trial of an Innovative Smartphone Intervention for Smoking Cessation. Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI). Role: Co-Investigator. Funding period: 6/10/15-5/31/20. Investigators are working on creating an optimal smartphone application program for helping adults quit smoking. This study compares two different smartphone apps, an ACT-based app vs an app based on the US Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Quit2Heal. CVS Moonshot Smoking Cessation for Cancer Patients Study. Sponsor: CVS Health Foundation. Role: Co-Investigator. Funding period: 2/1/17-1/31/19. The goal of this pilot trial is to create a new smartphone application program to help cancer patients quit smoking.
Vet WebQuit. A Web-Based Tobacco Cessation Treatment for Veterans with Mental Health Disorders. Role: Co-Investigator. Funding period: 12/1/18-11/30/20. The goal of this study is to tailor an existing web-based tobacco cessation program for Veterans with mental health conditions.