Organizational History, Mission Statement, & Guiding Principles 

The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership (HCP), established in 1999, is in Tucson, Arizona, 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. HCP is a nationally accredited continuing education/certification program. HCP serves point-of-care providers and health influencers by researching, writing, and teaching evidence-based nicotine addiction interventions. 

Prior to initiating the program, HCP leadership oversaw more than 30 clinical/behavioral research studies as a part of the Arizona Program for Nicotine and Tobacco Research (AzPNTR). In 1998, HCP was awarded a contract to develop and test continuing education and certification models to meet the goals of the Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (TEPP). At that time, it was called the Arizona Cessation and Training Evaluation Program (ACTEV). Today, HCP programs are attended by health providers and health influencers across the country. Courses are held virtually and in person. 

The mission of the HealthCare Partnership is to teach evidence-based methods and techniques in support of healthy lifestyles and health & human service systems change so that each individual will experience lifelong optimum health. The Right Message at the Right Time. 

The HealthCare Partnership (HCP) holds five guiding principles that shape our mission:

  • Foster population-based and inclusive initiatives
  • Promote capacity-building and sustainable systems 
  • Uphold evidence-based best practices 
  • Apply theoretical foundations
  • Inspire community engagement and participation

Programs & Services

Since 1999, HCP has issued over 30,000 Certifications in Nicotine Dependence Treatment to a cross-section of health and human service providers, including: Home Health Aides, Community Health Workers, Social Workers, Nurses, Doctors, Midwives, Pharmacists, and Respiratory Therapists. The curriculum has been designed in partnership with Local, State, National and International groups on tobacco control initiatives and includes cultural adaptations and resources for specialty clinical areas.

Each of the core programs is designed to help participants learn, teach, practice, and establish systems to help people abstain from commercial tobacco/nicotine product use. Programs are designed using blended/hybrid technology-enabled instruction and on-site instruction. Programs are delivered via online platforms and/or hosted on The University of Arizona campus, as well as at clinics, hospitals, community centers, and on Reservation lands around the country. By attending a Nicotine Dependence Treatment Continuing Education/Certification program, participants learn the knowledge and practice the skills to effectively deliver brief and intensive interventions to assist people who use commercial tobacco/nicotine products to achieve lifelong abstinence.

Nationally Accredited Programs

  • Nicotine Dependence Treatment Continuing Education Program
  • Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills Certification 
  • Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills INSTRUCTOR Certification 
  • Treatment Specialist for Nicotine Dependence Certification (Part I & II)
  • Treatment Specialist INSTRUCTOR Certification
  • Instructional Specialist Certification
  • Master Facilitator Instructor

National Recognition

The expertise of the HealthCare Partnership faculty and staff, along with evidence-based teaching-learning resources and evaluation design, has resulted in external diffusion, replication, and sustainability of The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership Nicotine Dependence Treatment Continuing Education Programs.