Heidi A. Hamann, PhD
Professor and Department Head, Psychology
Co-Lead, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of Arizona Cancer Center
Principal Investigator, HealthCare Partnership
Heidi Hamann, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive research, teaching, and leadership in the arena of cancer prevention and control. Dr. Hamann joined the UA Department of Psychology in 2015 and now serves as Professor and Department Head. She also co-leads the Cancer Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) at the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). Her research focuses on psychosocial and behavioral aspects of cancer survivorships, including tobacco use and cessation. She has led a number of grant-funded studies, with a strong focus on community-engaged research. Her teaching and training portfolio includes graduate and undergraduate courses, research and clinical supervision, as well as mentorship of early-stage faculty members.
Zenén Salazar, BA, MPH
Director, HealthCare Partnership, College of Science – Psychology
Internship/Directed Research Sponsor, College of Science – Psychology
Instructor, General Education
zenen@arizona.edu
520-626-9344
Zenén Salazar rejoined the University of Arizona’s Healthcare Partnership in 2022 as Director. His career has focused on clinical research related to commercial tobacco use and nicotine addiction treatments, as well as leading education and community service initiatives. From 1993 to 1997, he held a leadership role in a key study on the effects of transdermal nicotine on Hispanics at the Arizona Program for Nicotine & Tobacco Research (AzPNTR). He also coordinated the launch of the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine) and was lead author of the 2006 American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking® program. From 1998 to 2008, Salazar co-developed and implemented Arizona’s tobacco dependence education model and authoredand taught Spanish-language certification programs focused on culturally and linguistically competent care. He also contributed to studies on provider training using innovative eLearning strategies for promotoras and promotores in tobacco dependence treatment. After transitioning to the mortgage industry from 2008 to 2022, Salazar held the leadership role of Vice President/Director of Compliance & Policy Management overseeing regulatory compliance and co-led a COVID-19 Task Force. Since 2022, he has been leading a public health initiative with the Indian Health Service to improve commercial tobacco prevention and control training for healthcare providers. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC).
Renee Sayre, BS
Appointed Personnel, The University of Arizona Psychology Department
Associate Director, HealthCare Partnership
sayrer@arizona.edu
520-626-9344
Renee Sayre leads the administrative support team for The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership. Her commitment and dedication to improving the health outcomes of individuals addicted to commercial tobacco/nicotine products has supported HealthCare Partnership for over 20 years. Ms. Sayre liaises with faculty, providers, and students to assure that the required multitude of organizational tasks are efficiently handled. She is the point of contact for HCP Certification Program inquiries, scheduling, contracting, and requests for technical assistance. In addition, Ms. Sayre manages the daily functionality of fiscal and operational activities of the program.
Mary E. Gilles, MD
Medical Liaison, HealthCare Partnership
Assistant Professor, The University of Arizona Psychology Department
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona
Administrative Medicine, Staff Physician, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Dr. Mary Gilles is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at The University of Arizona College of Medicine where she teaches medical students and Internal Medicine residents. She is also the Medical Liaison of The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership and an Internist in clinical practice at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Dr. Gilles has served as the Principal Investigator for clinical trials, studying the efficacy of medications for the treatment of Tobacco Use Disorder. She is the former Medical Director of the Arizona Program for Nicotine and Tobacco Research, as well as the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Smoking Cessation Program. Dr. Gilles has designed and implemented physician and allied health professional educational curricula addressing tobacco dependence treatment.
Mae-Kuang Chen, MS, MA, PhD
Research Specialist, HealthCare Partnership 2016 – Present
Research Scientist, Department of Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies, The University of Arizona, 2015 – Present
As Research Specialist since 2016, Dr. Mei-Kuang Chen oversees evaluation and research activities of the HealthCare Partnership, including data collection methods, instrument design, and report dissemination for the Tobacco Dependence Treatment Continuing Education and Certification programs. She supervises the data entry process to verify data and maintain data sets, assuring quality control of data management, and managing data files. Dr. Chen collaborates closely with the HCP team to assure the provision of reports in accordance with contract terms and deliverables.