Thomas Ylioja, MSW, PhD
Thomas Ylioja, PhD, is a tobacco cessation expert at National Jewish Health. Dr. Ylioja serves as the Clinical Director of Health Initiatives Programs.
Research Areas
- Health Behavior Change
- Health Systems Change
- Population Health Management
Special Interests
Thomas Ylioja, PhD, is the Clinical Director for Health Initiatives at National Jewish Health. He is a licensed social worker with years of health care practice and research experience, and expertise working with individuals who use tobacco and other substances. Dr. Ylioja focuses his work with people who have health disparities or who have social disadvantage. Nationally, he collaborates with researchers, clinicians, and state health departments to build strong connections between health systems and the tobacco cessation programs of National Jewish Health. He is a thought leader in the area of youth vaping cessation and led the development of the My Life, My QuitTM program. Operated by National Jewish Health, My Life, My Quit is the first program to offer a comprehensive quitline – including text, online and phone coaching – designed to help youth stop vaping and using other tobacco products. The program has garnered national and international attention, having been included in hundreds of media stories since its launch on July 1, 2019.
Education
Education
- 2014 - 2018
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, PhD, Social Work
- 2010 - 2011
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, MSW
Board Certification
Pennsylvania Board of Social Workers, Licensed Social Worker
Professional Memberships
Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Society for Social Work and Research
Council on Social Work Education