Northwestern Medical Center

Heidi Messier
802-524-8831
hmessier@nmcinc.org

I grew up in Franklin on a dairy farm, and graduated with a Bachelors Degree from UVM's School of Nursing in 2000. Professionally, I've worked at Copley Hospital, Fletcher Allen Health Care and Northwestern Medical Center as a Medical Surgical Nurse. I've been in my current position as a Chronic Disease Nurse for almost 2 years and I've worked as a Quit Coach for about a year and a half. I still live in Franklin County; I'm married and have a toddler son. One of the most interesting things about me is that I inherited my Grandmothers' ability to cook. I can tear it up in the kitchen! 

I've had many inspirational experiences since I've been a quit coach. One client began seeing me because he couldn't breathe, and had to use the elevator (my office is on the second floor). He was then able to start using the stairs after just 1 month of having quit. He also started knitting to help himself cope with his cravings in the evening. After a couple months he had completed a beautiful afghan.

"If I can give one piece of advice to anyone who is quitting or supporting someone who is quitting, it's that it takes some practice. It has taken practice for me to become an effective coach and it will take practice for someone to be effective at quitting."

"The strangest place that I've ever attempted to work with a group of people was at a farm where a group of employees wanted to try quitting together."

"The most common things that I see trigger people to start smoking again are alcohol and stress."