SUMMARY
Richard D. Hurt, M.D., emeritus professor, conducted research focused on tobacco use disorder and improving treatment for people who want to stop smoking. Dr. Hurt's experience in randomized clinical trials led to pharmacologic interventions that are still considered to be at the cutting edge of this field.
Dr. Hurt led an international initiative, Global Bridges, to train health care professionals in treating tobacco use disorder and advocating for tobacco policy change. He continues to be a member of the executive committee of Global Bridges.
Focus areas
- Combination pharmacotherapy for tobacco use disorder
- Treatment of tobacco use disorder in smokers with other addictive disorders
- Pharmaconutrition for preventing weight gain in smokers who stop smoking
- International training for health care professionals
Significance to patient care
The research conducted by Dr. Hurt and the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center team has significantly impacted the lives of tens of thousands of patients. Innovative treatments are quickly implemented by the center, where more than 55,000 patients have now been treated.
These treatments became the standard of care as Dr. Hurt and his colleagues widely disseminated their knowledge and experience through education programs such as Global Bridges, an initiative that trains and mobilizes thousands of health care professionals.
Professional highlights
- Fellow, American Society of Addiction Medicine, 1989-present
- Chair, Global Bridges: Healthcare Alliance for Tobacco Dependence Treatment, 2010-2014
- Founder and director, Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, 1988-2014
- First witness, Minnesota tobacco trial, 1998