Communications

Christopher Hollenback is the communications manager at UW-CTRI. In 2021, the dean bestowed distinguished status to Hollenback for his contributions to the university and to public health.

“I lost my father to lung cancer at a young age,” Hollenback said. “So it’s wonderful to work at UW-CTRI as we strive to not only help our patients avoid diseases caused by tobacco use, but to ensure their kids don’t lose parents, their families don’t lose loved ones.”

While the Institute of Medicine estimates 70 percent of research studies fail to fully recruit participants on time, UW-CTRI has successfully filled every study in which Hollenback led recruitment.

During his two decades at UW-CTRI, he has led research and outreach communications efforts reaching out to patients, clinicians, administrators and the general public. Under his direction, UW-CTRI’s website has been ranked #1 worldwide by Google for searches with keywords “tobacco research” and “quit line.”

Before starting at UW-CTRI, Hollenback worked for organizations such as HospiceCare, American Family Insurance, the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. He was the communications director for a nonprofit in San Francisco serving people with developmental disabilities, where he co-founded a literacy program.

He has contributed to AARP Bulletin—the publication with the highest circulation in the nation—as well as Packers.com and ESPN The Magazine.

He is a published novelist and a screenwriter. He served as the story consultant for the movie Scouts Honor: Inside A Marching Brotherhood, which won several awards at film festivals. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in journalism and political science. He studied screenwriting at Second City in Chicago.