TPCP Announces Promotion and Welcomes New Staff Members - October 12th, 2010
TPCP Announces New Section Chief for Media and Health Communication
The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP) is proud to announce the promotion of Miriam Karanja to Section Chief for Media and Health Communication. Miriam comes to TPCP with a wealth of experience. Prior to settling in the United States, she worked in Kenya as an assistant brand manager for multi-national consumer products company Unilever Inc., developing media strategies and managing brands in different divisions including detergents, edible foods and skin care.
Ms. Karanja has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya, and completed a Master of Business Administration in Economic Development from Eastern University in Wayne, Pennsylvania. She relocated to Pine Bluff, Ark. in 1999 to head Southern Good Faith Fund’s Business Development (SGFFBDC), and in 2002, was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as their Partner of the Year. She served as program director for the SGFFBDC, helping entrepreneurs increase their incomes and assets by starting, expanding and improving their small businesses. In August 2008, she returned to her native Kenya for a six-month hiatus.
Ms. Karanja joined the TPCP on June 8, 2009 as a Health Analyst for Smokeless Tobacco and Substance Abuse.
Ms. Karanja enjoys having a healthy work-life balance, and is very active in her local church, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas. Her most meaningful moments are those spent with her four-year old son David.
TPCP Welcomes New Staff Member: Dr. Tariq Ali
Dr. Ali has recently joined the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program as the Health Program Specialist Data Manager. Dr. Ali obtained his doctorate in medicine from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan and thereafter served as the coordinator and Emergency Room physician at Aga Khan University Hospital. In 2001, Dr. Ali came to the United States and worked as a Research Scientist at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Philadelphia in the Department of Cytogenetics under OB/GYN, and published several peer-reviewed papers on uterine and cervical tumors/carcinoma. In 2006, Dr. Ali obtained his Master of Public Health degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia. His areas of interest are epidemiology and environmental and occupational health. After spending almost three years as an epidemiologist in Alaska, and working closely with NIOSH on occupational trauma, Dr. Ali decided to move to Arkansas.
TPCP Welcomes New Staff Member: William Lieblong
William Lieblong has recently joined the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program as Evaluation Specialist.
After earning a degree in business administration and minor in military science from Arkansas State University, Mr. Lieblong started work for Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals in 1974 as a territory representative located in Jackson, Miss. He progressed through the sales ranks and was later promoted to the position of Hospital Representative with responsibilities in sales, service and formulary access. He obtained additional professional education at academic, military and VA hospitals in Little Rock, Ark., Shreveport, La. and Jackson, Miss., and was later promoted into the position of government account manager, responsible for VA and military Hospitals in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kansas, Tennessee and Texas.
After Pfizer acquired Parke-Davis in 2000, Mr. Lieblong merged into the newly formed government section within the national accounts division of Pfizer. His customer base was VA Veterans Integrated Service Network #16 Headquarters and member hospitals. In 2005, Mr. Lieblong moved into the position of regional account manager gaining responsibilities in customer service and product access and utilization in federal hospitals, Commercial Insurance Managed Care organizations, Pharmacy Benefit Management organizations, health maintenance organizations, Medicaid, employer health benefit groups, and other managed care organizations in Arkansas and northern Louisiana.
During his career, Mr. Lieblong worked in many different therapeutic areas including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, mental illness, epilepsy and other neurological disorders, female health, Alzheimer’s, ophthalmic disorders, infectious diseases, arthritis, and others. He was the recipient of numerous sales performance awards, based upon customer and colleague feedback.
Mr. Lieblong also served as an Army National Guard Officer (medical service branch) in Mississippi, and later as an Army Reserve Officer based in North Little Rock, Ark. He served in numerous staff positions and twice served in command positions. He retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel after serving 22 years in the reserve component, and was a graduate of the Army Combined Arms Staff Services School and the Army Command and General Staff College. Mr. Lieblong is a native of Pine Bluff, Ark.
TPCP Welcomes New Staff Member: Antionne Dewayne Alcorn
The Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program is proud to announce the hire of Antoinne Alcorn as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Health Specialist.
A native of Newport, Ark., Mr. Alcorn obtained a Bachelor of Science in Addictions Studies from the University of Central Arkansas. He served in the United States Navy as well as in the United States Naval Reserve. As a Certified Prevention Consultant and Counselor-in-Training, Mr. Alcorn has 13 years of work experience in mental health and eight years in substance abuse prevention.
Mr. Alcorn has served as past president of the Arkansas Prevention Certification Board. He has presented workshops for MidSOUTH Prevention Institute, MidSOUTH Summer School on Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr., Commission Drum Majors Leadership Conference, and the Arkansas Collegiate Drug Education Committee Conference. He has also served as a workshop facilitator for various trainings focusing on issues such as ethics, diversity, risk and protective factors, community-based programming, and in substance abuse prevention. He has also served as a grant reviewer for Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention.
As an ordained minister, Mr. Alcorn serves as a youth minister and has participated in various faith-based conferences and workshops. His dedication and energies are focused on young people living productive and holistic lives.
Mr. Alcorn currently resides in Jacksonville, Ark. with his wife Donna and is the proud father four boys: Dexter, Joshua, Jacob and Joseph.
