Press Releases

Caron Treatment Centers Honors President Emeritus Doug Tieman at 31st Annual Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence Dinner

The nonprofit also announced the creation of a medical research center on its Pennsylvania campus

Wernersville, PA – June 30, 2021 - Caron Treatment Centers, a leading, internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education, announced that more than 800 people gathered at the DoubleTree in Reading to celebrate the work and achievements of Doug Tieman as he received the 31st Annual Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence and stepped down as CEO after 26 years.

“The Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence is presented annually to an individual or couple who, in the estimation of the Caron Board of Trustees, demonstrates the same spirit of caring and compassion exemplified by Caron’s founders Dick and Catherine Caron,” said Event Committee Co-Chairs Chris Kraras & Pat Shields. “Today, we’re thrilled to honor Doug for his unwavering commitment to helping Berks family’s access lifesaving treatment and recovery.”

During the dinner, affectionately dubbed “Tieman Gameday,” Caron announced that $1.2 Million was raised to benefit Caron’s Treatment Scholarship Fund. Caron Board Chair Thomas J. Flynn also announced that Caron will open a first-of-its-kind medical research center on Caron’s campus later this year, which will be named the Fran and Doug Tieman Center for Research. The center, which is currently under construction and will officially open later this year, to date has been funded by private donors with $6 Million raised through the leadership efforts of Flynn and long-time Board Member Benjamin J. Zintak III. Flynn also announced last night the kick-off of a public campaign with a goal of boosting those funds to $8.5 Million.

“I am truly humbled by these honors,” said Tieman, who will continue as a Special Advisor to Incoming President and CEO Brad Sorte for the next year and remain as President Emeritus to the Board. “I came to Caron with the hope of making a difference for families. Today, I’m thrilled that what we’ve achieved together has surpassed my wildest expectations. I am so grateful for this journey, and it will be such a pleasure to see Brad continue this important momentum as he steps into the leadership role at Caron tomorrow.”

Under Doug Tieman, Caron became one of the world’s premier treatment providers, leading the way in education, prevention, research, and treatment. Tieman greatly enhanced Caron’s presence in the sector - opening regional facilities in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, D.C., and Florida, and spearheading the expansion of Caron’s medical expertise through the development of the Carole and Ray Neag Medical Center on the Berks County campus and the forthcoming Keele Center in Florida. Likewise, he championed the importance of scientific research and physician training – consistently advocating for the importance of much needed standards and outcomes in the treatment sector. His philanthropic prowess also paved the way for the organization to provide more than $200 million dollars in financial assistance for treatment scholarships during his 26 years at Caron.

Over the years, Tieman has received numerous appointments and awards include serving as a board member for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and Chairman of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). In December 2017, Doug testified before Congress on behalf of patients and their families to increase access to ethical, quality substance-use disorder treatment services. Recognizing early the impacts the opioid crisis was having in Berks County, Doug worked with other community leaders to create BerksHOPE to provide local education, information, and resources.

“I’m very excited about stepping into the leadership role at Caron, following in the footsteps of Doug Tieman and continuing his legacy,” said Sorte. “I’m looking forward to increasing our level of research and bolstering our academic and hospital affiliations, as we move towards a stronger integration between addiction medicine and healthcare.”

The announcement of the Fran and Doug Tieman Center for Research cements Tieman’s vision of Caron’s long-term commitment to one day securing 100% recovery outcomes, which he deemed his “moon landing” goal. Tieman believes that medical research is the path that will help us reach this goal. Caron has already demonstrated a track record of success in independent and collaborative medical research through its team of experts. At this time, Caron is engaged in research related to relapse prediction, new therapeutics in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and genetic testing. Dr. Olapeju Simoyan, M.D., MPH, BDS, FAAFP, FASAM, Caron’s Founding Medical Director of Research, will oversee the center’s day-to-day operations with support from Dr. Erin Deneke, Ph.D., Caron’s Senior Director of Research, Dr. Jonathan Harris, Ph.D., Corporate Director of Neurocognitive Services, and Dr. Joseph Garbely, DFASAM, FAPA, Caron’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Medical Research and Education.

During the dinner, Stevens & Lee/Griffin was also honored with the 2021 Partner in Recovery Award for its ongoing support of Caron’s mission. Stevens and Lee/Griffin has provided invaluable volunteer leadership and philanthropic support to Caron’s Berks County Scholarship Fund and capital campaign projects for nearly 50 years.

Steven R. Wall, Esq. Managing Partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Caron’s past Board Chair, was the special guest speaker. He discussed his own personal journey with alcohol use disorder and the importance of family recovery.

Honorary Dinner Chairs include Linda Caron Denby, Tom Flynn, Carole Neag and Benjamin J. Zintak.
Honorary Vice-Chairs are Pam Barbey, Jim Boscov, Richard Ehst, Brian Hard, Daniel Huyett, Mike McGlinn, Karen Rightmire and Tammy White.

Caron Treatment Centers
Caron Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. Headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, our mission is Recovery for Life. For more than 60 years, we have helped thousands of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families begin to manage this chronic, treatable disease. Caron provides a continuum of care for teens, young adults, women, men, and older adults. Caron’s signature programming provides concierge treatment for executives, healthcare professionals, older adults and first responders. In addition to the Pennsylvania campus, Caron provides services in Palm Beach County, Florida, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron accepts several major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.