School of Pharmacy to Honor Two Alumni at Annual Alumni Awards Reception
Ryan Iacomacci ’99 (PHARM), received the Exceptional Service Award. A graduate of the UConn School of Pharmacy’s bachelor’s program in 1999, he has spent more than two decades as a pharmacist in Bridgeport, CT. In 2014, he became certified in diabetes care through the American Pharmacists Association, and in 2008, he became a vaccinating pharmacist. Iacomacci also serves as an instructor for UConn and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS).
Outside of his professional life, Iacomacci enjoys cooking for his family, often using his great-grandmother’s recipes from her Italian restaurant in Bridgeport. He is also an avid outdoorsman, with hobbies that include gardening, birdwatching, and fishing. Additionally, Iacomacci trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and holds a purple belt, having even traveled to Brazil to train.
James E. Sok ’69 (PHARM), received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Sok has over 30 years of experience in healthcare leadership, including serving as president and CEO of several acute care hospitals and complex integrated healthcare systems in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. His career began as a staff pharmacist at a community hospital, where he was quickly promoted to director of pharmacy services. After earning two graduate degrees, Sok rose to the roles of executive vice president and later president and CEO of large hospital systems.
Throughout his career, Sok helped improve profitability, quality of care, and visibility for healthcare systems. He also led several major hospital construction projects and was board-certified as a healthcare executive (FACHE) by the American College of Healthcare Executives. In his retirement, Sok joined a startup biotech firm, where he oversaw the FDA application process for a new drug to treat rare brain cancer in children and adults.
Iacomacci and Sok will receive their awards Friday, September 20th during reunion weekend.
Latest UConn Today
- The School of Pharmacy to Recognize Three Alumni at the Annual Alumni AwardsThree alumni of the School will be honored in October at the Annual Alumni Reception on October 18th. These individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions through three awards: the Exceptional Service Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Tradition of Excellence Award.
- New Plant and Soil Health Center Named in Honor of Alum George Leigh MinorGeorge Leigh Minor ’56 (CAHNR) passed away at the age of 90 in January 2025, leaving a generous donation, which will be used to fund the renovations necessary to open the George Leigh Minor Plant and Soil Health Center.
- UConn and Yale-led QuantumCT a Finalist for Transformative NSF AwardThe National Science Foundation has announced Connecticut’s initiative as one of the few finalists for the Engines Program.
- UConn Medical Student Becomes Region VII Director for Student National Medical Association’s Board of DirectorsMeet Olasubomi Ayomini “Mini” Ajayi of UConn School of Medicine.
- Alumni Spotlight: Akshay Narula in Pharmaceutical SciencesGraduating with his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from UConn’s School of Pharmacy this past summer, Akshay Narula excelled during his time as a Husky. From watching basketball games at Gampel to spending hours in the lab, Akshay ensured he had the best UConn experience!
- Researchers Hope Documentary’s Example Can Promote Common Ground in Connecticut'One of the things ‘The Tennessee 11’ shows us is that people generally are on the side of less firearm injury and death. We may just disagree about how to get there'
