Thomas Nolin
Thomas Nolin, a 1989 graduate from the UConn School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.
After his time at UConn, he continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Master of Science in Pharmacy and completed a hospital pharmacy residency. He later received a Pharm.D. and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.
Nolin began his career as a Clinical Pharmacologist in nephrology at Maine Medical Center before moving to the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 as an assistant professor. Now, Nolin is a professor and serves as the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy’s Associate Dean for Research.
Additionally, he serves as Director of the University’s Small Molecule Biomarker Core mass spectrometry facility and holds a secondary faculty appointment in the Renal-Electrolyte Division at the University’s School of Medicine.
Nolin’s research focuses on how kidney disease affects the way medications work in the body. This research has influenced how pharmaceutical companies and clinicians develop and use medications for patients with impaired kidney function.
Throughout his career, Nolin has worked with researchers, professionals, and pharmacists from a diverse range of fields. This includes working with government agencies, drug companies, and academic scientists to conduct research that bridges scientific discoveries and patient care and develops guidelines for the use of medications in people with kidney disease.
Nolin has delivered more than 200 scientific abstracts and invited presentations and authored more than 200 manuscripts and book chapters. He is also an editor of DiPiro’s Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. He is a fellow of multiple organizations, including the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and the American Society of Nephrology.
Herman Kranc
Herman Kranc, a 1988 graduate of the school, is the recipient of the 2026 Exceptional Service Award.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1988, Kranc worked as a Pharmacy Owner and retail pharmacy Manager before switching to the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services.
Kranc has held multiple different roles at the Connecticut Department of Social Services, which include Pharmacy Consultant, Medical Administration Manager, CT Aids Drug Assistance Program (CADAP) Manager, and acting Community Health Network of Connecticut (CHN CT) Oversight Manager.
Currently, Kranc holds the position of Pharmacy Manager at the State Department while still routinely practicing pharmacy in the retail setting. In his role as Pharmacy Manager, Kranc negotiates contracts, determines how healthcare programs are evaluated, measures performance and quality measures of healthcare providers, develops improvement projects, initiates satisfaction surveys for providers and patients, and assists in medical program initiatives.
With over 35 years working as a pharmacist and healthcare professional, Kranc’s primary focus is improving healthcare outcomes by reducing costs and increasing access for the most vulnerable populations.
Joshua Friedman
Joshua Friedman graduated from the school in 2010 with a Pharm.D. and is the recipient of the 2026 Tradition of Excellence Award.
Since graduating, Friedman has spent his career working at Yale-New Haven Health in a variety of positions. These include Central Operations Pharmacist, Pharmacy Operations Specialist, and his current role as a Senior Health System Pharmacy Procurement Specialist. Additionally, he has teaching experience as both a resident preceptor and student preceptor, where he has trained pharmacy residents and university students at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
In his current position, Friedman manages system-wide drug shortage processes, oversees pharmacy procurement staff, ensures accurate purchasing of medications, and trains pharmacy students during their clinical rotations.
Additionally, at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Friedman has contributed to several institutional committees, such as the health system operations committee, and has provided many presentations and orientation sessions for pharmacy staff members.
