Dominick Cirigliano

Dominick Cirigliano did just fine in the classroom as a member of the PMHS Class of 1996. But it was his passion and devotion on the baseball diamond that launched him on his trajectory to enormous success. Yes, he might have made it to the big leagues as a hard-throwing pitcher if not for an arm injury that ended that dream during his time at Dowling College. Instead, one of the pro scouts who’d been carefully watching sent him to an interview for a job with a drug company. He got the job and today, two decades later, Cirigliano is a renowned expert in the complex art and science of marketing pharmaceuticals as the founder, owner and CEO of OptiBrands RX. The company works with leading drug manufacturers to come up with distinctive names for newly patented drugs, and strategize their marketing to health professionals and consumers alike. “It’s a challenge, just like sports,” Cirigliano says. “My job is to translate the science of drug formulation into useful and understandable information that helps people choose the right treatments for the right circumstances.”

Thousands of brand-new drugs are in development every year, and each requires the invention of a brand-new name. It’s a matter of life and death that one drug’s name must not be confused with any other. “The packaging matters also,” Cirigliano says. “You can’t have somebody getting the wrong medication.” Think of drug names like Botox, Rinvoq and Skyrizi; they have become well-known through marketing and advertising devised by companies like OptiBrands Rx. The health of millions of people worldwide is at stake.

Beyond such crucial service in support of world health, Dominick’s penchant for participation and preservation is evident in his extensive philanthropic work. Through his company’s sponsorship of the annual Lt. Michael P. Murphy Run Around Lake Ronkonkoma to partnering with the Coral Restoration Foundation to replenish Caribbean reefs, his impact is felt across many sectors. Dominick is also a dedicated supporter of the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Marlins, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Clearly, to know Dominick Cirigliano is to be part of his team—from his days on the Pat-Med baseball field to today, as a citizen of the world. Dominick lives in Miami with his wife Barbara and young son Preston.