Pharmacist was marine biologist in past career

Each Tuesday, The Citizen features a health professional from the

Finger Lakes community in The Banks:This week, we spotlight Laura Aloi, a pharmacist in Skaneateles.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A. Helping people.

Q. What is the most challenging?

A. Dealing with insurance companies.

Q. Describe your ideal patient.

A. Someone who's interested in what medications do and how they work. And someone who's compliant with their medication and takes it as prescribed.

Q. When you're sick, would you want someone like you to be your doctor?

A. Sure. I'm knowledgeable about medications and their side effects.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you could give someone to stay healthy?

A. Proper nutrition and exercise regularly, and don't smoke.

Q. What's the most common misconception you hear from patients?

A. A lot of times they're frustrated with the insurance system, such as when a certain medication isn't covered.

Q. If you weren't in the health care field, what career or field would you do?

A. I was a marine biologist and worked with animal and fish medicine, so I would go back to doing that.

Q. For someone considering a career like yours, what advice would you offer?

A. Stick with it, it's worth all the schooling, it's a six-year program, so hang in there and it will pay off.

Q. What's your ideal cure for the common cold?

A. Hot fluids and steamy showers.

Q. In your opinion, which medical TV show is most realistic? Which is your favorite?

A. I don't think they're realistic, but “ER” is my favorite.

Q. Despite being in the health care field, people would probably be surprised that when I'm off the job, I _________.

A. Am laid back, but I'm pretty much all business at work.

Laura Aloi

Hometown: Syracuse

Education: University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Albany College of Pharmacy

Occupation: Pharmacist, Kinney Drugs, 23 Fennell St., Skaneateles

Hobbies: Traveling and boating