Can you start by telling us what you do?
In addition to being a practicing Doctor of Pharmacy, I'm a model. Modeling and acting is my creative outlet and provides a sense of balance in the world of pharmacy. It's a great escape.

What led you to your current profession?
I went to college in St. Paul, MN with a music scholarship and received a Bachelors degree in Music for Flute Performance. However, knowing I always wanted to pursue a career in a scientific field, I concomitantly took all the prerequisites for medical and pharmacy school. After college, I worked as a pharmacy technician for a year before going to pharmacy school in Amarillo, Texas. After graduation, I accepted a Community Residency position in Denver, Colorado and eventually became a manager for a retail pharmacy chain.

My modeling career began in college when I took classes in acting and modeling at Caryn's International Modeling Agency in Minneapolis, MN. I have been modeling for over 10 years and have grown my modeling career into fashion, print, commercial, and other media.

What's your favorite thing about what you do?
I really enjoy the juxtaposition between scientific and creative pursuits that I have established. I strongly believe people are multifaceted and should not be limited to one avenue in their professional and personal lives.

Are there any myths you'd like to bust about your profession?
Yes! There's a lot, so I'll stick to the major ones: Pharmacy: 1) Pharmacists just count pills and put them in a bottle. This is such a misconception and oversimplification of the profession. Many pharmacists do not count medication at all anymore, and of the ones which still do, it's such a tiny portion of our actual job description. Pharmacists make sure your medication is prescribed safely and effectively including looking for drug interactions, therapeutic appropriateness, and correct dosage in addition to providing instruction on how to take your medication and potential adverse events. We also provide an array of clinical services such as vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, birth control prescribing, and medication therapy management in which we take an in-depth review of your medication regimen. Our job is much more complex than the average person initially assumes. 2) Pharmacists charge so much for medications. Pharmacists have absolutely no control over drug prices and what you are charged for at the register. We simply enter your healthcare billing information, submit a claim with your prescription, and your insurance spits back the price. We agree that prescription drug prices are outrageous and will go out of our way to help patients afford their medication. The root cause of exorbitant prescription drug costs lies with Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, which are large, third-party companies that contract with pharmacies and a majority of health care plans. They process and pay all prescription drug claims, set drug formularies, and negotiate discounts and rebates with drug manufacturers. PBMs are the reason you pay so much at the pharmacy.

On a completely different note, let's talk about modeling myths: 1) Being a model is easy and everyone can be one these days, especially with Instagram. Platforms like Instagram and ever-improving camera features in cell phones have made it seem like anyone can be a photographer or model, which is true to some extent. There is a huge difference, however, between 'being a model' and being a 'successful' or 'good' model. The latter takes significant time, dedication, investment and perseverance, and most models do not want to put in the work. I can tell you, however, that without a doubt, you improve with time and experience. I look back at early portfolio photos and cringe at my poor posing and expressions. Working with experienced photographers is also worth the investment as they will help strengthen your skills. 2) You have to have an Only Fans to make money as a model. Only Fans has become the low-hanging fruit of the money-making world for modeling. While it may be the fastest and easiest way to make a profit, once you enter the realm of the 'glamour model,' it's very difficult to be seen as anything else. I realize the platform has uses beyond its initial purpose too--models will post exclusive non-sexual content, use it for direct messaging, and even photographers post photos. However, it not the singular avenue to make money as a model.

What lessons did you learn from the challenges created from the pandemic?
The pandemic has hit me hard on a professional level for both modeling and pharmacy. Social distancing and mask mandates have significantly impacted the number of available modeling opportunities within the past year and have also changed the work environment. A lot of gigs are virtual now, and podcasts and webcam interviews are becoming more popular. This has forced me to become better at in-person interviews and become more comfortable being put on the spot. The pharmacy realm has obviously been much more impacted. At the beginning of the pandemic, hospitals were overloaded with sick patients, this burden has transferred to pharmacies who are trying to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible with limited resources. The process is further confounded by the rolling out of eligible vaccination groups or 'Phases' which have people resorting to creative measures to try to better their position in the queue. These challenges have taught me patience, compassion, and empathy.

What's your superpower?
I don't know if it's actually a superpower, but I consider my ability to wear so many hats and take on the role of full-time pharmacist, model, and mom a talent. I tend to dive headfirst into interests and over-involved-hobbies for me becoming all-encompassing. This has its advantages but can also pull me away from other important things. Striking a delicate balance is a constant struggle for me.

Do you have any exciting ambitions for the future?
Yes, something very exciting is coming! I'm delving into the fashion design world and working on developing an upscale clothing line that will be primarily a swimsuit brand. We have a brand, logo, and some designs already in the works, and I can't wait to see our prototype in development. This is something I've wanted to do for a while and to see it actually happening is very motivating.

Do you have a favorite quote?
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw

Nicole Chausenko, PharmD. is a Community Pharmacist Manager and professional Model in Denver, Colorado. Her modeling website is www.iznicole.com.