Greater Minnesota Health Care Brings Appreciation and Awards

Isabelle Eller reports she was “shocked and amazed” when she was asked to be a contestant in the Miss Willmar pageant near her home in the small central Minnesota town of Sunberg.

“Someone from the pageant called me and asked me to do the pageant,” Isabelle recalls. “That phone call really made me feel special.”

The 19-year-old, who lives with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, says, as far as she knows, she’s the first person with a disability to compete in the Miss Willmar pageant.

Trena Clark, Isabelle’s mother, says the pageant organizers were wonderful and went out of their way to make sure things were adapted so Isabelle could participate. “The dance routine was adapted for Isabelle because she uses a wheelchair or a walker to get around,” Trena says. “The organizers made sure all of the activities the contestants do—like trips to a senior living home, a visit to a coffee for veterans, and a tour of the local fire station were all accessible.”

Isabelle, and her mother Trena, credit the excellent care from Gillette Children’s as one of the key components to ensure Isabelle can live her best life.

“We appreciate the convenience of the Gillette Clinic in Willmar. Especially in the winter months,” Trena adds with a laugh.

“Having the clinic near our home means Isabelle and I don’t have to make the 3-hour drive to St. Paul too often. That’s a 6-hour round trip for us to go to the main clinic in St. Paul and back home. When we need to make that longer trip it means I must take an entire day off of work.” Trena says.

Isabelle adds, “I’m in a special post-high school program at a school to learn some life skills. Going to the Willmar clinic with my mom means I don’t need to miss too much school.”

Gillette Children’s is committed to serving families and teaming up with health care providers in Greater Minnesota and throughout the region. Some of our doctors and providers drive thousands of miles each month to help families get the care they need closer to home.

Isabelle and Trena are especially grateful for the relationship they’ve built with Gillette’s associate medical director for Greater Minnesota, Andrea Paulson, MD. She travels every week to provide care for patients.

“I really like Dr. Paulson,” Isabelle says. “She refills my baclofen pump and explains what’s going on with my body really well. I talk to her about a lot of things, and she gives me good advice.”

An intrathecal baclofen pump (ITB) is a device that is surgically implanted to deliver baclofen medication directly into spinal fluid. ITB therapy helps reduce spasticity by allowing muscles to relax. This can be helpful for people who have cerebral palsy as it reduces abnormal movements, improves motor function, and reduces pain. Gillette has one of the largest ITB programs in the U.S and intrathecal baclofen pump refills can often be done in a 20-to-30-minute appointment at a Gillette clinic throughout Minnesota.

Dr. Paulson knows how busy families are, and she’s proud of Gillette’s commitment to meeting patients and families where they are.  “I’m honored to get to serve Greater Minnesota and bring Gillette and Rehabilitation Medicine closer to home for our patients,” Dr. Paulson says. “It is important for patients to be at school or work and to have time to enjoy family and hobbies and not spend all their free time traveling for healthcare.”

Isabelle says one of the best parts of participating in the pageant was the opportunity to make new friends.

Isabelle enjoyed the social aspect of the pageant and was awarded “Miss Congeniality”at the coronation event. She earned this title by a vote from the other contestants.

“When they announced I won ‘Miss Congeniality’ I squealed very loudly,” Isabelle admits.

“My picture was in the local newspaper, and I got flowers from my stepdad. My friends and cousins congratulated me. It was so amazing!” Isabelle recalls.

November is National Rural Health month and a time to highlight the medical professionals who care for the more than 60 million Americans who live and work in rural communities.

Trena Clark says she and her daughter appreciate Gillette’s commitment to Greater Minnesota and are grateful to the many providers on Isabelle’s care team.

“We enjoy the convenience of the Gillette clinic close to home and are happy with the Gillette Cerebral Palsy Institute,” Trena says. We’ve met some amazing Gillette doctors. Isabelle had back surgery with Dr. Tenner Guillaume who is the chair of the Gillette Spine Institute.”

Isabelle’s recollection of her spine surgery includes some good-natured banter with Dr. Guillaume about boys and what she reports is the “delicious macaroni and cheese” served as part of her hospital meals.

“The main thing I would like other families to know about Gillette,” Trena says, “is the fact that the doctors are so helpful. They talk directly to Isabelle and include her in the plan for her care. The doctors are happy to answer all my questions, and I never feel like I’m bothering them. It’s great to know they are on our side.”

Dr. Paulson is pleased families value having expert care in their communities. “Gillette is committed to caring for all patients and providing care close to home whenever possible,” Dr. Paulson says. “We’re able to serve much of Greater Minnesota through our seven Greater Minnesota clinics. I am proud of the work we do and Gillette's commitment to rural healthcare.”