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A snowstorm had left roads and most of the Brainerd Lakes Area extremely difficult to navigate.
Medical Director of Pediatrics Tori Bahr, MD, knew a patient was arriving that morning at Gillette Children’s Baxter Clinic from North Dakota. Despite the inclement weather, Dr. Bahr arrived at the clinic – roughly 130 miles northwest of the Twin Cities – early that morning in case the patient arrived for care. Sure enough, a van was idling in the parking lot. Dr. Bahr tapped the window. It was the patient and her caregiver.
Dr. Bahr has come to appreciate that patient care looks a little different in Greater Minnesota. It’s Gillette’s duty to provide that care, she says.
“We know that the conditions Gillette treats are not just limited to the metro area,” Dr. Bahr says. “It’s exciting to be able to go to the communities where these children live and be able to provide care closer to home.”
Benefits of Local Complex Specialty Healthcare
Benefits of complex healthcare in Greater Minnesota are numerous: Less time commuting to and from appointments in the Twin Cities, coordinated and holistic care with someone who is familiar with local communities and the organizations within it, and more frequent appointments and interaction with providers.
Gillette Children’s care teams are strategically located at clinics in Duluth, St. Cloud, Baxter, Alexandria, Willmar, and Mankato. Each clinic has a slightly different mix of offerings, but specialties include Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Seating at every Greater Minnesota clinic – plus other location-specific services including Orthopedics, a Down Syndrome Clinic, NICU follow-up care, and Complex Care.
Patient Care Goes Beyond the Medical Diagnosis
Often patient care goes beyond a medical diagnosis or treatment plan in Greater Minnesota. Rural healthcare providers must consider family dynamics, community resources, and the child’s overall well-being.
“When you provide care to people with special healthcare needs, you have to go the extra mile because that’s what they’re here for,” says Mindy Ostrowski, a nurse practitioner who serves patients in Alexandria, Baxter, Duluth, and St. Cloud. “You need to look at the whole big picture not only medically, but socially. What are their resources? Their family dynamic? Their culture?”
As she was driving to the clinic on a recent summer day, Mindy discovered an important medication was out of stock for a patient arriving later that morning. Even though she had already traveled an hour toward her patients, she turned around to pick up a dose at another Gillette Children’s location.
Meanwhile, her team members called the patient to delay the appointment for a couple hours. Mindy delivered the medication – and a hug – to the patient later that morning.
Removing Barriers
Serving rural families where they live helps remove barriers to care and builds lasting relationships in communities that often feel far removed from the Twin Cities, says Andrea Paulson, MD, Gillette Children’s Associate Medical Director of Greater Minnesota.
“Many of these patients wouldn’t get care if we weren’t in these communities,” Dr. Paulson said. “It’s not as simple as not wanting to travel to cities. There are families who don’t have the resources to seek care. There is also a disconnect between rural and urban communities.”
Gillette Children’s has had physical clinical space in most Greater Minnesota locations for more than 10 years, and Gillette providers have traveled to rural Minnesota locations to deliver care for decades. Families of children with complex medical needs often rely on consistency, and continuity of care is critical.
“We’ve had a presence in these locations for a considerable amount of time now,” Mindy says. “There’s trust. We’re not going anywhere. That’s important for families of kids with special needs because once they establish care with somebody, they don’t want to tell their story over.”
Intimate Connections
For some Gillette Children’s providers, caring for families in Greater Minnesota is deeply personal. Drs. Bahr and Paulson grew up in the communities they now serve, giving them a unique perspective on the challenges and strengths of rural healthcare.
“I feel like it is such an important thing for me to give back to a community that raised me and gave me all the tools to become a doctor and to dream big about science and being a strong woman leader and role model,” Dr. Bahr says.
Dr. Paulson, who grew up in Alexandria, also sees her roots as a guiding force in her career. One of her childhood friends, Lindsey, has cerebral palsy and was among the first reasons she learned about pediatric rehabilitation medicine and Gillette.
Today, Dr. Paulson has come full circle caring for Lindsey as her physician. For her, returning to Alexandria to practice is a way to honor her upbringing and strengthen the community that supported her journey.
“She was the first reason I knew about pediatric rehab medicine, as well as Gillette in general,” she says. “I really learn through her and have been able to come back and bring my knowledge and education into the community where we grew up.”
Many of the nurses and support staff who work at Greater Minnesota locations either live or grew up near the community where they now provide care. Knowing the community is paramount when providing care because patients value interacting with someone who knows the area and its intricacies, Dr. Paulson said.
Building a Stronger Future for Patients and Families
Gillette Children’s is building a stronger future for its patients and families across Greater Minnesota. Plans are underway to enhance clinic spaces with improved signage and accessible design across all sites.
Beyond physical spaces, community engagement is a top priority. Gillette aims to increase awareness of its services through partnerships with local organizations and expanded marketing efforts. Technology updates and staff development and training will remain priorities, too.
The updates will continue to improve care and ensure every location reflects the high standards of Gillette Children’s, said Mary Kautto, registered nurse and supervisor of Gillette’s Greater Minnesota Clinics.
“Our goal is to make sure families in Greater Minnesota feel the same level of support and expertise as those who come to our St. Paul campus,” Mary says. “By investing in our facilities, our staff and our communities, we’re ensuring care is both accessible and exceptional.”
