We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devon Ellena a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Devon, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career? Maybe you can share a story (or stories) that illustrate the things they did right and the impact they had on you and your journey.
Growing up one of five children, with two full-time working parents taught me many life-long lessons. Most people said my parents were “crazy” for having so many children; I am grateful. As the second oldest I observed my mom, (Susan) work long hours in healthcare as a dental hygienist and college-level professor, and my dad (Mark) as an independent business owner of Ellena Engineering serve the community and surrounding area. At a young age, my parents trusted in me to watch after my younger siblings; most nights I would organize and prepare dinner, striving to make my parents proud for having the dishes and laundry taken care of prior to their arrival. For the number of hours worked, I look back at my childhood and never once remember hearing my parents complain. How lucky am I?
Working in a team has always come as second nature. I learned early on if you do not work together, it is hard to accomplish any task. My parents were patient, they allowed us time to figure things out on our own. They offered guidance through demonstration, for example, showing us how to organize a calendar of hockey games, or make a zesty sweet and sour stir fry.
One thing you cannot teach is compassion. I think I learned this from watching my parents care for each other, us kids, and all of our family and pets. I feel a genuine curiosity to continue to learn, grow, and explore the medical field; my role in family practice is fitting in this way because I learn something new every day. I enjoy gathering a thorough history and physical assessment, investigating with labs, imaging, current knowledge, and using resources to meet individuals where they are at to achieve health goals. My curiosity to learn, passion for the healthcare spans greater than family practice and aesthetics however; I have an artistic eye and love for fitness. I strive to incorporate all my passions into Clinic Ellena Aesthetics, creating a way of life that promotes happiness, confidence, health, positivity, and unique treatment tailored to every individual.
Although I enjoy working in a team, I also appreciate the autonomy of working independently. One of the riskiest moves I made was to follow my gut and open Clinic Ellena Aesthetics—at the end of a pandemic and beginning of a possible recession. I am thankful for my parents who taught me strong values, work ethic and the importance of faith. I am also thankful for Dr. Scott Ross, dermatologist and mentor who encouraged me to pursue this role, in addition to my business partner Patricia, advanced practice aesthetician, who offers an extensive knowledge base in skincare and beauty.
As we continue to grow our practice this fall, I most look forward to fostering new and old relationships, working to achieve client goals, and working beside my younger sister (McKenna Ellena, BSN, RN) who recently graduated from St. Scholastica school of Nursing. We stand by our Ellena values of providing efficient, affordable, and quality-level care, in addition to being a patient advocate and leader in healthcare as we advance into 2023.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely, I received my master’s degree in nursing from Marquette University in 2016, soon then after worked 4+ years in the surgical trauma ICU and cardiovascular ICU at Mayo Clinic, followed by travel nursing in the ICU and PACU at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, all while completing nurse practitioner (NP) school through St. Louis University. My full time NP career began in family practice at Allina Health, where I still practice today in fact; this was in addition to working part-time in a private practice dermatology clinic.
Throughout my healthcare career I have always had an interest in skin, aging, and the multifaceted beauty industry; soon after becoming certified in injectables at the above dermatology practice. Here I developed long-lasting relationships with patients, staff, and family (my sister worked beside me as well). My career in injectables then took a step further and was integrated into my family practice schedule at Allina. I have been fortunate to work beside and learn from many reputable physicians, nurses, trainers, who have shared various approaches and modalities to facial balancing, multi-treatment combinations, all while maintaining a natural approach. I continue to seek out various learning opportunities with these individuals at conferences and seminars throughout the country.
What I offer at my (new) clinic includes a variety of services administered by myself (soon McKenna as well)–neurotoxin, fillers, sculptra, kybella, PDO threads; I also work beside an advanced practice aesthetician (Patricia) who is certified to administer two of my favorite skin treatments: medical grade chemical peels and skin pen micro-needling (in addition to other services). I like to have an open dialogue with those who choose to come to our clinic, and address areas of concern guided together by myself and the patient, much like I operate in family practice.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
My greatest hope is that everyone feels welcome in our clinic. Upon entry, and being greeted by the lovely Patricia, handed a chilled beverage, inhaling relaxing scents in the office, observing the clean space, open concept, natural light– one feels at peace and calmed by our presence. I talk to all clientele how I would want to be talked to, with a level of professionalism and a bit of humor; I discuss a brief history and background, working our way into a discussion of treatment plan and allow for follow ups as needed. I think most individuals appreciate this approach, and if they have a good experience my hope is that they invite their partners, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends. We love to grow our “Ellena” family.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I have always been a leader through demonstration, never through voice, so owning a business has challenged me to be more direct and strengthen my communication skills. I have learned that lines of communication must remain open at all costs, in addition to having clear expectations, and showing appreciation to valued team members. Our team runs on positivity, hard work and passion. I think we attract a certain cliente that makes our team even better than we ever imagined. We are overjoyed by the amount of support, encouragement and love our clients have shown us. lastly, my greatest business mentor and supporter (in addition to my mom Susan), my dad Mark, has been available at all hours of the day and night, answering my questions from bank logistics, to insurance coverage and I am so grateful for his guidance and knowledge from his own experiences as an independent business owner. Dr. Scott Ross has also aided in this process, offering professional guideance from his background as a private practice board certified dermatologist, with many different locations throughout his 40+ years of experience in the medical field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clinicellenaaesthetics.com/
- Instagram: Np_devon
Image Credits
Julian blanc