Betty Ellis

Betty Ellis used to spend half a day a week at her local hospital in Mobile, Ala., getting infusions of immunoglobulin (antibodies) to treat her immunodeficiency disease. After almost a year of treatment, she wanted to know if she could administer her own immunoglobulin injections. She did not want to be tied to this hospital routine anymore.

During a follow-up visit to Mayo Clinic (where her disease was diagnosed in 2003), Betty asked about other treatment options. Dr. Catherine Weiler sent her to the Mayo Clinic Infusion Center where she learned how to administer her own immunoglobulin treatments. Betty then selected Mayo Clinic Specialty Pharmacy to be her source for immunoglobulin, which she began to get on a monthly basis through mail order in July 2004.

Although she was happy to be done with the weekly trips to the hospital, the self-administered treatments were somewhat difficult because of arthritis in Betty's hands.
Customer service staff at Specialty Pharmacy alerted pharmacist Brent Ferguson to Betty's trouble. Brent did some research and found an infusion pump that would automate the infusion process. The pump took the physical burden off of her hands and allows her a worry-free infusion session in the comfort of her home.

Not only did Specialty Pharmacy find a simpler treatment option for Betty, but the staff also keeps in contact with her doctor in Mobile, as well as continuing periodic calls to check on her. "This service has really been a blessing to us and we are truly grateful. On a scale from one to 10, our experience has been a 12," says Dave Ellis, Betty's husband.