Jennifer Knapp, MSN, WHNP-BC

08.17.2015

Jennifer Knapp knows how important compassion is to healthcare. As a nurse practitioner, her goal is to listen to patients in order to offer the best options for them.

"I truly enjoy connecting with my patients, especially when I can help ease their fears. Empathy totally changes the dynamic when working with patients. When a woman is diagnosed with a condition, she may feel anxious. I love to explain what's going on with her body and help her understand the options she has so she can make the best decision."

Jennifer became a certified nurse practitioner specializing in OB/Gyn after receiving her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about all aspects of gynecology and helping patients achieve successful pregnancies.

"It's so great to watch patients grow and change through the years, including the appointments before and after pregnancy. Meeting their new babies brings even more joy to my job."

Besides being a nurse practitioner, Jennifer is a runner, a mother of two, and a foodie. She enjoys eating at restaurants with her friends, but balances out the extra calories with exercise, biking and yoga. Jennifer also loves to travel with her family to new places, including Hawaii and Lithuania.

Elise Pesch, DNP, FNP-BC

11.30.2015

Elise Pesch's journey to practicing within the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology began with an interest in pregnancy care during her undergraduate education at Lawrence University after taking classes in developmental psychology and medical anthropology.

“I am very much a 'people person,' so becoming a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner felt like the right role for me to pursue in making a positive difference in people's lives."

After earning her Master’s of Science in Nursing, Elise was thrilled to begin her career as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery, where she worked with patients at two academic medical centers in Chicago, caring for many people with high-risk pregnancies. The experience motivated her to take another step towards making a positive impact by pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Rush University as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  After graduation, she began her nurse practitioner career at a Family Medicine clinic primarily serving the East African community in Minneapolis.  She then took the opportunity to join Clinic Sofia and focus her career in obstetrics and gynecology. Elise finds it rewarding to help make the process of receiving care as comfortable, empowering and safe as possible. Similar to Family Medicine, she also loves the continuity that comes with the OBGYN specialty — that she can support her patients over many years from young adulthood through menopause.

 "I recognize that each individual begins a pregnancy under different circumstances and will need different types of support throughout their pregnancy. My goal is to provide individualized care to help each person have as healthy of a pregnancy as possible.”

Elise does the majority of the postpartum care at our Maple Grove location, between seeing our patients in the hospital the days after delivery and over the following weeks at office appointments. Whether you have concerns about your physical recovery or mental health after delivery, Elise is here to help you thrive as you navigate this time of transition. Elise is originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, but later relocated to the suburbs of Minneapolis with her husband and son. Outside of work, Elise likes to practice yoga, take her son to the park and lake, get out and try new Twin Cities restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and travel back to Chicago to visit friends.

Sarah Talbott, MSPAS, PA-C, CLC

07.13.2017

Sarah Talbott is a dedicated Physician Assistant and the newest member of the Clinic Sofia team. Born and raised in Bloomington, Sarah's passion for medicine began at a young age. She pursued her love for science and care by attending the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!), where she majored in Psychology and Dance.

Supporting women at every stage of their journey is not just a passion—it’s a commitment. From personal growth to professional triumphs, each step deserves to be nurtured with care, respect, and understanding. Whether it’s personal or professional, we’re here to help lift each other up, celebrate the wins, and keep pushing forward together. 

After graduation, Sarah worked as an ER Tech in Chaska, MN, before earning her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University in 2014. With a diverse background in orthopedic spine surgery, emergency medicine, and women’s health, Sarah has spent the last seven years focusing on supporting women through all stages of their healthcare journey. Her deep commitment to building meaningful patient relationships and seeing families grow and thrive is what fuels her work. Sarah also brings extensive surgical experience as a first assist in both robotic and open procedures. In 2018, inspired by the birth of her niece, Sarah furthered her expertise by becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor, a role that enables her to better support new mothers with breastfeeding. She is deeply passionate about women's health and is committed to serving her community with compassion and care.

Becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor has allowed me to better support new mothers on their breastfeeding journey. I am deeply committed to empowering women every step of the way, offering compassionate guidance as they navigate one of the most transformative experiences of their lives.

Outside of her work, Sarah enjoys quality time with her husband and two young daughters. She loves staying active through skiing, riding her peloton, traveling, and trying new restaurants. A self-proclaimed coffee and pizza enthusiast, Sarah even keeps a running list of her favorite pizza spots around town!