Elise Pesch, DNP, FNP-BC

11.30.2015

Passionate about women’s health, Elise Pesch was thrilled to begin her nursing career in Labor and Delivery, where she worked with patients at two academic medical centers in Chicago, caring for many women with high-risk pregnancies. The experience sparked her interest in making a positive impact on prenatal health and encouraged her to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Rush University, where she served as a family planning clinic registered nurse and provided patient education on breastfeeding, C-section prep and more.

“I became fascinated with pregnancy in college 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.

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.” As a registered nurse, Elise worked in Labor and Delivery for more than five years before transitioning to a role as an OBGYN office nurse, where she developed an interest in gynecology as well. She “finds it rewarding to help make the process of receiving care as comfortable, empowering and safe as possible. I also love the continuity that comes with the OBGYN specialty—that I can support my patients over many years from young adulthood through menopause.” Recognized for her ability to listen, tailor treatments and get to know her patients as individuals, Elise also completed an elective rotation in Women’s Health, gaining experience and interest in topics such as menstrual issues, contraception, trauma-informed prenatal care and more. Mostly recently, she served as a Family Nurse Practitioner and OBGYN health resource for the physicians at Axis Medical Center and Family Clinic, where she helped patients manage early pregnancy and breast concerns with a holistic approach to care. Elise also received the 2019 ANEW Grant for nurse practitioners working with underserved populations and was a Thrive Mentor for Rush nursing students for four years. 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, and 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!

Jewelia Wagner, MD

08.17.2015

  Dr. Jewelia Wagner embodies the philosophy of Clinic Sofia with a keen interest in helping her patients be as healthy as they can be. She was actually leaning towards a career in internal medicine, up until her third year of medical school, when she did her first obstetrics and gynecology rotation:

“I had no idea I’d like it so much, but I absolutely loved working with women, hearing their stories and connecting with them. Even though it wasn’t part of my original plan, I knew.”

Her favorite parts of the job? “I love delivering babies, and I love doing surgical procedures and being able to help women,” she adds. Prior to medical school, Dr. Wagner's varied background included work as a pharmacy technician, volleyball coach and phlebotomist. As a competitive athlete, she has also studied the role of exercise in pregnancy. Her patients describe her as energetic, compassionate and a great teacher, who can make even the most complex anatomy easy to understand, which might be why she earned a “First Year Resident Teaching Award” while doing her residency at the University of Kansas. When she’s not working, Dr. Wagner loves running (and racing), volunteering as a volleyball coach and spending time with husband and four daughters.