Providers
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Burnsville Family Physicians is a group of highly dedicated physicians and mid-level providers, who bring a broad spectrum of experience to our practice. Our support staff of highly motivated individuals, bring a strong and diverse skill set, and assist the providers in offering a level of care for our patients that we are very proud of.
Medical School:
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN
Residency:
Allina Health United Family Medicine Residency, St. Paul, MN
Fellowship:
University of Minnesota Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
Certification:
American Board of Family Practice
Subspecialty Certification in Sports Medicine
Brian F. Allen M.D.
Personal Profile:
Dr. Brian Allen is board-certified in Sports Medicine and Family Medicine. He works as a team physician for the Minnesota Vikings, St. Paul Saints, University of St. Thomas athletics, and South St. Paul High School. Outside of work he enjoys staying active with his Labrador sidekick. Some of his favorite activities include skiing, soccer, hiking, and golf.
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Professional Associations
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
American College of Sports Medicine
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Special Interests
Musculoskeletal injuries
Joint injections and ultrasound-guided procedures including PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
Primary care for all ages
Bone health
Undergraduate:
University of Wisconsin, Madison 1989-1993
Medical School:
University of Minnesota 1994-1998
Residency:
Family Practice, Fairview-University Family Practice (Smiley's) 1998-2001
Certification:
American Board of Family Practice
James C. Clark M.D.
Personal Profile:
Dr. Clark is married, has two children and a black lab named Scout. He enjoys gravel biking, fishing, camping, reading and travel in his spare time.
Professional Associations
American Academy of Family Practice
Minnesota Medical Association
American Medical Association
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Special Interests
Dr. Clark enjoys building lasting relationships with patients of all ages, in hopes of helping each patient reach his/her healthcare goals. He takes a special interest in diabetes, adolescent medicine, preventive health and evidence-based medicine.
Medical School:
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN (1999)
Residency:
University of Minnesota (UMN Medical Center & Smiley's Clinic), Family Medicine Residency (2002)
Certification:
American Board of Family Practice
Kara E. Pettigrew M.D.
​Personal Profile:
Dr. Pettigrew is married and has 3 children. As a family, their passions include hiking, travel—both near and far, and boating on the river. The family also loves to cook and create elaborate meals together.
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Special Interests
Dr. Pettigrew enjoys the whole family aspect of Family Medicine, often seeing multiple members of the same family. She also enjoys the variety of medical concerns that Family Medicine offers - from preventive care to acute care to chronic conditions.
Undergraduate School:
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Graduate School:
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Certification:
National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
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Stephanie R. Barnhart, PA-C
Personal Profile:
Stephanie feels that it is rewarding to see patients in times of good health, but also to serve as a resource when patients are in need of health improvement.
Outside of the clinic Stephanie enjoys spending time outdoors, playing and watching sports, and being active in general.
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Professional Associations:
Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants
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Special Interests
Stephanie chose to practice in family medicine because she enjoys caring for patients of all ages. In addition, she appreciates the variety of concerns patients may have on any given day, and looks forward to working together with patients to come up with a realistic solution.
She is also interested in adolescent/young adult care and dermatology.
Undergraduate School:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduate School:
University of Iowa
Certification:
National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
Ryan M. Helf, PA-C
Personal Profile:
Ryan lives with his wife in Saint Louis Park. Outside of clinic, he enjoys spending time outside with his dog, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Ryan loves the variety that working in family medicine brings along with the opportunity to develop relationships with his patients. His goal as a provider is to educate patients on their health and work with them to find a solution to their concerns.
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Professional Associations:
Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants
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Special Interests:
Preventive Medicine
Acute & Chronic Disease Management
Undergraduate School:
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Graduate School:
Northwestern College, Orange City, IA
Certification:
National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants
Sonia Vasilyeva, PA-C
Personal Profile:
Sonia grew up in the Twin Cities and enjoys spending time with her family on the weekends and go on walks enjoying the outdoors with her yorkie named Jorik. She also has one niece who she enjoys spending time with. In her spare time, she likes to attend plays and musicals and solve complex puzzles.
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Professional Associations:
Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants
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Special Interests:
Sonia has a passion for family medicine because she enjoys having the privilege to care for patients and their families in the long term. She likes to see patients of all ages and be able to treat a variety of different health conditions. Her special interests include preventative medicine, adolescent and young adult medicine, and chronic disease management. She strives to deliver compassionate and patient-centered care and to work together with patients to come up with the best plan of care.