The American Health Council has warmly welcomed Ms. Karla Juvonen, MPAS as “Best in Medicine.” Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Ms. Juvonen, from White Bear, Minnesota, is highly regarded for her expertise in Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Diabetes Education.

Ms. Juvonen’s mother was a nurse and inspired her to want to help others. In Ms. Juvonen’s community there was a physician assistant named Joe. Joe served the community in a practical way and mentored Ms. Juvonen in the early stages of her career.

Ms. Juvonen attained her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University St. Paul in 1995. This was furthered with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Iowa in 1998 and an NCCPA Certification in the same year.

Ms. Juvonen has upheld the position of Physician Assistant and Health & Wellness Consultant for PrairieCare Medical Group for 3 years and for Health Partners for 10 years. Daily, Ms. Juvonen is responsible for working with adolescents struggling with mental health, substance abuse for adolescents and chemical dependency. She works as an urgent care provider as well as a preceptor for up and coming providers.

PrairieCare Medical Group is comprised of approximately 200 clinicians, including one of the region’s largest collaboration of Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists. PrairieCare Medical Group includes the clinicians and support personnel that provide outstanding care to thousands of patients and families at PrairieCare. Although PrairieCare and PCMG are separate legal entities, they are closely interrelated and operate together in advancing the shared mission, vision and values. Key services provided by PrairieCare include an Inpatient Hospitalization Program, a Partial Hospitalization Program, an Intensive Outpatient Program, a Center for Neurotherapeutics, a Behavior Development Program and Clinic Appointments. Services provided by Health Partners are centered on Urgent Care.

Ms. Juvonen has been successful because she is empathetic, having been through her own recovery from alcoholism. Her experience with depression, hopelessness, and addiction, and the recovery that followed including inpatient rehabilitation created a level of empathy and understanding that simply can’t be found without experiencing it. This has made her a better PA, mother, friend and human being.

Over the next five years, Ms. Juvonen plans to continue in her role with PrairieCare as the facility is expanding. Ms. Juvonen is committed to helping break the mental health and chemical dependency stigma.

Outside of work, Ms. Juvonen enjoys spending time with her family, especially her five children. She also loves to play piano. An extremely charitable individual, Ms. Juvonen actively supports the Boy Scouts of America, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Out of the Darkness and the American Heart Association. She is also a Pre-School Music Teacher, a Volunteer at Washington County Jail and a Healthcare Provider at Recover Meetings – East Metro.