About Branch Family Medicine & Wellness
A practice founded on partnership, experience, and a genuine commitment
to your health.
Why We Started
Branch Family Medicine & Wellness was founded on the belief that every person deserves a healthcare provider who truly knows them. For more than two decades, Dr. Larina Branch worked across hospitals, specialty clinics, and primary care settings — and throughout that journey, one truth remained constant: the most meaningful care happens when a patient feels heard, respected, and empowered.
That belief is the foundation of everything we do here. We started this practice to create the kind of healthcare experience patients often describe wishing they had — one built around real relationships, thoughtful conversations, and care plans that reflect your life,
not just your lab values.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate, accessible, and patient-centered healthcare that empowers individuals and families to achieve their healthiest lives through prevention, education, and personalized care.
How We Approach Care
Dr. Branch has always believed that health is a journey — one that looks different for every person, and one that rarely moves in a straight line. At Branch Family Medicine & Wellness, we don’t measure success in dramatic transformations or perfect lab panels. We measure it in steady, sustainable progress: the A1C that keeps coming down, the blood pressure that stays controlled, the patient who finally feels confident managing their own health.
That means we build care plans around your life, not the other way around. We factor in your schedule, your habits, your goals, and the reality of what you can sustain. We encourage moderation over extremes, informed choices over rigid rules, and forward momentum over perfection. Every visit is a chance to take the next right step — and we’re here to help you figure out what that step is.
Meet Dr. Larina Branch, DNP, FNP-BC
Dr. Larina Branch is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 22 years of healthcare experience — and a provider who has spent her entire career doing the hard, meaningful work of showing up for patients in real ways.
She began her nursing career at Ingalls Hospital in 2008, where she worked as an RN and leadership manager of the Medical-Surgical and Stroke Unit, developing a strong foundation in clinical leadership, patient advocacy, and interdisciplinary care. From 2016 to 2026, she practiced with Franciscan Health and Specialty Physicians of Illinois, providing comprehensive primary care for a diverse patient panel and managing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. From 2021 to 2022, she also practiced at Chicagoland Infectious Disease, continuing infectious disease as a clinical specialty and area of interest moving forward.
Throughout her clinical career, Dr. Branch has remained deeply connected to her community — volunteering at health fairs, participating in school physical programs, and advocating for accessible, high-quality care for underserved populations in the South Suburbs of Illinois.
She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Rush University, with a specialized focus on Population Health and Sleep Disorders, and a Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner training from Olivet Nazarene University. She is dually board certified through both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Dr. Branch founded Branch Family Medicine & Wellness with a clear purpose: to offer patients something that’s increasingly rare — a provider who knows their name, remembers their story, and is genuinely invested in their long-term health.
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Population Health & Sleep Disorders — Rush University
Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner — Olivet Nazarene University
Board Certifications
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) — American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) — American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Clinical Experience
10+ years as a Family Nurse Practitioner in primary care
Registered Nurse & Leadership Manager, Medical-Surgical/Stroke Unit — Ingalls Hospital (2008–2016)
Primary Care — Franciscan Health / Specialty Physicians of Illinois (2016–2026)
Infectious Disease — Chicagoland Infectious Disease (2021–2022)
Rooted in the Community
Dr. Branch’s commitment to health extends well beyond the clinic.
She has volunteered at community health fairs, school physical programs, and wellness events across the South Suburban Illinois communities she calls home. She is passionate about making quality healthcare accessible to everyone — and building the kind of trust that keeps communities healthier over time.
CPR & Emergency Response Training
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Branch offers CPR and emergency response training for healthcare professionals, workplace teams, community organizations, and individuals. Available courses include:
- Healthcare Provider BLS Certification
- Heartsaver CPR/AED
- First Aid Training
- Group & Workplace Training
- Community Classes
- Certification & Recertification Courses
Join Our Practice
We are currently welcoming new patients age 13 and older. We’d love to be your healthcare partner.