Branchlands is proud to welcome two exceptional medical practitioners to our community: Marisa Christensen, M.D as Medical Director and Jenny Furlow, NP-C as in-house Nurse Practitioner.
Medical Director, Marisa Christensen, M.D.
As Linden House’s Medical Director, Dr. Christensen will focus on sustaining a high caliber of service to Branchlands residents. She will oversee healthcare policies, legal compliance, emergency procedures, and quality assurance. She will also have a role in staff development, providing education on medical topics, particularly preventive care, chronic disease management, geriatric syndromes such as falls and incontinence, and dementia evaluation and management.
Dr. Christensen honors patients as individuals and understands how important trust and open communications are to quality care. Her responsibilities will include developing and reviewing individualized service plans (ISP). “Each resident is unique,” says Dr. Christensen, “and I strive to understand each individual’s health needs and goals. It is a calling, as well as a special privilege to practice medicine, one which can only be done with both mind and soul.” With weekly onsite visits, Dr. Christensen will become a familiar face to residents.
Background and Qualifications
A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Christensen completed her post-doctoral training at Duke University in 2005. She is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Geriatrics. She has served in private practice, as a primary care physician with UVA Physicians Group, and as Medical Director for senior communities. In 2015, she was awarded the Charlottesville/Shenandoah Valley ‘Best Bedside Manner’ Award in Geriatric Medicine from Our Health Magazine.
When not tending to the care of her patients, Dr. Christensen enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Neil and children Sophia and Dylan, and running with her German Shepherd Stella Blue.
Nurse Practitioner, Jenny Furlow, NP-C
With Nurse Practitioner Jenny Furlow on site, Branchlands residents can conveniently access healthcare services from the comfort of home. “Wellness is a process, not an outcome,” she says. “By providing in-house care, I can get to know residents and their ongoing health care needs.” Residents may turn to Jenny as their primary care provider or they may ask her to collaborate with their existing provider. Either way, her goal is to make sure that care is easily accessible, responsive, and consistent.
Background and Qualifications
Jenny brings many years of experience and expertise in geriatric chronic care, dementia management, and psychiatric illnesses. Since 2012, she has provided advanced medical care at Martha Jefferson Hospital and as the Medical Director of English Meadows Senior Living for the Crozet, Louisa, and Culpeper campuses. In addition, Jenny is the owner and Laboratory Director for Health and Wellness Medical Services, LLC., a service offering house calls with mobile lab capabilities.
A Virginia native, married to a State Forester, and mother to a kindergartener, Jenny graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science in Nursing from James Madison University. She holds American Association of Nurse Practitioner Certification, Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, and is licensed as a Nurse Practitioner for autonomous practice by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently, Jenny is pursuing certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
Contact Information
Residents can let the Branchlands team know that they would like to see Jenny. She can also be reached directly at 434-933-3318 or by email at healthandwellnessmedical@gmail.com. Most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the cost of services.
