Sharon Larsen, DNP, APN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner with Full Practice Authority (FPA) in Illinois. Her primary focus in both education and practice has always been the safety and well-being of her patients.

As a nurse practitioner with FPA, Sharon can evaluate patients and diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests independently of a physician. In addition, she can initiate and manage treatments for patients, including the prescribing of medication.

She opened CardinaLight Health and Wellness with a single purpose: to provide a different kind of primary care to her patients. The practice’s name, “CardinaLight,” is rooted in her family history. Many people believe that when a cardinal appears, this means an angel is nearby. She wanted to choose a name that honored the legacy her father left behind, and “CardinaLight” was born.

Sharon has always been passionate about the health of her patients. Not only does she deliver quality healthcare to her patients, but she also offers education by providing patients with the information they need to understand and improve their health.

Her relationships with her patients fuel her desire to expand her knowledge to provide current and complete care to her patients.

Before going into primary care, Sharon had a long and diverse career in other areas of the healthcare industry. She started in emergency services, was a firefighter/paramedic, and worked as an ER technician while in nursing school.

She graduated with her nursing degree in 1997. While working as a nurse in the Emergency Department and as a flight paramedic on Flight For Life, she continued her education. In 2001, she graduated Sigma Theta Tau with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University.

After working in the ER for 15 years, Sharon returned to school to further her career. In 2010, she graduated with high honors from Northern Illinois University, earning a Master of Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. That is when she turned her focus to primary care.

After seven years, she once again returned to school, achieving her highest educational goal. In 2017, Sharon graduated from Wilkes University with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Her focus was patient education post-discharge in patients with heart failure.

Community is significant to Sharon. She has lived in this community for her entire life and feels close ties to others. This is why her education and practice focus has always centered around the patients that she serves.

Sharon is honored to provide compassionate, high-quality primary care to patients in and around Crystal Lake.