About
Elizabeth A. Gernhardt, DO brings over 25 years of osteopathic family medicine experience to patients in Forty Fort, PA. Her path to medicine began as a patient herself, an experience that shaped her commitment to individualized, personal care. She earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1997. Her undergraduate education took place at the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA.
Dr. Gernhardt completed both her internship and Family Medicine residency at The Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program in Kingston, PA between 1997 and 2000. She holds board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine and holds a Pennsylvania medical license. She subscribes to the osteopathic principle of interrelation between body structure and function. Her clinical approach combines medication, preventive care, lifestyle wellness, and physical manipulation to address root causes. Dr. Gernhardt has served in leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medicine Association District 4 as Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. She also serves as a Voting Delegate for the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates. Outside of medicine, she fosters rescue dogs for One Life to Live Pet Rescue, volunteers at St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, and supports her community through food bank work and local theater events.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
Medical School
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency
Family Medicine, The Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program, Kingston, PA (1998-2000)
Additional Training
Internship: The Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program, Kingston, PA (1997-1998)
Certifications
Who is Dr. Gernhardt right for?
Dr. Gernhardt is a strong fit for adults seeking a primary care physician who addresses root causes, not just symptoms. Patients managing chronic conditions benefit from her preventive focus and individualized care plans. She is well suited for those who value a long-term physician relationship built on trust and open communication. Her osteopathic training makes her a good match for patients who want physical manipulation as part of their care. Adults throughout the Forty Fort area who want same- and next-day access to their own physician will find her practice a natural fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Gernhardt practices full-scope family medicine and treats a broad range of acute and chronic conditions. Her clinical focus includes preventive care, chronic disease management, and lifestyle wellness. She also incorporates physical manipulation into care when appropriate, drawing on her osteopathic training.
Yes. Dr. Gernhardt holds board certification from the American Board of Family Medicine. She earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training at The Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program in Kingston, PA.
Dr. Gernhardt applies the osteopathic principle that body structure and function influence each other. She may prescribe medication but also uses preventive care strategies, lifestyle wellness guidelines, and physical manipulation to address the underlying causes of a problem. She builds individualized care plans around each patient's specific needs and goals.
Dr. Gernhardt has provided patient care in Forty Fort, PA and the surrounding communities for over 25 years. She completed her internship and Family Medicine residency in Kingston, PA and has built her career in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gernhardt's decision to pursue medicine grew from her own experiences as a patient. Those experiences gave her a clear goal: prioritize individualized, personal care in every patient relationship.
Yes. Dr. Gernhardt incorporates physical manipulation as one of her treatment tools. As an osteopathic physician, she draws on the principle of interrelation between body structure and function. This approach allows her to address underlying causes rather than only managing symptoms.
Dr. Gernhardt has served in multiple leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medicine Association District 4, including Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. She also serves as a Voting Delegate for the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates. In 2024, she delivered a lecture on Internet Safety and Medical Concerns at the District 4 Winter Symposium.
Doctor profile last updated June 6, 2026