About
Dr. Karen Gardner built her medical career on a foundation few physicians share. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Vermont before working as a hospital clinical dietitian. She then pursued medicine to expand her ability to help patients improve their health, earning her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993. She completed her internship at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, University Medical Center in Stratford, NJ, then finished her Internal Medicine residency at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA in 1997. She has served as a partner and physician at Clarke & Gardner Internal Medicine Associates since 2000.
Dr. Gardner holds board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and maintains active credentials as a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is passionate about coaching patients on prevention and lifestyle modification rather than simply managing disease after it develops. She founded the Gardner Health and Wellness Initiative at the Chapen Haven Schleifer Center in New Haven, Connecticut. Her hospital affiliation with Lankenau Medical Center supports seamless care for her patients. Outside of medicine, she enjoys biking, classical music, gardening, and reading.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT - Bachelor of Science, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 1983
Medical School
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, 1993
Residency
Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA - Internal Medicine, 1994-1997
Additional Training
Internship: Kennedy Memorial Hospital, University Medical Center, Stratford, NJ, 1993-1994
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Gardner right for?
Dr. Gardner is a strong fit for adults who want prevention at the center of their care. Patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or metabolic disease benefit from her combined clinical and nutrition expertise. She works well with patients who want a physician engaged in lifestyle modification, not just medication management. Anyone seeking a doctor who integrates evidence-based nutrition into clinical care will find her approach distinctive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Karen Gardner holds dual credentials that few internists carry. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a credentialed Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She worked as a hospital clinical dietitian before earning her medical degree. That combination allows her to address chronic disease through both clinical treatment and evidence-based nutrition.
Dr. Gardner treats a wide range of internal medicine conditions, with particular focus on chronic disease management and preventive care. She regularly works with patients managing diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic concerns. Her nutrition background also allows her to integrate dietary strategies directly into treatment plans.
Yes. Dr. Gardner holds board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. She also maintains active credentials as a Registered Dietitian through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dr. Gardner earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993. She completed her internship at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, University Medical Center in Stratford, NJ. She then finished her Internal Medicine residency at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, PA in 1997.
Dr. Gardner believes prevention is the most effective path through chronic disease. She counsels patients on lifestyle modifications and evidence-based treatments alongside clinical care. Rather than managing disease after it develops, she focuses on coaching patients toward sustainable habits that reduce long-term health risk.
Yes. Nutrition counseling is a core part of how Dr. Gardner practices. Her background as a Registered Dietitian informs her clinical approach. She integrates dietary guidance directly into treatment plans for patients managing chronic conditions or working toward preventive health goals.
Dr. Gardner holds an affiliation with Lankenau Medical Center. That relationship supports seamless care for her patients when hospital-level services are needed.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026