RIAO Dr. Erica Gaertner | LifeBridge Health

Dr. Erica Gaertner

About

Erica Gaertner, M.D., is a primary care sports medicine physician with experience in internal medicine in addition to specialization as a sports medicine practitioner. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Gaertner grew up in the Baltimore area, and prior to attending medical school she competed as a professional equestrian and understands the needs of elite athletes. In 2022, she was appointed as the first-ever medical director of the National Steeplechase Association to be a central liaison for rider health and safety. Dr. Gaertner previously worked with several collegiate and professional sports teams, serving as a physician for the University of Pennsylvania, the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

Philosophy of Care

Dr. Gaertner believes in conservative management for sports injuries whenever possible. She works to get athletes back to their sport—whether they are a weekend warrior or a pro athlete.

Education

Medical Education: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Internship: Hahnemann University Hospital Drexel College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Residency: MedStar Health Internal Medicine Residency, Baltimore, MD
Fellowship: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Areas of Interest

Dr. Gaertner’s area of interest is any athletic injury in both the pediatric and adult population. In addition to musculoskeletal injuries, she also sees athletes with concussions. She has a special interest in equestrian athletes and enjoys getting them back on the horse.

Conditions Treated

Sprains
Pediatric injuries
Growth plate injuries
Fractures
Arthritis
Joint pain
Tendonitis
Concussion

Treatments Performed

Steroid injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
Viscosupplementation

More Information

Dr. Gaertner was a professional equestrian prior to attending medical school. She currently spends most of her free time coaching the Greenspring Hounds Pony Club as well as riding and competing her horse All the Way Jose.

Memberships

Member of American Medical Society of Sports Medicine
Board Member for the Steeplechase Jockeys Association of America
Medical Director for the National Steeplechase Association

Locations

LifeBridge Health at Foundry Row 10084 Reisterstown Road, Suite 300-A
Owings Mills, MD 21117

Directions

Westminster 844 Washington Road, Suite 102
Westminster, MD 21157

Directions

Telemedicine video visits are also available.

Interviews

In this "Ask a Doc" WJZ-13 CBS Baltimore interview interview, Dr. Erica Gaertner discusses common sports injuries and ways to avoid them.

Dr. Erica Gaertner is interviewed in this WBAL-TV 11 News story on the important role mental health plays in athletes' performance during competition.

410-601-PLAY (7529)