Dr. Dorothy Loy-Gemmer

Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Dennis Loy and Dr. Beth Vanlandingham, graduated as valedictorian from University High School, in Johnson City, Tennessee.  She completed her pre-medical undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania.  At Penn., she developed an interest in medicine and research while working on genetics research with, Dr. Ian Krantz.

After earning a B.A. in Biochemistry at Penn., Elizabeth moved to Baltimore, Maryland to work as a research technician in, Dr. Luis Garza’s laboratory, studying wound healing.  In 2011, she returned to the University of Pennsylvania as a student in the MD/PhD program. She completed her PhD research on the evolutionary origins of human malaria parasites under the mentorship of, Dr. Beatrice Hahn.

She received her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in May 2020 and completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Colorado in 2023.  She is continuing her training in Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine at the University of Colorado.  She was awarded the Humanism & Excellence in Teaching award by the graduating medical students at the University of Colorado in 2023 and Fellow of the year in 2025.  She is continuing her research work studying respiratory tract infections with Dr. Sarah Clark.  Elizabeth, her husband Tom, and their son reside in Lone Tree, Colorado.