Provider Spotlight | Karen Gottlieb, MD (formerly Dr. Schirm)

Published on: 12 September, 2025

Read Time: 4 min

By: Advantia Health

Dr. Karen Gottlieb is an OBGYN with Reiter, Hill & Johnson of Advantia and is currently practicing at the Chevy Chase, Falls Church, and Washington, D.C. locations. Having grown up in McLean, Virginia, Dr. Gottlieb looks forward to the opportunity to continue her healthcare work in the DMV.

To her new role, Dr. Gottlieb brings both educational and clinical experience, from her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine to the clinical trials research she performed on the RSV vaccine at the National Institutes of Health. She also served as Chief Administrative Resident in her fourth year of residency at Medstar Washington Hospital Center-Georgetown University Hospital.

Today, Dr. Gottlieb prides herself on providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for women throughout all stages of life. Educating her patients on preventative care is particularly important to her, and she hopes to empower women with the knowledge to make informed health decisions.

What led you to become an OBGYN?

Like many who choose the field of OBGYN, I was drawn to the specialty by a combination of personal passion, a desire to make a meaningful impact, and the unique challenges the field presents. I enjoy the opportunity to support women throughout their reproductive health journeys, from adolescence through menopause. I love that I get to build long-term relationships with patients, fostering trust and communication.

I particularly enjoy the experience of guiding patients through significant life events such as pregnancy and childbirth. The ability to witness and assist in bringing new life into the world can be incredibly fulfilling overall. The combination of patient care through major life events, long-term patient relationships, and a commitment to improving women’s health made obstetrics and gynecology deeply rewarding, and is why I chose this profession.

What women’s care do you specialize in?

I am an OBGYN generalist, so my days vary from seeing both OB and Gyn patients in-clinic for new and routine OB visits, contraceptive counseling, abnormal uterine bleeding, and numerous other issues. I also have days being on-call at the hospital, delivering babies, and caring for recently delivered moms, as well as days that I’m operating at the hospital. So I do it all when it comes to OBGYN.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Growing up, I went through different phases in terms of what I wanted to be. At one point, I think it was in my elementary school yearbook, I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer specializing in my stroke, which was breaststroke. At another point, I wanted to be a teacher because I loved my summer job of four years—I was coaching kids in swimming. And then briefly, I wanted to be a lawyer like my mom. But then I landed on healthcare and never turned back.

Who is the biggest influence on your life?

My childhood hero and the person I looked up to the most when I was growing up was my grandma. She lived through various hardships growing up during the Great Depression in Iowa, when she wore feed sack dresses. She never went to college, but excelled in all the classes and skills that she learned. She came over every day to help care for me and my twin sister, starting when we were six months old, and continued until we were in high school. She played school with us, took us to our many sporting practices and competitions, made us delicious home-cooked meals, and showed so much love and compassion.

Book an Appointment Today!

Dr. Karen Gottlieb is currently accepting new patients at Reiter, Hill & Johnson of Advantia in Chevy Chase, Falls Church, and Washington, D.C. To meet with an OBGYN and discuss your women’s health needs, book an appointment with her today!