Kristin G. Fless, MD

Chair, Department of Medicine, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Medical Director, Respiratory Services and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School

Dr. Fless graduated from Rutgers University and The University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ-NJMS). She completed her internal medicine residency and pulmonary/critical care fellowship at UMDNJ-NJMS. She obtained training and board certification in sleep medicine and advanced training in bronchoscopy. She holds an appointment as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Rutgers NJMS and is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

Dr. Fless joined CBMC in 2007 in the Critical Care Division. In addition to her role as Director of Neurocritical Care, she practices pulmonary and sleep medicine. She served as the Division Director for Pulmonary Medicine and the Director of Interventional Pulmonology from 2011-2021. In 2014, her leadership skills as part of the CMBC’s Lung Cancer Institute, were recognized by the American Cancer Society at the 35th Annual Diamond Ball where she was named an Honoree.

Her passion includes collaborative patient care and ensuring excellent clinical quality and compassionate caregiving. Dr. Fless, who mentors student/resident physicians and respiratory therapists, has been heralded for her teaching prowess, including receiving the CBMC Distinguished Educator Award (2009) and the Golden Apple Harvey E. Nussbaum Award (2020). Dr. Fless received the Physician Excellence in Health Care Award by the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Staff and Physician Collaborative Committee (2017). She has been the physician leader for The Schwartz Center Rounds fostering compassionate caregiving at CBMC for over 10 years.