Mrs. Lesley Fein, MD, MPH

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Get to know Rheumatologist Dr. Lesley Fein, who serves patients in West Caldwell, New Jersey.

A highly trained rheumatologist, Dr. Fein has become one of leading doctors in the country for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, bartonella, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and other infection related chronic illnesses. Since 1984, her mission has been to explore the relationship between infectious and auto-immune diseases.

With a broad educational background, she received a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors at the University of the Witwatersrand, and earned her Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Columbia University. She then went on to graduate with her medical degree from the George Washington University Medical School, and completed her residency in internal medicine at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Finally, she completed her fellowship in rheumatology at New York University.

As for her academic appointments, Dr. Fein has taught epidemiology to medical and public health students at Columbia University and Mt. Sinai Hospital. She currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Since 1993, the doctor has had more than 14 public speaking roles at major medical conferences. She has been a member of the National Lyme Caucus (drafted legislation to create a national committee for Lyme), the National Health Legislation Task Force, and an Advisor to the Lyme Disease Foundation. 

In 2008, she was the Master of Ceremonies at a landmark conference bringing together practitioners treating Lyme Disease as well as those treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for the first time. She is both an experienced researcher, through grants from Hoechst labs as well as Pfizer pharmaceuticals, and a seasoned public speaker.

Back in South Africa, Dr. Fein was one of 4 students in the 1970’s to open a clinic (called The Muldersdrift Clinic) for farm laborers near Johannesburg. That area was identified as having the highest infant mortality rate in the Johannesburg area. They provided free vaccines, education about nutrition in their native tongue by nurses they picked up at the train station, diagnosis and treatment with a fully functioning pharmacy and contraceptives to females. They also worked with the local witch doctors to reach an alliance. 

When she left South Africa in 1977, the clinic had 10,000 patients, and the area had the lowest infant mortality rate due to their work. That clinic was kept alive by the nurses and is now a huge part of the medical school in Johannesburg.

Rheumatology is a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. Physicians who have undergone formal training in rheumatology are called rheumatologists. Rheumatologists treat arthritis, autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis.

As a testament to her success, Dr. Fein has been the recipient of the Patients’ Choice Award (2011, 2009, 2008), and Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2009). She was also elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society at George Washington University, and received an award for academic excellence by the American Medical Women’s Association when she graduated from cum laude. She was nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the NJ Senate to serve on the Medical Practitioner Review Panel.

On a more personal note, she attributes her success to her intense interest in her field, motivation, and research. In her free time, she enjoys working out, painting, music, and playing tennis. Her favorite places to vacation include South Africa, California, Europe, South America, and Jamaica.

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