Robert C. Flowers, MD, MPH

As a pulmonary and critical care specialist, I am dedicated to delivering compassionate care across the full spectrum of lung disease.

I specialize in treating patients with complex respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis, nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, and tuberculosis (TB). My expertise extends to managing patients with acute respiratory failure and other life-threatening conditions in the NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn Medical Intensive Care Unit to treating patients with bronchiectasis, NTM disease, and TB in both the Bellevue Hospital outpatient clinic and the inpatient Chest Service.

My fascination with respiratory medicine began with an interest in how environmental factors and infections converge in the lungs. As an early-career investigator, I study the overlap between TB and NTM infections and examine how social and structural factors shape outcomes in patients with chronic lung disease. By integrating clinical medicine with public-health methods, I aim to advance equitable care for diverse and underserved communities. This approach allows me to address the unique challenges faced by each patient, providing personalized and effective treatment plans. This research is pivotal in developing strategies to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of respiratory medicine. My goal is to translate these findings into practical solutions that enhance patient care and wellbeing.

Whether addressing the social hurdles that influence a patient’s recovery, guiding them through months of antimycobacterial therapy, or stabilizing a patient who is critically ill on mechanical ventilation, I strive to blend scientific rigor with patient-centered care. It is a privilege to serve New Yorkers alongside dedicated colleagues at NYU Langone, and the lessons I learn from my patients continue to inform both my practice and my research each day.