Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Face Scrutiny Over Handling of Gynecologist Robert Hadden’s Abuse

Survivors of Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of patients at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, continue to demand accountability from the institutions they say enabled his decades-long abuse. Despite Hadden’s 2023 sentencing to 20 years in federal prison , questions remain about the systemic failures that allowed him to continue practicing for years and the adequacy of the response from Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian.

Years of Allegations and Delayed Justice

Accusations against Hadden began surfacing in 2012, leading to a guilty plea in state court in 2016 for abusing two women. Though, under former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Hadden avoided jail time . It wasn’t until 2023, with a federal conviction, that he received a significant prison sentence. Marissa Hoechstetter, one of the first to publicly accuse Hadden, highlights the years of legal battles fought by Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian to “bury, mislead and discredit” survivors .

Report Findings and Survivor Disappointment

A report commissioned by Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian, authored by Joan Loughnane of Sidley Austin LLP, examined the institutional failings that protected Hadden. The report, based on interviews with approximately 120 witnesses, found that the institutions’ prestige and hierarchical culture discouraged complaints and led to an “ad hoc” response to allegations . However, survivors and advocates criticize the report as too limited in scope, focusing solely on Hadden’s employment period and failing to address the subsequent years of alleged cover-ups.

Hoechstetter argues the investigation sidestepped accountability by not examining the university’s actions in the 14 years following Hadden’s removal, during which Columbia allegedly fought accusers and attempted to avoid blame .

Institutional Response and Leadership Changes

Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian have settled claims from over 1,000 women for approximately $1 billion . In response to the report, Columbia announced the departure of two high-ranking doctors: Dr. Mary D’Alton, chair of the obsterics and gynecology departments, and Dr. Lee Goldman, a former school dean and chief executive of the Medical Center . Both D’Alton and Goldman are stepping down from their leadership roles, with Goldman retiring. Survivors, however, view these changes as insufficient and long overdue, criticizing the timing and lack of genuine remorse expressed in the institutions’ statements .

Ongoing Investigations and Future Steps

The New York State Attorney General’s Office has launched its own investigation into Columbia’s handling of the allegations against Hadden . Survivors are hoping this investigation will delve deeper into the institutional response, suppression of information, and identify additional individuals who should be held accountable. Columbia has also established a $100 million settlement fund, extended until June 15, 2026 .

Robert Hadden, born in either 1958 or 1959, began practicing as an obstetrician-gynecologist in 1991 and was an assistant professor until 2014 . He was found liable of sexually assaulting hundreds of women between the late 1980s and 2012 .