NEW YORK — Two New York hospitals have agreed to pay more than $165 million to 147 former patients who accused a former gynecologist of sexual assault and misconduct.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian announced the agreement Friday. Last year, the two hospitals reached a $71 million settlement with Hadden’s 79 former patients.
Dr. Robert Hadden surrendered his medical license after he was convicted in 2016 in state court of sexual assault charges but was not sentenced to prison time. He is currently awaiting trial on separate federal charges of sexually assaulting dozens of young and unsuspecting female patients over more than two decades.
The Englewood, New Jersey, resident pleaded not guilty to six counts of soliciting others to travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual acts. A message was left Friday with the attorney representing Haden.
Prosecutors called Hadden a “predator in a white coat,” accusing him of targeting young and unsuspecting victims, including a young girl he fathered at birth.
Among Haden’s accusers was Evelyn Young, wife of former presidential candidate and New York mayoral candidate Andrew Young. In 2020, she went public with allegations that Hadden raped her while she was his patient in 2012.
In a statement Friday, Columbia University Irving Medical Center said, “We are deeply sorry for the pain that Robert Hadden’s patients have endured, and we hope that these resolutions will provide some support to the women he has hurt. We should thank everyone who spoke.”
Hadden’s accuser Marissa Hochstetter, who was not involved in Friday’s settlement, said in an email that the New York State Adult Survivors Act, signed by Democratic Gov. Cathy Hochul in May, offers a path for what she called “countless number of other Hadden survivors.” The law opened a one-year window for sexual-assault lawsuits that would otherwise be time-barred under the law.
“We’re not done paying for Hadden’s actions and covering up the facility,” she said.
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