New York-Presbyterian, Columbia reach $165M deal with sexual abuse victims of ex-OB/GYN Robert Hadden

New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center will distribute just over $165 million to 147 past patients who reported sexual abuse or misconduct at the hands of former gynecologist Robert Hadden.

The agreement, which was announced Friday, comes on top of a $71.5 million settlement reached last December with an initial group of 79 of Hadden’s past patients. An independent special master will be in charge of distributing the new $165 million compensation fund.

Between the two agreements, the two health care organizations are on the hook for about $237 million in payments to Hadden's former patients.

Hadden pleaded guilty to state sex-crime charges in 2016. The deal required him to surrender his medical license but allowed him to avoid prison time.

He is still awaiting trial in federal court on eight criminal counts of bringing women across state lines for the purpose of sexual abuse.

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“We deeply regret the pain that Robert Hadden’s patients suffered and hope that these resolutions will provide some measure of support for the women he hurt,” Columbia University Irving Medical Center said in a statement. “All those who came forward should be commended.”

Hadden is accused of sexually abusing patients, including minors, over the course of roughly two decades, taking advantage of his position to make them believe his actions were appropriate and medically necessary.

He worked at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia until 2012.

This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain's New York Business.