Columbia U. Report Details Decades of Silence in OB-GYN Abuse Case

Columbia Ignored Decades of Doctor’s Sexual Abuse, Report Confirms

Decades after patients first warned Columbia University that one of its doctors sexually abused them, some university administrators have finally faced consequences. On Tuesday, Columbia released a long-awaited report that details a culture of silence that allowed OB-GYN Robert Hadden to abuse more than 1,000 patients during his nearly 25-year career at Columbia. The university also announced that two long-time administrators are leaving their positions.

Dr. Mary D’Alton, chair of the OB-GYN department and Hadden’s former boss, has stepped down, though will maintain her clinical practice. Dr. Lee Goldman, the former dean of the medical school, will retire. Both were administrators above Hadden and were copied on a 2012 letter that allowed Hadden to continue seeing patients even after his arrest following a patient’s report of assault.

Yesterday’s report was prompted by a ProPublica investigation that revealed how Columbia had dismissed women and ultimately protected a predator. Following the 2023 story, Columbia announced it would set up a $100 million fund for survivors and initiate an independent review. More than two years after the review was announced, the 156-page report was published days after the New York attorney general said it was investigating Columbia’s response to the Hadden case.

A Pattern of Silence and Institutional Failure

The report outlines how more than a dozen patients’ complaints went unaddressed, in part due to a lack of clear reporting procedures. Investigators found a “hierarchal institutional culture” where physicians were held in such high regard – described as “exalted” or “god-like” – that staff found it difficult to report concerns. This created an environment where allegations against Hadden were not taken seriously or thoroughly investigated.

Eva Santos Veloz, a patient who saw Hadden in 2008, reported that he touched her inappropriately during an emergency delivery. She and her mother filed a complaint, but no action was taken. Santos said the report confirms she was right all along, but doesn’t offer new information. “The only peace it gives me is that they are publicly saying, ‘We knew about this and we did nothing,’” she said.

The report details five specific complaints that were reported to leadership but resulted in no action against Hadden. Investigators noted that the university’s record-keeping was insufficient and that higher-ups failed to conduct a full investigation into his misconduct.

Administrators Respond, Survivors Remain Critical

In an internal email to the OB-GYN department, Dr. D’Alton announced she would remain on the faculty to “continue our department’s work of advancing women’s health.” She expressed sorrow for the suffering Hadden inflicted on his patients, stating that the acts committed by a doctor in her department “pains me deeply and always will.” A statement posted to the Columbia website echoed these sentiments but did not mention her continued employment.

Dr. Goldman said his “heart breaks for the victims of Robert Hadden” and emphasized the university’s focus on ethics and patient safety during his tenure.

The report also confirms that top university executives, including former Columbia President Lee Bollinger, were alerted to Hadden’s arrest the evening it occurred. Bollinger did not respond to a request for comment.

Columbia stated in a letter accompanying the report’s release that it remains “steadfast in our commitment to our ongoing responsibilities” and must “continue to operate with transparency and confront systemic failures when they occur.”

Beyond the Report: Questions of a Cover-Up

A group of survivors, including Marissa Hoechstetter and Evelyn Yang, criticized the report for not examining the years after Hadden left Columbia, including the university’s documented efforts to destroy evidence, fight former patients in court, and discredit survivors. They argue the report focuses too narrowly on the initial failures and doesn’t address the subsequent cover-up.

The survivors’ statement points out that Claire Shipman, the current acting president of the university, has been on the board of trustees since 2013, during the fallout from the Hadden case. She did not respond to a request for comment.

“What Columbia has released today offers the bare minimum accountability for failures that should have been addressed years ago,” the survivors’ statement said. “It confirms the systemic breakdown that allowed Hadden to operate. But it stops short of examining the cover-up culture that survivors experienced firsthand once the abuse came to light.”

Robert Hadden: A History of Abuse

Robert Hadden is an American former gynecologist and convicted sex offender. According to Wikipedia, Hadden was found liable of sexually assaulting hundreds of women who were his patients at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He began practicing as an obstetrician-gynecologist in 1991 and was an assistant professor until 2014. He was first accused of sexual assault in 2012 and was eventually sentenced to twenty years in prison on July 25, 2023.

Hadden allegedly began sexually assaulting patients in 1987, continuing for decades. He performed these assaults under the guise of medical examinations, leading victims to believe they were part of standard procedure. His victims included pregnant women and underage girls.

What Happens Next?

The deadline to submit a claim for compensation from Columbia’s survivor fund, established for former patients who do not wish to file a lawsuit, has been extended to June 15. The university has stated its commitment to transparency and addressing systemic failures, but survivors are calling for a more comprehensive investigation into the alleged cover-up that followed the initial reports of abuse. The New York attorney general’s investigation remains ongoing, and further legal or administrative action is possible.