New documents reveal the troubling connections between elite medical professionals and Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. A plastic surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital reportedly treated a young woman with a head injury, applying 35 stitches in Epstein’s dining room. An internist from West Palm Beach conducted blood tests for another woman and disclosed abnormal results to Epstein. A dentist at Columbia University inquired how many dental procedures Epstein would authorize for a “girl” with severe dental decay. These healthcare providers formed a close-knit group, loyal and rewarded by Epstein, who frequently sought their expertise for his own ailments, including back pain and cholesterol issues.
documents released by the government in January indicate that Epstein exploited his medical team to manipulate young foreign women with whom he had sexual relations. He instructed these women to undergo pelvic examinations, liposuction, and mole removals, covering a wide range of specialized treatments, from $800-per-hour psychiatric therapy to root canals. At times, he abruptly halted medical care for these women, such as when one assistant submitted a request for $600 to renew acne medication, to which Epstein responded simply, “Ignore.”
While it may not be surprising that someone with Epstein’s wealth and elite connections received high-quality medical care, the documents suggest that some medical professionals violated or failed to adhere to ethical standards. For instance, one physician reportedly referred Epstein’s sexual partners to other institutions for gonorrhea treatment to avoid linking them to him in health department reports. Others allegedly shared private medical information about their patients with Epstein, leading at least one woman to express discomfort, stating, “Everyone you pay directly keeps you well-informed about my ‘treatments.'” Epstein dismissed her concerns, assuring her, “They make sure I am satisfied.”
Connections to Mount Sinai
Epstein donated over $375,000 to Mount Sinai, a significant portion of which funded a breast cancer center founded by Dr. Eva Andersson Dubin, who had a long-standing relationship with him. Dubin became a liaison between Epstein and Mount Sinai, helping connect him, his friends, and women in his circle with medical professionals. She also arranged positions there for at least two young women at Epstein’s request.
A representative for Dr. Dubin stated that throughout her career, she had referred hundreds of friends and acquaintances to colleagues, emphasizing that each referral was made in good faith without knowledge of any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for Mount Sinai confirmed that the hospital has established a committee to investigate its ties to Epstein, stating, “We will take all necessary measures.”
Ethical Concerns and Medical Practices
The New York Times reviewed over 15,000 documents from Epstein’s archives, including texts, emails, lab results, and financial records, revealing interactions between Epstein and more than a dozen doctors between 2009 and 2019. While the names of the women involved are mostly redacted, the Times managed to contact several who could be identified.
Among the closest to Epstein was Dr. Eva Andersson Dubin, founder of the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai. A former Miss Sweden, she dated Epstein while studying medicine and remained a confidante even after marrying billionaire Glenn Dubin. Over the years, Epstein frequently reached out to Dubin for various medical requests.
In 2012, a young Russian woman consulted Epstein about sexual relations with another man, asking if he would mind if they used a condom. Epstein instructed her to see a gynecologist, promising that Dubin would handle the referral. Following this, Dubin facilitated the young woman’s connection to two medical professionals.
Concerns About Medical Oversight
In one alarming instance, Epstein contacted Dubin to report that the young Russian woman had sustained a head injury from an ATV accident and required urgent care. Dubin arranged for Dr. Jess Ting, a plastic surgeon at Mount Sinai, to attend to her. The following day, Epstein informed an assistant that Dr. Ting had stitched the woman while she lay in Epstein’s dining room.
Medical ethics expert Dr. Margaret Moon from Johns Hopkins University remarked that the decision to treat the woman in Epstein’s home rather than an emergency room was troubling, suggesting it was made for the benefit of Epstein rather than the patient. “It’s very difficult to justify,” she stated.
Months later, Dr. Ting received a $50,000 donation from Epstein for cancer research. He also made several house calls for Epstein, including advising a woman on a rhinoplasty and performing a procedure to remove a cyst from Epstein’s shoulder.
Despite these allegations, Dr. Ting asserted that he was unaware of any illegal activity during his treatment of patients referred by Epstein. He expressed regret for any association with Epstein, characterizing him as representing “the worst of human nature.”
Implications of Epstein’s Medical Network
Epstein’s influence extended to other medical professionals, including his longtime physician, Dr. Bruce Moskowitz, who he described as “the internist of the world’s rich.” During Epstein’s travels with young women, he often sought Moskowitz’s guidance for quick referrals to gynecologists across various countries.
In 2018, Moskowitz facilitated treatment for Epstein and two women suffering from gonorrhea. He suggested they receive injections at a nearby urgent care facility to avoid reporting their cases to health authorities. When Epstein inquired if the women had disclosed the source of their infections, Moskowitz reported they had claimed a “friend abroad.”
Between 2014 and 2017, Epstein contributed at least $225,000 to funds linked to Moskowitz and his wife. Despite revelations about Epstein’s history of abuse, Moskowitz continued his association with him, even expressing concern about media scrutiny directed at Epstein.
Given the documented connections and questionable medical practices involved, the focus now shifts to how institutions like Mount Sinai will address these findings and ensure adherence to ethical standards in medical care.
As investigations unfold, it remains crucial for the medical community to scrutinize the implications of Epstein’s extensive network and the potential ethical breaches committed by professionals who associated with him. Comments and discussions on these matters are encouraged to enhance public awareness and accountability.
