Prominent Gastroenterologist Faces Multiple Charges of Sexual Abuse and Rape in New York

A well-known gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, has been arraigned on charges of sexually abusing three of his patients at the hospital and raping three other women, some of whom he met on dating apps, in his Queens apartment. According to the Associated Press, this disturbing case has stunned the medical community.

Dr. Cheng, 33, was terminated from his position at the hospital in December 2022 following his arrest for allegedly raping a woman at his apartment. It was the victim who bravely uncovered numerous videos of Dr. Cheng abusing other women while in his home, which led to the attention of law enforcement. During their investigation, authorities discovered various forms of liquid anesthesia, cocaine, ecstasy, and incriminating videos depicting Dr. Cheng sexually assaulting multiple patients. Court documents revealed that all the patients abused and filmed by Cheng appeared to be unconscious and sedated under anesthesia.

The alleged assaults occurred between 2021 and 2022. In 2021, a 19-year-old patient reported that Dr. Cheng injected her with a substance causing her to fall asleep before sexually violating her while she was unconscious. After an initial investigation by the hospital, which included reviewing surveillance footage and identifying Dr. Cheng as a suspect, NewYork-Presbyterian failed to inform the victim of the assault, neglected to test or treat her for the drugs she was given, and refused to involve the police. Dr. Cheng remained employed at the hospital until December.

“This case paints the picture of a sexual predator of the absolute worst kind, a serial rapist,” stated Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz during a press release. “We will present the evidence to a jury and seek justice for the victims of these horrific assaults captured on video.”

A spokesperson for the NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system expressed deep concern, stating that Dr. Cheng’s behavior betrayed their mission and the trust of their patients. Unfortunately, this case follows another troubling incident involving a gynecologist at the same institution, who abused more than 245 women over two decades and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June.

The charges against Dr. Cheng are part of a larger pattern of medical professionals involved in sexual abuse. Other cases include a Colorado doctor accused of filming his medical exams on patients in 2019, a plastic surgeon in California facing similar charges in 2012, and a California doctor who installed hidden cameras in his practice last summer.

Sexual abuse within the medical system continues to be an ongoing issue. Data from the U.S. National Practitioner Data Bank indicates that between 2003 and 2013, 862 physicians faced state licensing disciplinary actions due to 974 cases of sexual misconduct. Almost 10% of physicians admit to engaging in some form of sexual contact with patients, a behavior considered deeply problematic due to the inherent power dynamics in doctor-patient relationships.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz refrained from commenting on the specific details of each allegation against Dr. Cheng but acknowledged the traumatic nature of the case.

As this case develops, the spotlight remains on the importance of safeguarding patient well-being and trust within the medical community.