The short version
- Glenn Dubin, a hedge fund founder and former vice-chair of Mount Sinai’s board, stepped down earlier this year, ending his tenure that began in 2007.
- The hospital has formed a committee to review its longstanding connections to Jeffrey Epstein, whose files reveal significant institutional involvement.
- Political pressure is mounting, with lawmakers calling for investigations into Wall Street figures associated with Epstein who held leadership roles at the medical center.
Mount Sinai Health System, one of New York City’s most prominent medical institutions, has seen a notable shift in its leadership composition following the departure of several board members with documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Glenn Dubin, a billionaire hedge fund founder and former vice-chair of the hospital’s board of trustees, stepped down earlier this year. His exit follows similar moves by his wife, Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin, who left the board of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These changes occur against a backdrop of intense public and political scrutiny regarding the hospital’s historical relationships with the late convicted sex trafficker.
The circumstances surrounding the Dubins’ departure remain somewhat opaque. Mount Sinai stated that their terms on the board of trustees concluded in the spring and that they did not seek re-election. Official records support this timeline; while the couple was listed as board members in materials for the hospital’s 40th-anniversary Crystal Party fundraiser in May 2025, their names were absent from the trustee list in the journal for the 41st annual event held in May 2026. The hospital has not confirmed whether a formal review of its Epstein-related ties influenced these decisions, nor has it released findings from an internal committee established earlier this year to examine those connections.
Glenn Dubin’s relationship with Epstein was well-documented prior to his departure. A 2019 report indicated that Dubin met Epstein through his wife and provided financial advice during their decades-long association. Epstein reportedly invested $10 million in Dubin’s hedge fund, Highbridge Capital Management, and the two continued to socialize in Palm Beach even after ending their professional partnership. At the time of those revelations, a spokesperson for the Dubins expressed horror at the allegations against Epstein, stating that the couple had mistakenly believed he had rehabilitated himself following his 2008 plea deal.
The hospital’s connection to Epstein extends beyond individual board members. Documents released by the Department of Justice highlight Mount Sinai’s prominent role in the Epstein files. One notable incident involved a Mount Sinai physician performing surgery on a young Russian woman inside Epstein’s Upper East Side townhouse after she was injured during a stay on his Caribbean island. These revelations have prompted the hospital to form a committee to review its longstanding ties to Epstein, although details regarding the scope and conclusions of this review remain undisclosed.
Political pressure has intensified recently, with lawmakers demanding greater accountability for Wall Street figures linked to Epstein. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky alleged on the House floor that Dubin was among fourteen individuals who should face investigation and potential prosecution as co-conspirators. Massie also named Leon Black, another billionaire tied to Epstein who served on Mount Sinai’s board from 2001 to 2012. Black has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and characterized the congressional scrutiny as a political witch hunt, though he was voted into contempt by Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas regarding nondisclosure agreements.
Leon Black’s tenure at Mount Sinai included significant financial contributions; he and his wife endowed a pediatrics chair in 2000 and established the Black Family Stem Cell Institute in 2005. He also served on the Icahn School of Medicine board until 2024. The presence of multiple high-profile donors with Epstein connections has complicated Mount Sinai’s efforts to distance itself from the controversy while maintaining its reputation as a top-tier medical provider.
Another figure connected to both Epstein and Mount Sinai is attorney Brad Karp, who has served on the hospital’s board since 2019. Karp resigned as chairman of the Paul, Weiss law firm earlier this year after emails revealed extensive personal and business communications with Epstein. While Paul, Weiss expressed regret over Karp’s interactions with Epstein, Karp remains a member of the Mount Sinai board. His continued presence underscores the complexity of disentangling institutional relationships from individual past associations.
The hospital has faced questions about whether its internal review is complete and if there is a direct link between that review and the departures of Dubin and others. Mount Sinai did not respond to inquiries regarding the status or findings of the Epstein-related committee. Similarly, a spokesperson for the Dubins declined to comment on their departure but reiterated that they would have severed ties immediately had they known the extent of Epstein’s conduct. The lack of transparency has fueled speculation about the depth of the hospital’s involvement and the motivations behind recent governance changes.
As Mount Sinai navigates this period of transition, the institution faces the challenge of balancing its commitment to medical excellence with the need for ethical clarity regarding its past associations. The departure of key board members signals a potential break from previous practices, but without detailed disclosures from the hospital or the individuals involved, the full extent of the institutional reckoning remains unclear. Future developments will likely depend on whether further investigations uncover additional connections or if the current leadership changes suffice to address public concerns.
The broader implications for healthcare governance are significant, as other institutions may face similar scrutiny regarding their ties to controversial figures. Mount Sinai’s experience highlights the difficulties of managing reputational risk when historical relationships intersect with modern ethical standards. Stakeholders, including donors, patients, and employees, will be watching closely to see how the hospital addresses these issues moving forward and whether additional measures are taken to ensure transparency and accountability in its leadership structure.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Epstein-linked billionaire Glenn Dubin stepped down from Mount Sinai board earlier this year
