The Tragic Downfall: 5 Key Facts About Zhi Alan Cheng MD And The New York-Presbyterian Case

The case of Zhi Alan Cheng, M.D., a former New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital gastroenterologist, remains one of the most shocking and high-profile medical misconduct cases in recent memory. As of today, December 12, 2025, the focus has shifted from the initial arrest and shocking allegations to the final, definitive legal outcome and the subsequent implications for patient safety and hospital oversight. The physician, once a respected figure in the New York medical community, is now serving a significant prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse and rape. The details of his crimes, which involved drugging and assaulting vulnerable women, including patients, have been widely reported, cementing his name in public discourse as a symbol of profound professional betrayal.

The latest updates confirm the finality of the criminal proceedings and the ongoing impact on victims and their pursuit of justice through civil litigation. This article compiles the essential, verified facts about Dr. Cheng's professional life, the timeline of the criminal case, and the ultimate legal resolution, providing a clear and comprehensive overview of the events that led to his dramatic fall from grace.

Zhi Alan Cheng MD: Biographical Profile and Professional Background

Zhi Alan Cheng, M.D., was a practicing physician whose career was centered in the New York City area before his arrest. His professional life was characterized by a focus on the specialized field of gastroenterology, a discipline centered on the digestive system. The following provides a concise summary of his known professional and personal details:

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• Full Name: Zhi Alan Cheng, M.D.
• Age: 35 years old at the time of his sentencing.
• Specialty: Gastroenterology.
• Former Primary Affiliation: NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
• Former Practice Location: Flushing, Queens, New York.
• Professional Status: His medical license is no longer active due to the criminal conviction and subsequent legal actions by the New York State Department of Health.
• NPI Number: 1487000600 (National Provider Identifier).
• Education/Training: Dr. Cheng completed his medical training and was board-certified, though specific details of his medical school, residency, and fellowship programs are not consistently available in public records following the scandal. His professional life was established in the New York medical system.

The Five Definitive Facts of the Zhi Alan Cheng MD Criminal Case

The legal proceedings against Dr. Cheng were extensive and culminated in a guilty plea that brought the high-profile case to a close. These five facts summarize the most critical and verified aspects of the criminal investigation and sentencing, which serve as the most current information available regarding the former physician.

1. Initial Arrest and Scope of Charges

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng was first arrested in December 2022. The initial charge stemmed from the drugging and rape of a woman at his Queens apartment. However, the investigation quickly expanded as more victims came forward, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. The Queens District Attorney's office, led by Melinda Katz, eventually charged him with sexually assaulting or raping a total of eight women, including patients he had exploited both at his home and, in some instances, within the hospital environment of NewYork-Presbyterian Queens.

2. The Nature of the Crimes: Drugging and Filming

The disturbing and consistent element across the multiple accusations was the calculated method of assault. Dr. Cheng was accused of—and later admitted to—drugging his victims to render them unconscious or incapacitated before sexually assaulting them. Furthermore, a critical piece of evidence in the case was his acknowledgment of filming these assaults without the victims' consent, which added charges related to unlawful surveillance and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

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3. The Guilty Plea and Conviction

In a major development, Dr. Cheng ultimately pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges. This plea included several counts of Rape in the First Degree, Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. By pleading guilty, he avoided a lengthy trial, but the admission of guilt provided definitive closure on the criminal aspect of the case. The plea agreement was a direct acknowledgment of his actions against the eight victims identified by the prosecution.

4. The Final Sentencing: 24 Years in State Prison

The most current and definitive outcome of the case is the sentencing handed down by the Queens County Supreme Court. In a ruling that reflected the severity and predatory nature of his crimes, Zhi Alan Cheng was sentenced to a term of 24 years in state prison. This sentence was a consequence of his guilty plea to the multiple felony charges, ensuring that he will serve a substantial period of time incarcerated for the sexual exploitation and assault of his victims.

5. Ongoing Civil Lawsuits and Institutional Accountability

While the criminal case is concluded, the legal fallout continues in the civil arena. Numerous victims have filed civil lawsuits against Dr. Cheng and, significantly, against NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. These civil actions allege that the hospital may have been negligent in its oversight, hiring, or supervision, potentially allowing the physician to continue his predatory behavior. Settlements, including a reported $19.5 million settlement in a separate, decades-old New Jersey case that was brought up in context, highlight the serious financial and institutional accountability issues raised by these sexual abuse claims.

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The Impact on Patient Trust and Medical Oversight

The case of Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng has had a profound and lasting impact on the medical community, particularly concerning the critical issue of patient-physician trust. The fact that a physician, a professional entrusted with the most intimate aspects of patient care, used his position to exploit and harm vulnerable individuals has led to intense scrutiny of hospital policies and reporting mechanisms.

The revelations have spurred necessary conversations about institutional accountability. Hospitals like NewYork-Presbyterian Queens face intense pressure to demonstrate that they have robust safeguards in place to prevent such egregious misconduct. The civil litigation process, separate from the criminal conviction, is specifically designed to address whether the institution failed in its duty to protect patients and employees from a known or foreseeable risk. The entities involved, including the New York State Department of Health and various victims' rights lawyers, continue to work on systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The legacy of this case is one of caution, underscoring the necessity of zero-tolerance policies and vigilant oversight within all healthcare settings.