People still can't believe it. When the news first broke about Zhi Alan Cheng, a gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens, the details felt more like a dark psychological thriller than a local news report. It wasn't just a single incident. It was a calculated, years-long pattern of abuse that has fundamentally shaken the public’s trust in medical institutions. Honestly, it makes you wonder how someone could operate in plain sight for so long without being caught.
He was a rising star. Or at least, that's how it looked from the outside. He had the credentials, the white coat, and the institutional backing of one of the most prestigious hospital systems in the country. But behind closed doors, a much more sinister reality was unfolding.
Who is Zhi Alan Cheng?
To understand the gravity of the situation, you have to look at his background. Zhi Alan Cheng was a fellow in gastroenterology. He worked at New York-Presbyterian Queens hospital in Flushing. His job involved performing sensitive medical procedures, often involving sedation. That is where the nightmare began for dozens of victims.
He didn't just stop at the hospital.
Authorities eventually discovered a massive trove of evidence on his personal devices. We are talking about videos. Hundreds of them. Many were filmed inside the hospital, while others were taken in his home or even in other countries like Thailand and Las Vegas. The sheer scale of the digital evidence is what eventually led to the 50-count indictment that currently hangs over his head. It’s heavy stuff.
The victims weren't just random patients. Some were women he was dating. Some were people he met through social circles. The common thread? He allegedly used his medical knowledge to incapacitate them.
The Breakdown of Hospital Oversight
How did this happen at New York-Presbyterian? That's the question everyone is asking.
Usually, hospitals have strict protocols. There are supposed to be "chaperones" in the room during sensitive exams. There are supposed to be audits of sedative medications. Yet, Zhi Alan Cheng allegedly managed to bypass these safeguards repeatedly.
The lawsuits filed against the hospital are scathing. They suggest that the institution failed in its basic duty of care. They argue that the hospital should have noticed the irregularities in how he handled patients or the amount of time he spent alone with sedated individuals.
👉 See also: Otay Ranch Fire Update: What Really Happened with the Border 2 Fire
Imagine being a patient. You go in for a routine procedure, trusting the "Best Hospital" badges on the wall. You're told you'll be asleep for a few minutes. Then, years later, a detective calls you to say you're on a video you never knew existed. It is a betrayal of the highest order.
The legal proceedings have highlighted a massive gap in how hospitals monitor staff who have access to powerful anesthetics. If a doctor wants to divert a drug like propofol or midazolam, they often find ways around the digital inventory systems.
The Global Reach of the Investigation
The investigation into Zhi Alan Cheng wasn't just a local New York story. It went international.
When the DA’s office started looking through his digital footprint, they found footage from across the globe. This wasn't a lapse in judgment. It was a lifestyle. Prosecutors have described it as a "predatory" mission that spanned continents.
- He allegedly filmed victims in hotel rooms.
- He used specialized equipment to record these acts.
- He kept meticulous records of his crimes.
It's terrifying to think about.
Many of the victims didn't even know they were victims until the police showed up at their doors. Because they were drugged with medical-grade sedatives, they had no memory of the events. The "blackout" was total. This is a specific kind of trauma—the trauma of a missing memory that is suddenly filled with a horrific reality.
The Legal Aftermath and Indictments
In 2023, the legal hammer finally dropped. A grand jury indicted Zhi Alan Cheng on dozens of counts, including predatory sexual assault and rape. If convicted, he faces multiple life sentences. He has pleaded not guilty, but the evidence gathered by the Queens District Attorney’s office is, by all accounts, overwhelming.
The Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz, has been vocal about the case. She called it one of the most "disturbing" investigations her office has ever handled.
✨ Don't miss: The Faces Leopard Eating Meme: Why People Still Love Watching Regret in Real Time
What the Victims are Saying
Through their lawyers, victims have expressed a mix of rage and profound sadness. One woman described the feeling of "losing her soul" after learning what had happened to her while she was unconscious. Another victim, a former girlfriend, spoke about how he used his medical expertise to gaslight her into thinking she was just "tired" or "sick" when she was actually being drugged.
How to Protect Yourself in a Medical Setting
You shouldn't have to be your own bodyguard in a hospital. But, unfortunately, this case shows that we have to be vigilant.
First off, always ask about the chaperone policy. Hospitals are generally required to have a third person (usually a nurse of the same gender as the patient) in the room during any sensitive examination. If you are being sedated, ask who will be in the room the entire time.
Check reviews, sure, but also look at the hospital's history with safety protocols.
If something feels off—if a doctor is being overly "helpful" with medication or wants to see you in a non-clinical setting—trust your gut. It sounds cliché, but in the case of Zhi Alan Cheng, many people felt a "vibe" that they ignored because of his status as a physician.
Moving Toward Real Systemic Change
This isn't just about one "bad apple." It's about a system that allows doctors to operate with too much autonomy and too little oversight.
State legislatures are now looking at "Cheng’s Law" type initiatives. These would mandate stricter recording and auditing of anesthesia in private or semi-private clinical settings. We need better tech. We need automated alerts when a doctor accesses sedatives outside of a scheduled surgical window.
The medical community is also grappling with the fallout. Medical boards are being pressured to be more transparent about prior complaints. Often, "problem" doctors are allowed to resign and move to a different state without their record following them. This "doctor shuffling" has to stop.
🔗 Read more: Whos Winning The Election Rn Polls: The January 2026 Reality Check
Practical Steps for Patients and Families
If you or a loved one are heading in for a procedure, here is what you actually need to do to stay safe.
Verify the Presence of a Chaperone
Before the sedative hits your system, look around. Make sure there is a nurse or a technician present. Explicitly state, "I want to ensure a chaperone is present for the duration of the procedure and recovery." It's your right. Don't feel "rude" for asking.
Understand Your Meds
Ask exactly what you are being given. If the doctor mentions a drug that isn't standard for the procedure, ask why.
Post-Procedure Advocacy
When you are waking up from anesthesia, you are vulnerable. Ensure a family member or friend is allowed into the recovery area as soon as possible. Predatory behavior often happens in that "twilight" period where the patient is conscious but unable to fight back or remember clearly.
Report Anything Unusual
If you wake up with unexplained bruising, discomfort, or a feeling that something happened, report it immediately. Don't wait. Contact the hospital's patient advocate and, if necessary, local law enforcement.
The story of Zhi Alan Cheng is a dark stain on the medical profession. But by staying informed and demanding better oversight, we can hopefully prevent a repeat of this tragedy.
Actionable Next Steps for Patient Safety
To take control of your healthcare safety, follow these concrete steps:
- Request your medical records after any major procedure to ensure the documented medications match what you were told.
- Utilize the "Hospital Compare" tool provided by Medicare to check the safety ratings of any facility where you plan to have surgery.
- Support legislation that increases transparency in physician disciplinary records, such as the efforts to reform the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) access.
- Maintain a "Medical Buddy" system where a trusted person is designated to stay with you until you are fully discharged from a facility following sedation.
Stay informed. Stay vocal. The safety of the patient-provider relationship depends on the accountability we demand today.