NYU Langone Settles Gender Discrimination Lawsuit for $720K

Former Langone doctor Sari Edelman reached a settlement with the medical center after a yearslong lawsuit over wrongful termination.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:55am

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NYU Langone Health and a former Langone doctor, Sari Edelman, have reached a $720,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Edelman, who worked as a staff physician and adjunct assistant professor at NYU Langone since 2014, claimed she was paid dramatically less than her male counterparts despite an unblemished record, faced routine sexism from coworkers, and was ultimately terminated in retaliation for filing discrimination complaints.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights ongoing concerns about gender-based discrimination in the medical field, particularly at prestigious institutions like NYU Langone. The case also comes amid a broader reckoning over workplace equity and the challenges female professionals can face, even at organizations touting their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Edelman alleged that despite meeting productivity standards, she was paid 'dramatically lower' than male doctors with less experience. She also faced routine sexism from coworkers, as well as poor treatment from management for being a female physician. After Edelman filed a discrimination complaint with HR, her contract was not renewed, and she was terminated with a six-month notice in December 2020. A jury initially awarded Edelman $700,000 in lost earnings, but the decision was later overruled by a district judge.

  • Edelman first sued NYU Langone, NYU Grossman School of Medicine and several individuals in 2021.
  • In July 2023, a jury decided that Edelman was unlawfully terminated.
  • In June 2025, a district judge overruled the jury's decision due to insufficient evidence.
  • In December 2025, the defendants' request for a new trial or reduced award was denied.
  • On January 22, 2026, Edelman and NYU Langone reached a $720,000 settlement.

The players

Sari Edelman

A former staff physician and adjunct assistant professor at NYU Langone who filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the medical center.

NYU Langone Health

A prominent academic medical center in New York City that was sued by Edelman for gender discrimination and wrongful termination.

David Kaplan

An NYU Langone official who made 'inappropriate remarks about women' according to Edelman's complaint.

Joseph Antonik

An NYU Langone official who made 'inappropriate remarks about women' according to Edelman's complaint.

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What they’re saying

“From the beginning of her practice, defendants continually and systematically marginalized Dr. Edelman by treating her differently than other male doctors, speaking down to her.”

— Sari Edelman (Lawsuit complaint)

What’s next

The settlement resolves the yearslong legal dispute between Edelman and NYU Langone, though the medical center continues to face other gender discrimination lawsuits.

The takeaway

This case underscores the persistent challenges female professionals face in the medical field, even at prestigious institutions, and the importance of holding organizations accountable for discriminatory practices through the legal system.