Sex-Change Surgeon Downplays Ties to Epstein Despite Visiting Island

Dr. Jess Ting accepted funding from Epstein and asked him to support a transgender health documentary

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A New York surgeon, Dr. Jess Ting of the Mt. Sinai Health System, defended his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein after news broke that he had accepted funding from Epstein and asked him to support a documentary on transgender health. Ting said he did not recall if Epstein had been charged with sex crimes before he treated some of Epstein's female associates, and denied engaging in any sexual behavior with Epstein's associates on his private island.

Why it matters

Ting's connections to Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes, raise concerns about the surgeon's judgment and ethics, especially given Epstein's history of exploiting vulnerable individuals. As the head of Mt. Sinai's transgender program, Ting's actions could undermine public trust in transgender healthcare.

The details

According to emails obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, Ting accepted $50,000 in breast cancer research funding from Epstein in 2013, visited his private island that year, and asked Epstein to support a film on his 'groundbreaking' transgender surgery practices in 2016. Ting told The Advocate that he did not 'recall' whether Epstein had been charged with sex crimes before he treated some of Epstein's female associates as a plastic surgeon. Ting denied engaging in any sexual behavior with Epstein's associates on the island, saying a reference to playing with 'toys' referred to jet skis and sailboats.

  • In 2013, Ting accepted $50,000 in breast cancer research funding from Epstein and visited his private island.
  • In 2016, Ting asked Epstein to support a film on his 'groundbreaking' transgender surgery practices.

The players

Dr. Jess Ting

A New York surgeon who is the head of Mt. Sinai's transgender program. He accepted funding from Jeffrey Epstein and asked him to support a documentary on transgender health.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late financier who was convicted of sex crimes. Epstein provided funding to Ting and was consulted by him about a medical issue.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have taken care of thousands of patients over the years, from all walks of life, from actual prisoners at Riker's Island to captains of industry and A-list movie stars. When I am referred a patient, I don't pass judgment on the patient's personal life, or on the background of the person referring that patient. I focus only on the patient and how I can help them.”

— Dr. Jess Ting, Surgeon

“I remember reading news reports about [Epstein] being charged with sex crimes, but I don't recall if that was before or after I treated any of the patients referred by his office.”

— Dr. Jess Ting, Surgeon

The takeaway

Ting's connections to Epstein, a convicted sex offender, raise serious ethical concerns about the surgeon's judgment and the potential impact on public trust in transgender healthcare. As the head of Mt. Sinai's transgender program, Ting's actions could undermine the credibility of the institution and the broader transgender healthcare field.