Albany Med Health System CEO on paid leave
Published on:
October 3, 2026
Daniel Pickett III oversees several area hospitals, including Columbia Memorial Health in Hudson. Photo contributed.
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ALBANY―Albany Med Health System’s president and CEO has been placed on paid leave as its board reviews allegations made against him by an ex-girlfriend.
Daniel Pickett III, who has been leading the hospital group since last December, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman in February of 2025.
Pickett oversees Albany Medical Center, Albany Medical College, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, Columbia Memorial Health in Hudson and the Visiting Nurses Association.
The allegation arose as part of an ongoing civil court battle between the former couple in which Pickett says the woman, whom he dated for 15 months, took more than $300,000 in furniture and other items from a New York City apartment he leased for them.
The woman has alleged that Pickett had sex with her while she was asleep in the apartment toward the end of their relationship, according to court filings.
The woman has had an order of protection against Pickett since she reported the incident to New York City Police in March of this year, court filings state. The case was closed within a few days and Pickett is not facing criminal charges.
Pickett, whose residence is in Saratoga County, has denied the sexual abuse claim and last week filed a $1 million defamation lawsuit against the woman.
The Albany Med Health System Board released a statement Friday, saying that it “takes its oversight responsibilities very seriously.”
"As such, the Board has decided to retain an outside firm to conduct an independent review of the allegations made against Albany Med President and CEO Daniel T. Pickett III and their potential impact on the system,” the board stated.
The review is expected to take 30 days, during which time Pickett will be on paid leave, and hospital operations will be led by its senior-level teams at the system and affiliate levels, the board advised.
"These steps allow for a thorough and fully independent review while ensuring Albany Med's work of caring for patients, supporting our employees, and contributing to the community continues without interruption,” the board stated, adding that it will not be commenting again until the review is complete and they have had the opportunity to consider its findings.
