Albany (N.Y.) Med Health System has placed President and CEO Daniel Pickett III on paid leave while an outside firm reviews allegations against him, according to an Oct. 3 board statement shared with Becker’s.
The review will examine the allegations and their potential impact on the system. A special committee of board members will oversee the review, and it is expected to take 30 days. During that time, senior-level teams at the system and affiliate levels will lead hospital operations, the board said.
The allegations surfaced in court filings tied to a civil litigation between Mr. Pickett and a former girlfriend, the Times Union reported Oct. 3. The woman alleged that Mr. Pickett sexually assaulted her in February 2025, during their relationship.
Mr. Pickett has denied the allegations. He filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman in Saratoga County Supreme Court on Sept. 28, seeking at least $1 million in damages, court records show.
The woman filed a report with the New York City Police Department in March 2026. The matter was closed without charges, according to the system’s board chair and Mr. Pickett’s attorney, the Times Union reported.
The board said it will not comment further until the review is complete and it has considered the findings.
Mr. Pickett has served on the system’s board since 2012 and became board chair in July 2025. He was named CEO in December 2025, succeeding Dennis McKenna, MD.
Becker’s has reached out to Mr. Pickett for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.
