Dr. Karyna Shuliak, named in prosecutors' files as Jeffrey Epstein's companion for nearly eight years, reportedly worked part time as a dentist in New York City this year. News reports say Epstein and associates intervened in her dental training and admission to Columbia's program, and that federal files allege individuals provided her with advance guidance on an admissions exam. Patients only learned of her connection to Epstein after seeing her photo in released documents. Shuliak completed a Columbia postdoctoral program in May 2025, obtained New York licensure later that year, and left a downtown Brooklyn practice on Feb. 12.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Girlfriend Reportedly Practiced as a Part-Time NYC Dentist
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Dr. Karyna Shuliak, identified in court records as a longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein, has been reported to have worked part time as a dentist in New York City this year, according to reporting based on Department of Justice files and The New York Times.
Shuliak was the sex offender's
Background
Shuliak, who moved to New York from Belarus on a student visa in 2011 to complete dental training, is described in prosecutors' files as having a relationship with Epstein that lasted nearly eight years. Records say Epstein initially offered to help her pursue dental education and later provided financial and other assistance.
Epstein was arrested and indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019. He died in his jail cell just weeks later. / Handout . / REUTERS
Alleged Assistance From Epstein And Associates
Prosecutors' documents and news reporting say Epstein intervened after Shuliak was not admitted to Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine. Epstein reportedly enlisted his dentist, Dr. Thomas J. Magnani, and Columbia administrator Dr. James Fine to assist her. Federal files allege those aides provided guidance about the school's admissions exam before she took it. The reporting also says Epstein offered as much as $10 million to Columbia but ultimately donated roughly $210,000.
A dentist chair surrounded by masks in a room inside Jeffrey Epstein's Little St. James estate. / House Oversight Committee
Patients Were Unaware
According to The New York Times, patient Yoonhae Kim saw Shuliak for dental care in December and again in February. Kim said she only recognized Shuliak after seeing her photograph among documents in the Epstein files and described feeling upset and surprised.
“I was so upset,” Kim told The Times. “I just couldn't believe it. Of all the things that happened to me, I didn't win the lottery. I met Epstein's girlfriend.”
Timeline And Current Status
Prosecutors' files show Epstein made a final phone call to Shuliak shortly before he was found dead in his jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019, a death ruled a suicide. Her attorney told reporters that Epstein advised her to find another place to stay and urged her “to be strong.”
Shuliak is reported to have returned to New York in 2023 to enroll in a postdoctoral dental program at Columbia to obtain New York licensure. She completed that program in May 2025 and reportedly received a New York dental license six months later. She then accepted a part-time position at a downtown Brooklyn dental practice; her last day at that office was Feb. 12. Her lawyer declined to tell reporters whether she has taken another position.
Reporting And Legal Context
This article is based on reporting by The New York Times and documents released by federal prosecutors. Where the underlying materials are allegations or claims from legal filings, they are reported here as such. Some parties named in the reporting have declined to comment on specific details.
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