Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Jonathan A. Sheindlin, M.D. |
| Profession | Ophthalmologist (Vitreoretinal Surgeon) |
| Specialization | Retina and vitreous disorders; diabetic retinopathy; complex retinal detachments |
| Board Certification | American Board of Ophthalmology |
| Current Roles | Clinical faculty (assistant professor) with Albert Einstein/Montefiore; practicing retinal surgeon in New York |
| Institutional Affiliations | Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore; Mount Sinai Health System; Bronx/Brooklyn retina clinics |
| Education | M.D., New York Medical College (1993) |
| Internship | Transitional year, Emory University Hospital |
| Residency | Ophthalmology, St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital Center (NY) |
| Fellowship | Vitreoretinal surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School |
| Notable Memberships | American Society of Retina Specialists |
| Honors | New York Medical College Distinguished Alumnus recognition (2025) |
| Parents | Father: Jerry (Gerald) Sheindlin; Mother: Suzanne Rosenthal |
| Stepmother | Judith (Judy) Sheindlin |
| Siblings | Gregory Sheindlin (brother), Nicole Sheindlin (sister) |
| Stepsiblings | Jamie Hartwright, Adam Levy |
| Spouse | Susanne M. Vasquez (married 21 June 1997) |
| Children | At least one child (daughter, publicly referenced) |
| Birth Era | Late 1960s (approx.) |
| Primary Practice Locations | Bronx and Brooklyn, New York |
Early Life and Education
Jonathan Sheindlin was born in the late 1960s into a New York family that bridged law and medicine. While the public record is sparse on early details, the timeline becomes crisp in 1993, when he earned his M.D. from New York Medical College. From there, he moved through a classic sequence for future retina surgeons: a transitional-year internship at Emory University Hospital, then ophthalmology residency at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan. He capped his training with a competitive vitreoretinal fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, affiliated with Harvard Medical School—a finishing school for surgeons who spend their days working at millimeter scales under microscopes.
That path—NYMC ’93, Emory, St. Luke’s–Roosevelt, Mass Eye and Ear—reads like a set of precise instruments in a tray: each piece doing its part to sharpen clinical judgment and surgical dexterity.
Career and Clinical Focus
Sheindlin’s career has unfolded across New York’s academic and community settings. He is listed on clinical faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore, where the pipeline from research to patient care runs through busy Bronx clinics and hospital operating rooms. He also appears in Mount Sinai provider listings and maintains practice locations in the Bronx and Brooklyn, treating a spectrum of retinal disease.
His clinical focus centers on the back of the eye—the retina and vitreous—where light signal meets neural circuitry. He manages diabetic retinopathy, macular pathology, and complex retinal detachments, conditions that require a steady hand and a steady mind. It’s work that blends science and craft: diagnosing microscopic changes, deciding when etiology meets threshold, and stepping into surgery when repair is the best path forward.
Research and Professional Memberships
In addition to practice, Sheindlin’s name appears in collaborative research tied to diabetic retinopathy and longitudinal clinical cohorts. The author line “J. Sheindlin” pops up in multi-center outputs that focus on the ways chronic disease shapes retinal health. That participation is emblematic of clinician-investigators in the retina field: tracking outcomes, refining protocols, and contributing to the collective evidence base.
He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), aligning his practice with contemporary standards and ongoing professional education. These memberships are more than badge collecting; they are the scaffolds of peer exchange—where surgical pearls, complication avoidance, and new therapeutics flow through meetings and journals.
The Sheindlin Family: Law, Justice, and Medicine
- Father: Jerry (Gerald) Sheindlin, a former New York trial judge and author, also known for a stint on television arbitration. He is Jonathan’s father and the source of the family’s legal DNA.
- Mother: Suzanne Rosenthal, Jerry’s first wife and mother of Gregory, Jonathan, and Nicole. The genealogy is straightforward: three children from the first marriage.
- Stepmother: Judith (Judy) Sheindlin—“Judge Judy” to the world. After Jerry and Judy married, their blended household became a frequent subject of lifestyle profiles. Jonathan is Judy’s stepson; family features often phrase all five adult children together under the “Judge Judy family” umbrella.
- Siblings: Gregory (Greg) Sheindlin, an attorney, and Nicole Sheindlin, an attorney and force behind the Her Honor Mentoring program. The law thread runs strong: advocacy, mentoring, and courtroom craft.
- Stepsiblings: Jamie Hartwright and Adam Levy (former Putnam County District Attorney). The extended family has been described in popular media as “five children and 13 grandchildren,” a testament to its size and visibility.
- Spouse: Susanne M. Vasquez. The couple’s marriage license dates to 21 June 1997, and public mentions indicate at least one daughter.
The portrait is balanced: law on one side, surgery on the other, with public service and education binding the middle.
Training Milestones and Clinical Pathways
| Year | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1960s | Birth (approx.) | New York |
| 1993 | M.D. completed | New York Medical College |
| Mid-1990s | Internship (Transitional Year) | Emory University Hospital |
| Mid-1990s | Residency (Ophthalmology) | St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital Center (NY) |
| Mid-1990s | Fellowship (Vitreoretinal Surgery) | Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School |
| Late 1990s–2000s | Retina practice launches | Bronx and Brooklyn clinics |
| 21 June 1997 | Marriage to Susanne M. Vasquez | New York |
| 2000s–2010s | Research collaborations | Diabetic retinopathy cohorts |
| 2025 | Alumni honor announced | New York Medical College |
Recent Mentions and Media
Most recent public mentions are professional and institutional. Sheindlin appears on faculty and provider directories for Montefiore/Albert Einstein and Mount Sinai, where appointment pages serve as his digital calling cards. An alumni communication in 2025 highlights a Distinguished Alumnus honor, the kind of recognition that ties a clinician back to the school that launched him.
While he maintains a lower media profile than his renowned stepmother, his name surfaces in family features and occasional video compilations focused on the Sheindlin household. Social presence appears conventional for a physician—directory listings and LinkedIn—rather than personality-driven.
Extended Timeline
- Late 1960s: Born in New York (approximate).
- 1993: Graduates with an M.D. from New York Medical College.
- Mid-1990s: Internship at Emory; residency at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt.
- Mid-1990s: Fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear/Harvard, specializing in vitreoretinal surgery.
- 21 June 1997: Marries Susanne M. Vasquez.
- Late 1990s onward: Begins active retina practice in Bronx and Brooklyn; affiliates with Montefiore/Albert Einstein and Mount Sinai.
- 2000s–2010s: Contributes to clinical research in diabetic retinal disease.
- 2025: Noted in alumni communications as a Distinguished Alumnus.
FAQ
Who is Jonathan Sheindlin?
A New York–trained retina specialist and board-certified ophthalmologist who practices and teaches in academic and community settings.
Where does he practice?
He is affiliated with Albert Einstein/Montefiore and Mount Sinai, with practice locations in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
What is his medical specialty?
Vitreoretinal surgery and the management of retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and complex detachments.
Where did he train?
M.D. at New York Medical College (1993), internship at Emory, residency at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt, and fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear/Harvard.
Is he related to Judge Judy?
Yes; he is the son of Jerry Sheindlin and the stepson of Judith (Judy) Sheindlin.
Who are his siblings?
Gregory (an attorney) and Nicole (an attorney and mentoring program founder), plus stepsiblings Jamie Hartwright and Adam Levy.
Is he married?
Yes, to Susanne M. Vasquez; their marriage is dated 21 June 1997.
Does he publish research?
He has appeared as a co-author in collaborative studies, including work connected to diabetic retinopathy cohorts.
What professional memberships does he hold?
He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists.
Is his net worth publicly known?
No; there is no reliable public estimate for his personal net worth.
