A Portland podiatrist will spend more than eight years in prison after 13 women reported he sexually abused them during exams and surgical recovery. Brian Bowen, 52, was sentenced Friday to 100 months. He was convicted of first-degree sexual abuse in a June bench trial and pleaded guilty to 10 misdemeanor counts of third-degree sexual abuse plus two counts involving false representation.
Prosecutors said the contact was brief and involved no comments or explanations, which left patients confused about whether what happened was normal. That confusion allowed the abuse to continue for years, until Oregon’s 2023 law made it a crime to present sexual contact as medical treatment. Bowen must also register as a sex offender and serve post-prison supervision once released.
The case resonates here on the Suncoast, where so many residents and snowbirds spend time in exam rooms and recovery beds. Trust between a patient and a provider is the foundation of good care, and when that trust is exploited, the damage reaches far beyond one exam room. If something ever feels wrong during a medical visit, you are allowed to ask questions, request a chaperone, or speak up. Have you ever been in a situation where you weren’t sure if something was appropriate? Share your thoughts in the comments.
