DEFENDANT DOC Dr. Keiper was the subject of complaints to state labor officials.

A scrub tech who claims that the neurosurgeon she worked for inappropriately touched and sexually harassed her has won a $1.4 million verdict against the doctor and his Eugene, Ore., spine surgery center.

According to the complaint, Glenn L. Keiper Jr., MD, of the Surgical Spine Center of Eugene, allegedly told Chere Bergstrom that she had a "tight ass" and asked whether she wanted to see his penis. The complaint also stated that Dr. Keiper asked Ms. Bergstrom during surgery if she knew how to have multiple orgasms. He said they "had 18 years of sexual tension and should just get down on the floor and take care of it," according to the complaint.

Ms. Bergstrom, who worked for Dr. Keiper as a scrub tech for 6 years, testified during an August trial that despite telling him to stop and complaining to others in the office about the sexual harassment, Dr. Keiper persisted. She said her feelings of powerlessness ultimately led her to resign.

Chere Bergstrom

The jury's $1,436,160 award included $21,160 for lost wages and other economic damages, $615,000 for non-economic damages and $800,000 for punitive damages against Dr. Keiper, 70% of which goes to a state fund for crime victim compensation. An attorney representing Dr. Keiper reportedly plans to appeal.

Becker's Spine Review named Dr. Keiper a "spine surgeon to know" earlier this year.

Ms. Bergstrom's lawyers report that this isn't the first time Dr. Keiper has sexually harassed an employee. According to a 2010 investigation by the Bureau of Labor and Industries, a former employee complained about vulgar sexual remarks Dr. Keiper directed toward her.

Outpatient Surgery