Maquoketa doctor surrenders license

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Dr. Paul Koob has surrendered his medical license.

The Iowa Board of Medicine said Dr. Paul Koob administered or dispensed the narcotic drug Nubain and other controlled substances between August 2008 and July 2009 to patients outside of the normal doctor-patient relationship and without doing physical exams or getting medical histories. The board also charged that Koob "engaged in sexual relationships" with two patients in the 1990s.

Koob practices family medicine at Maquoketa's Medical Associates. He also was the Jackson County medical examiner for many years.

Koob agreed to surrender his Iowa medical license as of April 30. In March, before the state board's April 15 announcement, Koob unexpectedly and without explanation announced he would retire by April 30. That put Jackson County Regional Medical Center in a bind, as Koob is the only doctor who delivers babies at the hospital. At the time, hospital officials did not know whether they would be able to attract another obstetrician or would be forced to close the department. Hospital Administrator Curt Coleman did not return calls Friday for an update on that situation.

Don't get me wrong, it's good this guy isn't practicing medicine anymore. But I feel bad for the people of Jackson County - their hospital doesn't have anyone to deliver babies.

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1. Sorry to hear that.

I liked Doctor Koob. He delivered a few of my grandkids. I take one exception to the article. It was well known that he was planning on retiring soon. Of course, this may have sped up his plans.