Doctor Loses License Over Carved Initials

New York state has taken away the license of an obstetrician who carved his initials in a woman’s abdomen immediately after she gave birth, Health Commissioner Antonia Novello said. Officials released findings from an investigation into the Sept. 7 incident in which Dr. Allan Zarkin, 61, carved the letters “A” and “Z” into 31-year-old Liana Gedz, whose baby he had just delivered by Caesarian section. The state also fined Beth Israel Medical Center $14,000 for several violations and required changes in its reporting procedures.