OB-GYN Dr. Michael J. Coyle continues his pioneering efforts in women's medicine issues

Like the Energizer Bunny you see all the time on TV, Dr. Michael J. Coyle just keeps going and going!

The OB-GYN specialist, most widely known as "a woman's doctor" and the pioneer of a number of women's health surgical procedures here, has now introduced robotic surgery into his practice which constitutes less invasive procedures.

The most widely recognized robotic surgical procedures which Dr. Coyle performs include Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, and Uterine or Vaginal Prolapse. The robotic surgeries are performed at other hospitals since Santa Rosa Medical Center, where he is now Vice Chief of Staff, is not equipped with the facilities which it  requires. Dr. Coyle is the only doctor in this area who performs the Uterine or Vaginal Prolapse surgery through robotic means.

Dr. Coyle who specializes in OB-GYN issues, including Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Urogynecology, Minimally invasive surgery, and Bio-Identical hormones replacement has practiced in Milton since 2004 as Progressive OB/GYN P.A., but changed that name to Progressive Women's Health, P.A. effective the first of last year.

Formerly housed in the Santa Rosa Medical Center's Medical Office Building, Dr. Coyle now practices at 6072 Doctors Park Road, just off Berryhill Road in front of Santa Rosa Medical Center.

Although Dr. Coyle has a famous reputation for delivering babies, in January of 2008 he shifted the focus of his practice to other areas of women's health and no longer delivers babies. He directs his concentration and energy to the woman herself.

In changing the focus of his work, Dr. Coyle explains the redirection. "Shifting focus away from delivering babies will open up more time for women who have these other needs," he said  as he prepared for the change in late 2007. "There are plenty of doctors delivering babies, but there are things that I'm doing in the community that nobody else is doing."

Just as his activities indicate, Dr. Coyle is innovative and futuristic in his outlook and continues to forge ahead on the cutting edge of medicine as it affects his women patients. He performed the first Hysteroscopic Tubal occlusion and the first Trans-Obturator taping for stress incontinence at Santa Rosa Medical Center and is the first Bio-Identical Hormone replacement specialist in Santa Rosa County.

Dr. Coyle graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2000 and completed his OB-GYN training in Detroit, Michigan.

Settling and establishing a practice in Milton is like "coming home," he says. You see, his father was stationed at NAS Whiting Field during his early childhood, and he lived in East Milton until he was in the fifth grade.

Some of the procedures performed by Dr. Coyle are done in his office, while others require hospital facilities. But he says he's completely comfortable with what they have to work with. "It's necessary to do my robotic procedures in other hospitals where they have the facilities for it," he said.. He admitted that  he would certainly like to see Santa Rosa Medical Center provide robotic facilities but can understand its position right now.

The three procedures that he does robotically offer a less invasive surgical process than traditional operations. The hysterectomy performed robotically insures significantly less pain, less risk of infection, a shorter hospital stay, and less blood loss and need for transfusion.

A common alternative to hysterectomy is myomectomy, or surgical removal of uterine fibroids. This procedure preserves the uterus, and may be  recommended for women who could become pregnant. Dr. Coyle's robotic surgery usually results in the same after effects, including less scarring, faster recovery, and a quicker return to normal activities

Another robotic procedure includes surgery for uterine or vaginal vault prolapse. The weakening of connective tissues accelerates with age, after child birth, with weight gain, and strenuous physical labor. Women experiencing pelvic organ prolapse (falling) can experience prolapse through their vagina.

These are some of the conditions which Dr. Coyle treats successfully. In fact, he is perhaps the only physician in the Panhandle who performs the Uterine or Vaginal Vault Prolapse surgery robotically..

Dr. Coyle says he's very passionate about all aspects of women's health, especially in their later years when things get neglected or dismissed as a normal part of aging. He says he's interested in shattering some myths, planting some seeds, and giving some helpful advice to women and their significant others as they come to a new beginning in later years.

Another of the unique programs which Dr. Coyle is exploring is Natural Weight Loss. "Our natural weight loss program is now under development," he said, "and, hopefully, we should be starting that within the next month or so. This is a natural approach to weight loss using Bio-Identical hormones as opposed to the drugs that are currently on the market for weight loss."

"I sincerely love Santa Rosa Medical Center and will continue to do things that will improve the hospital, as well as the quality of life for my patients," Dr. Coyle says.

Although we rarely think of a doctor as having a personal life, they do. And it's amazing what Dr. Coyle can do and does do with the time he takes, away from  the fast pace of his medical practice.

He and his wife Lora have three children of their own: Christina who is seven, Nathan who is five, and Abby who is two. They attend St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Park Avenue in Milton and spend their family time and recreation centered around such wholesome activities as boating, fishing, church music ministry, and other family oriented activities.

So where do you suppose Dr. Coyle finds time for his martial arts activities and the golf game that he cares so much about? He's a superb manager of his time is the best answer he can give.

But it is significant that he's more involved in his martial arts activities these days. He's now teaching a TaeKwonDo class at the Milton Community Center. "It's not only a lot of fun but it's great recreation as well," he admitted.

It's evident that Dr. Coyle is dedicated to his work toward the advancement and quality of life of women when it comes to their health and body.

He's taking new patients, and those who are interested can call (850) 983-3528 for an appointment or more information about his work.