Dr. Marc J. Boyd of Boyd Obstetrics and Gynecology is a pioneer in addressing women’s healthcare needs in the Peoria area. By offering cutting-edge birthing and hysterectomy procedures, Dr. Boyd and his staff are able to fully meet the needs of their female patients and uphold high standards of patient respect and care.
As the son of a radiologist who served overseas, Dr. Boyd knew from a young age that he wanted to be a doctor. “My father is a missionary, so I was able to travel with him to Africa and the Gaza Strip. These experiences really solidified my desire to be in the medical field,” he said.
Dr. Boyd began college at Western Illinois University and transferred to the University of Alabama to complete his undergraduate work. He went on to earn a D.O. from Des Moines University, serving in the Iowa Air National Guard while he completed his degree. He came to Peoria to serve his residency in OB/GYN at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and then continued his studies at the University of Health Sciences Antigua School of Medicine in Antigua, West Indies, where he earned his M.D. Dr. Boyd returned to Peoria, where he and his wife, Barbara, live today with their two sons and three daughters. In addition to his position at Boyd Obstetrics, Dr. Boyd serves as an associate clinical professor at the College of Medicine in Peoria and medical director in obstetrics and gynecology at Methodist Medical Center.
The field of obstetrics and gynecology suits Dr. Boyd—a self-proclaimed “people person.” He thrives on direct contact and personal involvement in his patients’ lives. “I thoroughly enjoy getting to know my patients and their families,” he said. “It’s an awesome experience to have been a part of helping families conceive or deliver their child, or to help them overcome health issues." With a solid work ethic inherited from his father, Dr. Boyd takes on his duties as a physician with gusto. Boyd Obstetrics and Gynecology opened its doors in 1994 with the goal of bringing the latest technology and procedures in women’s healthcare to the Peoria area. OB/GYN has evolved rapidly over the thirteen years Dr. Boyd has been practicing, and he has followed the field’s technology each step of the way.
Current birthing trends have heralded an increase in the number of Cesarean section procedures. According to Dr. Boyd, a planned c-section procedure is convenient, comfortable and safe for both baby and mom. Soon, one out of three babies will be born by c-section.
“More and more patients are requesting to have their babies delivered via c-section, as they can plan a time which is convenient for their families. Some women still have a fear of the labor and delivery process as well…[or] request Cesarean delivery in the hopes of avoiding future pelvic or bladder issues,” Dr. Boyd said.
Other improvements in birthing techniques include more homelike settings in hospitals. A hospital is the safest place to give birth, states Dr. Boyd, as there is care immediately available should there be a problem with the delivery. Not everyone is satisfied with a traditional hospital birth, however. Patients have requested many unique birthing procedures from Dr. Boyd, including natural births, home deliveries and water births. Whatever the patients’ requests, he will work with them and their families toward a birthing procedure that is comfortable, safe and respectful of the needs of mom and baby. “My goal as an obstetrician is to deliver healthy babies to healthy moms,” he said.
Patients also see Dr. Boyd for gynecological care, including hysterectomies. Over the past decade, the number of hysterectomies has risen to over 900,000 each year, with 72 percent being total abdominal hysterectomies. Fortunately, this increase is complemented by the development of new procedures which reduce patient recovery time, according to Dr. Boyd. New procedures can reduce the recovery time from four to six weeks to about one week, with only one day of hospital stay following the operation. Dime-sized incisions lessen the amount of cutting and tissue manipulation and allow women to maintain sexual arousal. “These innovative surgeries are just the beginning of many new procedures which will dramatically change the way women and their physicians approach healthcare,” he said.
Innovative procedures such as Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) and Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy (LTH) are offered at Boyd Obstetrics and Gynecology. Another unique procedure offered by Boyd is the minimally-invasive Essure procedure. This is a permanent form of birth control which has proven to be 99.8 percent effective. The procedure takes about half an hour, requires no general anesthesia and allows patients to return to their normal activities within a day.
Another issue which challenges women’s health is osteoporosis— the “silent disease.” It is particularly dangerous because many people don’t realize they have it until they fracture or break a bone. In the first six years following menopause, women are at risk for losing as much as a third of the bone mass in their spine. “Women need to be aware of their risk for osteoporosis and take steps to prevent it at an early age,” Dr. Boyd noted. Preventative techniques include good nutrition, proper calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as weight-bearing exercise.
Boyd Obstetrics is designed to treat patients holistically, providing total healthcare through its staff, in addition to its technology. Dr. Boyd’s office was the first in the Peoria area to staff a Certified Nurse Midwife. Dana Humes Goff has over 25 years of experience in OB/GYN and has been a practicing midwife since 1994. The first nurse midwife to be credentialed at Peoria hospitals to attend deliveries, she joined the Boyd Obstetrics staff in 1998. “The benefit [of having her on staff] is that we are able to better serve our patients and give them the option of midwifery during their pregnancy and delivery,” Dr. Boyd said. “I have yet to find any drawbacks!”
The Boyd Obstetrics and Gynecology team also includes Lindsey Fritz, a women’s health practitioner, and Susan Canty, a certified physician’s assistant. The group works closely to carry out Dr. Boyd’s philosophy of teamwork and attentive patient care.
While Dr. Boyd will continue to offer cutting-edge procedures and top-notch patient care, there are external forces which challenge the team. Insurance reimbursements can be a difficult area for any physician, requiring a highly-trained and knowledgeable staff to sort through the gray areas. Also problematic are patients’ increasing tendencies to diagnose themselves by reading medical information online. “This practice can lead to improper treatment or lack of treatment,” Dr. Boyd said. “Healthcare options are not the same for every patient and need to be discussed with your healthcare provider on an individual basis.”
In his practice, Dr. Boyd has worked with mothers from ages 12 to 52. He has worked with traditional moms, but also with surrogate and adoptive mothers. Just last year, Dr. Boyd and staff delivered close to 350 babies. “Funny,” he said, “that with that many you actually remember each one!” TPW
