Dr. Michael Czerkes grew up in Charlevoix, a small town on the northern shore of Lower Michigan. He grew up with a nurse for a mother and a pharmacist for a father, which influenced him as a child to get into the medical profession. He didn't expect to get into obstetrics and gynecology, but during a routine rotation during medical school, he realized he really enjoyed delivering babies and helping couples struggling with infertility.
Dr. Czerkes believes in treating patients with openness and honesty, and he takes a teamwork approach to patient care.
"My approach to care is first to listen to the patient's story, to better understand what a patient desires from an appointment, and also what has been attempted in the past," Dr. Czerkes said. "I spend time getting to know my patients well and then work to find a solution to their needs."
He has a passion for natural family planning and how it promotes a fuller understanding of a woman's cycle to achieve a state of health. For him, OSF HealthCare provides a work environment with a Mission that aligns with his personal priorities.
"One of the main things I love about OSF is the true commitment to patient care and focusing on and living the Mission to care for patients with the greatest care and love," Dr. Czerkes said. "OSF is founded in Catholic identity, with a belief in respect for all human life, and this is vitally important to practicing medicine and most especially women's health."
Dr. Czerkes and his wife, Heidi, have six children and are heavily involved in their church community. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family outdoors camping, backpacking, hiking, bicycling, skiing and snowshoeing.
