Michael R. Wheeler, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon | Dallas and Plano, Texas | Texas Orthopaedic Associates
The Practice
Michael R. Wheeler, MD is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon serving patients across the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex through Texas Orthopaedic Associates, with offices in both Dallas and Plano. Dr. Wheeler specializes in advanced spinal care, combining minimally invasive surgical techniques, navigation-assisted procedures, and deeply individualized treatment planning to help patients recover mobility and reclaim quality of life.
What makes this practice different from the outset is its independence. Dr. Wheeler operates as a pure private practice, free from the pressures of large hospital system oversight. That independence translates directly into patient care: faster scheduling, faster diagnostics, and a treatment plan built entirely around what is best for the patient, not what is most convenient for an institution.
Background and Training
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Michael R. Wheeler, MD
Dr. Wheeler grew up in Houston and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas in Austin, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. That business background would later inform how he thinks about building a practice: efficiently, independently, and with a clear focus on patient outcomes.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, one of medicine’s most selective academic honors. He went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where he emerged as a well-rounded surgical practitioner before discovering his true passion in spinal care.
To deepen that specialty, Dr. Wheeler completed a spine surgery fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, where he trained alongside one of the most experienced and recognized spine surgeons in the country. That training gave him not only advanced technical skills but a philosophy of care centered on precision, patient communication, and long-term outcomes.
Dr. Wheeler joined Texas Orthopaedic Associates in 2021 and launched michaelwheelermd.com the same year to support patient education and extend his reach beyond the clinic. He has delivered multiple presentations and published research in the field, and is affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the North American Spine Society, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.
The Practice
Our Mission
To deliver the highest quality spine care in the Dallas and Fort Worth area through expert, evidence-based treatment with dignity, transparency, and personalized attention, helping patients achieve long-term health and function.
Our Vision
To be recognized as a trusted leader in spine surgery and patient education, known for excellence, innovation, and compassionate care.
Our Values
The Care Team
Dr. Michael R. Wheeler, MD
Outside the operating room and clinic, Dr. Wheeler is an avid golfer, a painter, a documentary enthusiast, and a self-described lover of spicy food. He enjoys cooking, long neighborhood walks with his wife Sarah, and is a proud University of Texas Longhorn through and through.
Macie McFarland, PA-C
Physician AssistantMacie McFarland was born and raised in north Texas and completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Mississippi in 2021. She went on to earn her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2023 and joined Texas Orthopaedic Associates in October of that year, working directly alongside Dr. Wheeler in spine care.
Outside of work, Macie enjoys reading, working out, watching sports, and spending time with her family, friends, and corgis.
Chrystal St. Clair, MA
Medical AssistantChrystal St. Clair brings over 20 years of clinical experience to the team, with a specialization in spine care. She works closely with Dr. Wheeler to support patient evaluations, procedures, and treatment planning, and is known across the practice for her professionalism, efficiency, and genuinely compassionate approach.
Chrystal’s priority is making sure every patient feels informed, comfortable, and supported throughout their care.
Tami Bern, LVN
Surgery CoordinatorTami Bern is a Licensed Vocational Nurse with 25 years of healthcare experience, including 10 years specializing in orthopedics. As Surgery Coordinator, she manages the full arc of the surgical process, from preoperative planning and patient education to physician collaboration and postoperative follow-up.
Tami takes genuine pride in guiding patients through every stage of their treatment journey, and her attention to detail, organizational skill, and composure in fast-paced clinical environments make her an essential part of the team.
Why Dr. Wheeler
Patients We Serve
Dr. Wheeler’s practice serves individuals across the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex who are dealing with back, neck, and spinal conditions that are affecting their daily life, their mobility, or their ability to do what they love. Whether the path forward is surgical or non-surgical, the goal is the same: a clear diagnosis, an honest conversation, and a plan that fits the patient.
Conditions Treated
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disc disease
Disc herniation
Sciatica
Spondylolisthesis
Neck and back pain
Geographic Reach
Dallas and Plano office locations, serving patients throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding Texas communities.
Results and Recognition
How We Care
Dr. Wheeler’s practice is built on a simple but meaningful idea: patients deserve to feel heard, informed, and confident in their care. That starts with the first phone call and runs through every appointment, every procedure, and every follow-up.
As a private practice independent of large hospital systems, the team operates without the administrative pressures that often compromise the patient experience elsewhere. Scheduling is efficient. Diagnostics are fast. And patients always have access to Dr. Wheeler directly.
The culture of the practice reflects that commitment. Every team member, from the physician assistant to the surgery coordinator, is chosen for their clinical competence and their genuine care for the people they serve. The goal is a practice environment where patients feel comfortable, not just clinically managed.
Let’s Talk About Your Options
If you’re trying to decide whether surgery makes sense — or just want to understand what recovery would look like for your specific situation — that’s exactly the kind of conversation I have in consultation.
