Dr. Michael T. Merrick, M.D., is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing exclusively in Surgery of the Spine and Neck. He earned his M.D.from the University of Texas, Houston Medical School, and his B.S.from Rice University. Dr. Merrick completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners and received specialized training through a Spine Surgery Fellowship at the prestigious Norton Leatherman Spine Center in Louisville, KY.
Dr. Michael T. Merrick, M.D., is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing exclusively in Surgery of the Spine and Neck. He earned his M.D.from the University of Texas, Houston Medical School, and his B.S.from Rice University. Dr. Merrick completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners and received specialized training through a Spine Surgery Fellowship at the prestigious Norton Leatherman Spine Center in Louisville, KY.
The reviews listed below were collected independently of Azalea Orthopedics through rater8. Each review represents an authentic and verified patient experience.
I have complete trust in Dr Merrick and am very happy with the outcome of my procedure
(5 days ago)
Jan-2026
Awesome doctor.
(6 days ago)
Jan-2026
Very personable and attentive. Explained & communicated in detail.
(3 weeks ago)
Dec-2025
Excellent Doctor!!! He took care of my lower back and now working on my c-spine!
(1 month ago)
Dec-2025
Very professional and concerned
(1 month ago)
Dec-2025
Very knowledgeable Great bedside patient/dr manners👍🏼
(1 month ago)
Dec-2025
excellent
(1 month ago)
Dec-2025
He's very personable & spent about 15 minutes asking questions & engaging in conversation about my case... He made me feel very comfortable like I could be talking to a family member.
(1 year ago)
Feb-2024
Dr. Merrick did my neck surgery, fixing the C6-C7 disc and cleaning up many arthritic bone spurs. He is an excellent surgeon and a kind and concerned doctor. I very much appreciated his prayers before surgery too. I highly recommend him!
Dr. Michael Merrick, M.D., is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in adult and pediatric spine surgery. He finished a one-year fellowship in spine surgery at the world-renowned Norton Leatherman Spine Center in Louisville, Kentucky. His interests include minimally invasive surgery, degenerative conditions in the neck and back, and deformity surgery. Dr. Merrick grew up in The Woodlands, Texas. He earned a scholarship to play football at Rice University. After four years at Rice, he attended medical school at the University of Texas in Houston. He then completed his five-year orthopaedic surgery residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“My hope is to help patients with disabling back and neck problems get back to living life on their own terms,” Merrick said.
“I believe that surgery should always be the last resort when it comes to treating spinal conditions in the neck and back,” Merrick explains. “However, if various non-operative treatments have been attempted without improvement, spine surgery may be the right answer. Our field has made tremendous advances in recent years. We have minimally invasive and motion-preserving technology that helps patients return to normal function more quickly.”
In 2019 – 2023, Dr. Merrick has been recognized by Texas Monthly Magazine with their Rising Stars Award. In 2024 and 2025, he was recognized as a Super Doctor.
In September 2023, he was voted as a Best in Town winner by readers of the Tyler Telegraph. His category was “One of the Best – Spine Surgeon”.
In September 2024, Dr. Merrick was voted by readers of the Tyler Morning Telegraph as One of the Best Spine Surgeons. In September 2025, he was also voted by Tyler Morning Telegraph readers as a runner-up for the Best in Town Spine Surgeon.
Dr. Merrick was featured in the April 2022 edition of Tyler Medical Professionals Magazine. Click here to read the story.
I have complete trust in Dr Merrick and am very happy with the outcome of my procedure
Awesome doctor.
Very personable and attentive. Explained & communicated in detail.
Excellent Doctor!!! He took care of my lower back and now working on my c-spine!
Very professional and concerned
Very knowledgeable Great bedside patient/dr manners👍🏼
excellent
He's very personable & spent about 15 minutes asking questions & engaging in conversation about my case... He made me feel very comfortable like I could be talking to a family member.
Dr. Merrick did my neck surgery, fixing the C6-C7 disc and cleaning up many arthritic bone spurs. He is an excellent surgeon and a kind and concerned doctor. I very much appreciated his prayers before surgery too. I highly recommend him!
Very informative and polite