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.
Very direct.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(1 week ago)
Nov-2026
He performed back surgery on me in 2020 excellent job
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(1 week ago)
Nov-2026
Very detailed with information and excellent surgeon
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(2 weeks ago)
Oct-2026
Extremely polite and helpful. Highly recommend Dr. Merrick!
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(2 weeks ago)
Oct-2026
dr. Merrick was very down to earth and spoke in Laymans terms so we can understand exactly what was going on. showed us what was going on with my MRI and an x-rays and told me the options that I had. He was a wonderful wonderful man.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(2 weeks ago)
Oct-2026
He is thorough and very friendly. I am pleased with his His compassion shines through his care. He’s appreciated,
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(3 weeks ago)
Oct-2026
Through
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(1 month ago)
Oct-2026
Too early to know gor sire but like so far.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(1 month ago)
Sep-2026
He gave me hope today he would fix my spine and that’s the best gift I could have gotten. Thank you so much
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
(1 month ago)
Sep-2026
Dr Merrick is easy to talk to about my concerns. He listens and addresses the issues in a way that is very easy to understand. I can’t imagine seeing a different spine specialist.
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.
Very direct.
He performed back surgery on me in 2020 excellent job
Very detailed with information and excellent surgeon
Extremely polite and helpful. Highly recommend Dr. Merrick!
dr. Merrick was very down to earth and spoke in Laymans terms so we can understand exactly what was going on. showed us what was going on with my MRI and an x-rays and told me the options that I had. He was a wonderful wonderful man.
He is thorough and very friendly. I am pleased with his His compassion shines through his care. He’s appreciated,
Through
Too early to know gor sire but like so far.
He gave me hope today he would fix my spine and that’s the best gift I could have gotten. Thank you so much
Dr Merrick is easy to talk to about my concerns. He listens and addresses the issues in a way that is very easy to understand. I can’t imagine seeing a different spine specialist.