Rachel L. Wheeler, DO

Rachel Wheeler, DO, a proud fifth-generation local, is thrilled to be back serving her hometown.  Committed to excellence, she works closely with her patients, helping them reach their highest quality of life and enjoy the activities they love. Dr. Wheeler’s expertise lies in spine surgery, specializing in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar degenerative spine conditions and deformity. She is passionate about minimally invasive procedures, and equally dedicated to performing complex spine surgeries when necessary.

As an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Wheeler also treats a wide range of other orthopedic conditions including shoulder and knee injuries, fractures, and joint replacements. She prioritizes non-operative treatments whenever possible and approaches each patient’s care as if they were family, ensuring the highest quality of care. Dr. Wheeler emphasizes surgical techniques aimed at minimizing post-operative pain and reducing the need for medication.

Dr. Wheeler was a distinguished softball player at both Rogers High School and Pacific Lutheran University, earning accolades including Most Valuable Offensive Player and All-Conference First Utility Player. At PLU, she earned her Bachelor of Science before pursuing her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in Tennessee.

Her educational journey continued with an Orthopedic Surgery Residency near Detroit, Michigan. There she gained extensive training in general orthopedics, sports medicine, and joint replacement, as well as orthopedic trauma care at Detroit’s Level 1 trauma center. Dr. Wheeler furthered her expertise with a renowned Spine Surgery Fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, mastering a wide array of spine surgeries, including minimally invasive and complex procedures, under the mentorship of leading experts in the field.

In her free time, Dr. Wheeler enjoys time with her three children, exploring the outdoors, watching softball, and scuba diving.