Our Scoliosis Practice

The Southwest Scoliosis Institute is committed to providing quality care in a private setting. Our team is comprised of surgeons, therapists, nurses and administrative staff whose primary goal is to help you get better and make the journey as comfortable as possible.

We currently work with most health care plans, coordinate care with your insurance company, and manage all paperwork regarding your care. We also have many patients from abroad and offer Concierge Services for those traveling to the United States for medical care with the Southwest Scoliosis Institute.

We are located at 4708 Alliance Blvd. Suite 810 in Plano, Texas, 160 West Magnolia Blvd, Suite 210 in Fort Worth, Texas and 4600 Linton Blvd., Suite 250 in Delray Beach, Florida. You may contact our offices by calling:

888-781-5558 (toll free), 972-985-2797 (Plano), 817-922-2880 (Ft. Worth), or 888-781-5558 (Florida)

A physician or physician assistant is available 24 hours a day to provide prompt access to care in the event of an emergency.

Dr. Richard A. Hostin

Richard Hostin, MD is a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon who treats spinal diseases including pediatric and adult spinal deformity, degenerative conditions of the spine, as well as spinal trauma, tumors and infections. Dr. Hostin is well trained in modern spinal surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgical methods. His practice focuses on primary and revision pediatric and adult spinal deformity.

Dr. Hostin was raised in Southern California and earned his bachelors degree from UC Berkley. He went on to complete medical school at the University of Oklahoma, earning membership in the Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at UC Davis in Sacramento and went on to receive additional specialized training in spinal surgery during his fellowship at the Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.

In searching for a practice to join, Dr. Hostin says, "I wanted to work someplace I would want to go as a patient," having a physician who is on time, accessible to his patients, and who has substantial experience with delivering high quality care in spine surgery.

Dr. Hostin found just the practice setting he was looking for, headed by Dr. Shelokov; a surgeon with a long record of success and a philosophy of practice harmonious with his own, especially in regard to research. Dr. Hostin plans to continue Dr. Shelokov's tradition of uncompromising patient care and surgical excellence. He says, "Everything here is designed to do what we do extremely well. The surgeon is just one member of the team. Working at a center that is focused on providing optimal care for our patients has allowed us to build a world class team that includes critical care specialists, internists, anesthesiologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and orthotists."

He also plans to expand the Center's research efforts with an eye toward helping the Center eventually become a training facility for medical graduate fellows. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Western Orthopedic Association, and the North American Spine Society.

Dr. Michael F. O'Brien

Michael F. O’Brien, MD is a fellowship trained and board certified orthopedic surgeon. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders and deformities, including reconstructive spine surgery for children, adolescents, and adults.

Dr. O’Brien earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and completed medical school in 1987 at the State University of New York at Downstate in Brooklyn, NY where he also completed a surgical internship and orthopedic surgical residency. His fellowship training is very extensive. He completed a Spine Surgery Fellowship at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, MO; an International Spine Fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London; and a Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship in Chicago, IL. In addition, Dr. O’Brien has received many academic honors and awards for his research including the Dean’s list at Columbia University and the Orthopedic Research Award at SUNY Downstate Medical College.

Dr. O’Brien is a member of several prestigious societies including the American Board of Spine Surgery, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society, American Medical Association, Colorado Medical Society, Clear Creek Medical Society, Denver Medical Society, Florida Medical Association, Alachua Medical Society, Cervical Spine Research Society, North American Spine Society, and Royal Society of Medicine.

Since 2002, Dr. O’Brien has participated in international spine mission trips. He is a prior chairman of Scoliosis Research Society Global Outreach Committee which provides complex spine care to indigent patients in Central and South America. In collaboration with Health Volunteers Overseas, Dr. O’Brien aided in the opening of sites in Columbia and Nicaragua to provide life changing and life saving procedures to people with severe spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, spondyloisthesis, tumors, and trauma.

Dr. O’Brien also has a strong interest in spinal deformity research. His research accomplishments include, publishing 14 book chapters and numerous journal articles. He has also presented his research papers at more than 100 professional meetings.

Dr. O’Brien has been intimately acquainted with the Baylor Scoliosis Center for more than seven years. “It is exciting to be affiliated with such a forward thinking organization such as Baylor. Together, I believe we will achieve great things with the high caliber staff, hospital and organizational support and comprehensive spinal care that have been and will continue to be provided by the Center. Nowhere in the world have I seen an organization with such a comprehensive vision of where the Art of Spinal Deformity Surgery can be realized."

Eric Sims, PA-C

Eric Sims grew up in the Texas Panhandle and received his Bachelor’s degree at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. He worked as a medical technologist for 5 years before training as a Physician Assistant at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, TX. Eric worked in general orthopedics prior to joining the team at the Baylor Scoliosis Center and assists Dr. Hostin with patient care in both clinical settings and in the operating room. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.