Right Surgery, Right Time: Dr. Derek Moody Brings Modern Spine Care Home to Victoria

10/1/2025

For patients in Victoria and the surrounding Crossroads region, the days of driving hours to Houston or San Antonio for advanced spine surgery are over. Thanks to new capabilities at DeTar Healthcare System, skilled care for complex spinal conditions is now available—right here at home.

Whether it’s the nagging pain of a degenerative disc, a traumatic spinal injury or a condition that’s slowly taken away mobility and joy, patients can now access modern spine care in Victoria, led by fellowship-trained spine surgeon Dr. Derek Moody with Victoria Orthopedic Center.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone go from barely functioning to being back on their feet, active and doing what they love,” said Dr. Moody. “That’s why I’m here—to help people get their lives back.”

A New Era of Spine Care in Victoria

Dr. Moody’s arrival in Victoria marks a new era for local spine care. He brings with him more than a decade of training in the Texas Medical Center, including a fellowship alongside some of the nation’s leading neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine specialists. But his goal was never to stay in the big city—it was to bring high-level, personalized spine care to communities like Victoria.

“People shouldn’t have to leave their families or their communities to get skilled care,” Dr. Moody said. “We’re offering the same caliber of spine surgery you’d find in a major academic center—right here in town.”

Over $750,000 in Advanced Surgical Technology

That vision became a reality when DeTar Healthcare System committed over $750,000 in technology and operating room advancements, including the addition of a new spine surgery table, specialized retractors, contracted neuromonitoring systems and high-resolution surgical microscopes. These tools give Dr. Moody and his team the precision needed for minimally invasive spine surgery, targeted decompressions, cervical and lumbar disc replacements and advanced care for degenerative spine conditions, spinal trauma and complex disorders.

“This is a huge step forward for the Crossroads region,” said Margaret Schaar, R.N., director of the operating room at DeTar Healthcare System. “People no longer have to choose between staying close to home and getting the best possible care—they can have both.”

Matthew Riceberg, CST, certified surgical technologist in the DeTar OR, echoed that sentiment, noting his experience in opening and equipping operating rooms across Texas. “Having been part of setting up ORs in other hospitals, I knew exactly what equipment would make the biggest impact here in Victoria,” Riceberg said. “It’s rewarding to bring that knowledge to the table and ensure that when Dr. Moody arrived, we were fully prepared with specialized instrumentation and positioning devices to deliver the highest level of spine care.”

Schaar added, “Not only have we made this significant investment in specialized instruments, positioning devices and the high level microscope, but also our experienced OR staff is prepared for any type of spine case.”

Personalized Plans and Patient-Centered Philosophy

With these resources in place, Dr. Moody can offer a broad spectrum of spine care—ranging from non-surgical treatments to modern surgical procedures—all built around the individual needs of each patient.

“Spine surgery isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Dr. Moody said. “It requires listening, planning and using the least invasive, most effective techniques possible. We don’t just treat pain—we restore motion, strength and long-term function.”

Dr. Moody’s approach is rooted in his belief that patients should be treated like family. It’s a value that guides every step of his care—from initial evaluation through recovery. “Being a father has shaped how I treat patients,” he said. “When someone walks into my office, I see them the way I’d see my own mom or dad, my wife, my kids. What would I want for them? That’s the question that drives every decision I make.”

Surgery When It’s Right—and Only When It’s Right

While Dr. Moody is a skilled surgeon, he emphasizes that surgery is never the first step. His team works closely with local physical therapists, pain specialists, neurologists and other specialists to explore conservative treatment options like spinal rehab, core strengthening, posture correction, non-opioid medications and targeted injections.

When surgery is the best option, the goal is motion preservation—avoiding unnecessary spinal fusions when possible and maintaining natural function through advanced techniques.

“We’re doing procedures now that weren’t possible even five years ago,” he said. “With today’s technology, we can relieve nerve pressure, stabilize the spine and preserve mobility with smaller incisions and faster recovery times.”

Big-City Spine Surgical Capabilities Without the Big-City Travel

Victoria is now home to modern instrumentation and equipment in spine surgery—technologies that, until recently, were only available in metropolitan hospitals.

“The spine surgery table alone is a game changer,” said Schaar. “It often allows for safer positioning during surgery, better visualization for the surgeon and more efficient procedures. That can mean better outcomes and quicker recoveries for our patients.”

And for patients living in outlying towns across South Texas, this upgrade is more than just medical—it’s life-changing. “We’re talking about people who used to spend entire days driving to and from appointments, away from their families and their support systems,” Schaar added. “Now they can receive top-tier spine care without ever leaving the region. That’s something we’re incredibly proud to offer.”

Rooted in Community—At Work and At Home

For Dr. Moody and his wife Wylie, Victoria is more than just a workplace—it’s home. They moved to the area to raise their four daughters—Avery, Charlie, Riley, and Hadley—in a community where they could enjoy nature, connect with neighbors and build a life grounded in purpose and service.

“My wife Wylie and I wanted to raise our kids in a place where they could be outside, enjoy nature and be part of a close-knit community,” he said. “We love to hunt, fish and spend time outdoors as a family. And I wanted to be somewhere I could really make a difference—where I’m not just a doctor, I’m part of the community.”

The Right Care, Right Here in Victoria

With DeTar’s investment and Dr. Moody’s experience, spine patients no longer have to settle for outdated options or long trips for quality care. Victoria is now equipped with the people, the technology and the compassion to deliver modern spine surgery—safely, locally and personally.

“This is what community healthcare is all about,” Schaar said. “The right surgery, at the right time, with the right team—right here in Victoria at DeTar.”

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