Heather Spader, MD is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon practicing at the University of Virginia (UVA). She is an Associate Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Her clinical practice includes all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery with an emphasis on epilepsy and craniofacial surgery.
Dr Spader earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Political and Social Thought. After working for the Advisory Board Foundation in the Philippines for two years, she decided to attend medical school and obtained her medical degree from the University of South Dakota.
She completed her general surgery internship and neurosurgery residency at Brown University. She then completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Utah.
Prior to joining UVA Health in 2023, she was Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Dr Spader has a strong interest in global neurosurgery and has worked with hospitals in the Philippines and Ethiopia to help build capacity as well as help to train neurosurgeons. She has also worked to create more opportunities for neurosurgical residents in the US to train in other countries to broaden their horizons.
Dr Spader’s research interests include a strong interest in using advanced neuroimaging to help the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric neurosurgical diseases including hydrocephalus.
