Heather S Spader, MD

As a pediatric neurosurgeon, Heather Stevens Spader, MD, has expertise in evaluating and treating a wide spectrum of childhood neurosurgical conditions.

With a compassionate approach and extensive clinical experience, Dr. Spader focuses on enhancing the lives of young patients facing complex challenges, such as brain and spinal cord tumors, craniosynostosis, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformations, and more.

Dr. Spader believes in a holistic approach to pediatric neurosurgery. She assembles interdisciplinary teams, working closely with fellow medical professionals and involving patients and their families in the decision-making process. This collaborative effort ensures that each child receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.

Drawing from her personal experiences as a patient and family member, Dr. Spader is committed to providing the highest quality of care. She understands the challenges and anxieties that come with having a child facing neurosurgical issues, and she strives to offer the same level of care she would expect for her own family.

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 further honed her expertise through 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 background in research, with a focus on advancing our understanding of pediatric neurosurgical conditions.

Her research interests include:

Advanced Neuroimaging: Dr. Spader's work in advanced neuroimaging aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for neurosurgical patients using quantitative neuroimaging techniques for mild traumatic brain injuries and hydrocephalus.

Global Pediatric Neurosurgery: Dr. Spader has dedicated significant research efforts to addressing global health issues, particularly in Ethiopia and the Philippines. Her work includes collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and addressing health disparities in resource-constrained settings.

Health Disparities: Dr. Spader’s research interest revolves around investigating the variances in head circumference growth curves across diverse racial and ethnic populations. This work is pivotal in advocating for more inclusive and culturally sensitive pediatric growth assessment approaches.

Clinical Interests

• Arachnoid cysts
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of brain and spine
• Astrocytoma Brachial plexus injury
• Brain tumors
• Spinal tumors
• Cavernous malformations
• Chiari malformations
• Craniopharyngioma
• Craniosynostosis
• Ependymoma
• Epilepsy
• Glioma
• Hydrocephalus
• Medulloblastoma
• Moyamoya disease
• Spasticity
• Spina bifida
• Tethered spinal cords
• Vascular malformations

Gender

Female

Languages

Spanish, English

Age Groups Seen

Infants (0-2)
Children (2-12)
Adolescents (12-21)

Primary Education

Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota

Residency

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Fellowships

University of Utah School of Medicine

Certification

American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurological Surgery)

Appointment

Division Chief - Pediatric Neurosurgery