{"id":8040,"date":"2025-07-07T09:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/?p=8040"},"modified":"2025-07-03T09:25:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T13:25:10","slug":"meet-dr-bradley-spieler-surfing-radiologist-new-orleans-enthusiast-and-the-newest-addition-to-unc-emergency-imaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/2025\/07\/meet-dr-bradley-spieler-surfing-radiologist-new-orleans-enthusiast-and-the-newest-addition-to-unc-emergency-imaging\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Dr. Bradley Spieler: Surfing Radiologist, New Orleans Enthusiast, and the Newest Addition to UNC Emergency Imaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Department of Radiology is thrilled to welcome\u00a0Dr. Bradley Spieler<\/strong>, Professor of Radiology, to the Emergency Imaging Division. With roots in New Orleans and footprints in Honolulu, New York, and beyond, Dr. Spieler brings with him not only deep clinical expertise, but a vibrant spirit that embodies generosity, adventure, and heart.<\/p>\n

Although his official role is fully remote, Dr. Spieler plans to maintain a hybrid presence\u2014making time to be on-site at UNC throughout the year. \u201cI told them from the beginning\u2014I want to be there. I want to be part of the team,\u201d he shared. \u201cThis position might be virtual, but my commitment to the department is anything but.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Lifelong Calling, Reimagined<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Spieler\u2019s journey into medicine began with a child-sized set of reindeer antlers and a deep love for service. As a young boy, he accompanied his mother on volunteer shifts at Children\u2019s Hospital in New Orleans, especially during the holidays. Those early experiences shaped his original dream of becoming a pediatrician\u2014until his pediatric rotation in medical school revealed a heartbreaking truth: he could no longer simply be the “fun guy” once he wore the white coat. \u201cI realized I wouldn\u2019t be able to be the kind of pediatrician I had always envisioned. That was a really tough pivot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fortunately, it was during that same rotation that radiology revealed itself as his true calling. In a collective effort diagnosing a case of necrotizing enterocolitis in a newborn using imaging, he had an \u201caha\u201d moment\u2014he could still be involved in pediatric care and play a pivotal role in patient outcomes, just in a different way.<\/p>\n

Radiology, he realized, was a beautiful intersection of so many disciplines \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he loved: surgery, emergency care, pediatrics, urology, gastroenterology, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and internal medicine amongst others. \u201cRadiology is the one specialty that allows you to dip your toes into all the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawn to UNC by People and Possibility<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Dr. Spieler had offers from other institutions, it was the culture and vision of UNC Radiology that won him over. A conversation with Dr. John Nazarian, Emergency Radiology Division Chief, was a turning point. \u201cIt became less about the workflow and more about the people,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re a progressive, collaborative, forward-thinking group, and I felt like I belonged from the very first call.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was also inspired by the department\u2019s emphasis on faculty wellness, autonomy, and development\u2014an ethos that mirrors his own leadership style. \u201cI\u2019m not here to steal anyone\u2019s light. I\u2019m here to help others shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s particularly excited to contribute to faculty development and support residents as they grow into confident, independent radiologists. \u201cI believe in letting residents fly solo, with me as the co-pilot. The ER is the perfect place for them to build confidence and autonomy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond the Reading Room: A Life of Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Spieler wears many hats\u2014radiologist, professor, nonprofit founder, global health advocate, husband, and dad. In New Orleans, he leads\u00a0Saints Fans Being Saints<\/em>, a charitable program through the Spirit of Charity Foundation that ensures hospitalized children, and their families have access to holiday gifts, art supplies, and joyful moments during difficult times. \u201cIt\u2019s especially important in non-pediatric hospitals, where resources for kids are often lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n

He’s also eager to volunteer at the new UNC Children\u2019s Hospital and continue giving back through global health efforts. Next year, he hopes to \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0travel to Kenya to teach ultrasound and X-ray interpretation at Kilimanjaro Mission Hospital, an initiative aligned with UNC Radiology\u2019s past global health missions. \u201cIt\u2019s about empowering others to care for their communities long after we\u2019ve left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Off the Clock: Surf, Soul, and the Saints<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask Dr. Spieler how he recharges, and he lights up. He\u2019s a yoga enthusiast, a world traveler, a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan, and a proud dad to three kids. Surfing is his newest ambition\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 , especially since finally catching a wave all the way to shore in Kauai, an unforgettable moment shared with his father-in-law, wife, and newborn son. \u201cThat was the moment I got hooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he\u2019s not working or volunteering, he\u2019s supporting local artists, musicians, and culture bearers in New Orleans, traveling with his family, or planning events such as a tailgate or \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0crawfish boil with loved ones\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 .<\/p>\n

His life mantra? \u201cLaissez les bons temps rouler.<\/em>\u00a0Let the good times roll.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

While he\u2019ll be logging in remotely from New Orleans (or perhaps a surfboard in Oahu), Dr. Spieler is\u00a0all in<\/em>\u00a0on UNC. \u201cI’m deeply committed to being an active, visible, and contributing member of this department. Professionally and personally, I want to be someone my colleagues can count on.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his blend of clinical excellence, academic passion, and wholehearted generosity, Dr. Spieler is sure to make waves\u2014not just on the shoreline, but across UNC Radiology.<\/p>\n

Welcome, Dr. Spieler\u2014we\u2019re lucky to have you on board.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Department of Radiology is thrilled to welcome\u00a0Dr. Bradley Spieler, Professor of Radiology, to the Emergency Imaging Division. With roots in New Orleans and footprints in Honolulu, New York, and beyond, Dr. Spieler brings with him not only deep clinical expertise, but a vibrant spirit that embodies generosity, adventure, and heart. Although his official role … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83776,"featured_media":8041,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[83,91,92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-department-news","category-homepage-news","category-in-the-news","odd"],"acf":[],"featured_image":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1384\/2025\/07\/bradley-spieler.jpg","featured_image_medium":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1384\/2025\/07\/bradley-spieler-300x171.jpg","featured_image_medium_large":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1384\/2025\/07\/bradley-spieler.jpg","featured_image_large":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1384\/2025\/07\/bradley-spieler.jpg","featured_image_thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1384\/2025\/07\/bradley-spieler-150x150.jpg","featured_image_alt":"A male with dark brown hair and eyes smiles at the camera. He is wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and purple tie. He is standing against a white wall.","category_details":[{"name":"Department News","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/category\/department-news\/"},{"name":"Homepage News","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/category\/homepage-news\/"},{"name":"IN THE NEWS","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/category\/department-news\/in-the-news\/"}],"tag_details":[],"_links_to":[],"_links_to_target":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83776"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8040"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8042,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8040\/revisions\/8042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/radiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}