The UNC Department of Urology is proud to announce the well-deserved promotion of Dr. Brad Figler to Clinical Professor, effective April 1, 2024. This promotion is a recognition of Dr. Figler’s exceptional contributions and his commitment to patient care, education, and scholarly pursuits – embodying the values of our department.
Dr. Figler is widely recognized for his dedication to excellence in clinical care, particularly in the field of genitourinary reconstructive surgery. With a robust practice that consistently surpasses national benchmarks, Dr. Figler has made significant strides in providing exceptional care to patients across the Southeast.
Dr. Figler received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and completed his residency training in Urology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Following residency, he completed a two-year fellowship in Genitourinary Trauma and Male Reconstruction at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center with Dr. Hunter Wessells, a pioneer in the field. During this time, Dr. Figler also worked at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, where he pursued an interest in health services research.
After his fellowship training, Dr. Figler worked at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he founded and directed the Division of Reconstructive Urology.
In 2016, Dr. Figler joined UNC as an Associate Professor of both Urology and Plastic Surgery. In July 2022, he started the fellowship in Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, and currently serves as the Fellowship Director.
Dr. Figler’s time at UNC has been characterized by pioneering efforts in establishing innovative multidisciplinary programs, addressing critical needs for underserved populations. Under his leadership, the programs have experienced remarkable growth, serving as a beacon of inclusive healthcare.
In addition to his contributions to clinical practices, Dr. Figler has demonstrated a commitment to scholarly excellence with a prolific publication record and numerous speaking engagements both nationally and internationally. His passion for education is evident in his role as a clinician-educator, where he has received accolades for his superlative teaching efforts and dedication to student engagement.
Dr. Figler’s promotion to Professor of Urology comes as no surprise to those who have had the privilege of working with him. Colleagues and mentors have shared their thoughts on his many notable contributions:
“He is a colleague that I am sure brings pride to his department, training program, and institution. He embodies the mission of UNC Health to “improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians,” in particular through advancing the quality of patient care provided to the general population of North Carolina as well as particular populations that have had difficulty accessing adequate care in the past. He is the kind of person and physician that repeatedly exceeds expectations in his dedication to patients, and he makes everyone around him better through his dedication to teaching, service, and research.”
“His efforts have made important and indelible positive contributions to student, resident, and fellow trainees, and his presentations at regional and national symposia and conferences have provided excellent educational content to peers and trainees from other institutions.”
“He has made important contributions in the area of genital reconstructive surgery, driven by clinical excellence, expertise, and volume. This includes enrollment in key clinical trials… surgical innovation; and strong evidence of teaching and scholarship.”