PENN STATE OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
Division Update Winter 2016
PennStateHershey.org/otolaryngology
New Multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Disorders Clinic Opens in Hershey
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Facial weakness has a profoundly detrimental effect on quality-of-life. Patients often have difficulty communicating both verbally and non-verbally, which can be socially and physically debilitating. Due to asymmetries or unintended movements of various facial muscles, a patient’s inadvertent facial gestures may lead to misinterpretation of expressions. Vital functions such as eating, speaking and drinking may be limited for patients; common actions, such as blinking, brow lifting and smiling may lead to unpleasant facial movements. This can limit quality-of-life, decrease social interactions and, in some cases, cause social isolation. Caring for patients with facial nerve disorders is complex and typically requires multiple specialists for optimum outcomes. This past summer, in an effort to maximize the care of these patients, the multidisciplinary Facial Nerve Disorders Clinic at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center opened its doors to both pediatric and adult patients. As founder and clinic co-director, Jessyka Lighthall, MD, director of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, leads a team of two plastic and reconstructive surgeons, two therapists with advanced training in facial rehabilitation and a nurse coordinator. Other specialists involved include neurotology, head and neck surgery, adult and pediatric neurology, ophthalmology and neurosurgery. As a multidisciplinary program, patients may also obtain any necessary laboratory, imaging and electrodiagnostic studies that may be requested as part of their care. A goal of this new practice includes higher quality clinical outcomes for improved physical and emotional patient care.
For questions or to refer a patient, please call 717-531-1405. The Facial Nerve Disorders Team Jessyka G. Lighthall, MD Founder and Co-Director, Facial Nerve Disorders Clinic Director, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Donald R. Mackay, DDS, MD, FRCS, FACS, FAAP Co-Director, Facial Nerve Disorders Clinic William P. Graham III Professor of Plastic Surgery Professor of Surgery & Pediatrics Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery Vice Chair, Department of Surgery
Cathy Henry, MD Assistant Professor, Surgery Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Nicole Fisher, CCC /SLP, MS Facial Rehabilitation Specialist Speech Language Pathologist
Sue Keener, PT, BS, MBA Facial Rehabilitation Specialist Supervisor, Outpatient Physical Therapy
Marilyn Tayvinsky, LPN Nurse Coordinator