UNC Facial Nerve Center

04/09/2026

The facial nerve can be cut from trauma, or sometimes during surgery. While repairing the injury restores nerve input to the facial muscles, patients will typically suffer from severe synkinesis due to miswiring of the facial nerve. This patient came to the UNC Facial Nerve Center after facial nerve repair at an outside hospital. After facial therapy, Botox, DAO myectomy, and selective neurectomy surgery, she is now smiling again!

04/07/2026

Read Liz Lokre's incredible story about how she has learned to live with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

Meet some of the patients who survived Ramsay Hunt syndrome and read their empowering stories.

03/17/2026

On September 19, 2026, the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation is hosting the first ever in person gathering to support Ramsay Hunt Syndrome patients and caregivers. It is going to be in Chapel Hill! Registration is now open.

On September 19, the 2026 Face Forward Patient Support Summit will bring together patients, caregivers, clinicians and advocates for an inspiring day of connection, education, and empowerment for everything Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

02/16/2026

Happy Birthday to Dr. Miller!!

He enjoyed the winter weather this weekend, and is spending his birthday today in the OR with his team and patient, there is nowhere else he would rather be today! Have a wonderful birthday!

01/20/2026

Today we said bye to Dr. Fabian Peralta who spent the last two weeks visiting the UNC Facial Nerve Center from Peru! Best of luck with your continued training!

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays from the UNC Facial Nerve Center team! Thank you for an amazing 2025 and we are looking forward to an even better 2026. Have a safe and joyful holiday season!

12/02/2025

Never before has there been an in-person gathering where Ramsay Hunt Syndrome patients from all around can meet for patient advocacy, education, and support. The Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation is changing this! The foundation will be putting on the RHSF Patient Summit: Face Forward 2026 (details to come early in the New Year!). Please consider donating on Giving Tuesday to support this extremely important cause.

Giving Tuesday Campaign

11/21/2025

Happy Friday! Listen to a recent podcast featuring Dr. Miller talking about long-term outcomes after DAO excision/myectomy. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vFKyAd8QrNrKBMyVI2X0v?si=qxfL4bMFSPaC6uVu18e-vA

About the Face · Episode

11/11/2025

Behind every smile affected by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Bell’s palsy, and other causes of facial paralysis is a story of strength — and often, silent struggles with mental health. People with facial paralysis face greater risks of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. That’s why we’re so excited to share a new mental health page by Dr. Corah Lewis, a UK clinical psychologist dedicated to supporting people living with facial paralysis, now live on the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation website.
https://www.ramsayhuntfoundation.org/mental-health

Email from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation Explore practical ways to care for your mind while navigating Ramsay Hunt syndrome.  Vol. 1, No. 7 November 2025 Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Foundation Newslet

09/27/2025

The International Facial Nerve Symposium has come to a close. The meeting had 666 clinicians attending from 52 countries and 5 continents. The motivation for everyone is simple, we need to keep working to improve treatment options for patients with facial paralysis! We look forward to seeing you back in the US!

09/25/2025

We are halfway through the 15th International Facial Nerve Symposium and the UNC Facial Nerve Center team has been busy! We have discussed how to better classify smiles in patients with synkinesis, long-term outcomes after DAO excision, and the need to improve standardization in facial nerve research. Of course we have celebrated our incredible team as well!

09/23/2025

The UNC Facial Nerve Center team is in Madrid this week at the 15th International Facial Nerve Symposium! This meeting occurs every 4 years and provides an opportunity for clinicians around the world to share ideas and strategies on how to improve treatment options for patients with facial paralysis.