At the Center for Facial and Functional Recovery, our clinicians bring decades of combined experience and complementary expertise to the treatment of facial palsy, synkinesis, TMD, and related functional conditions. We believe successful facial rehabilitation requires careful observation, specialized hands-on skills, individualized treatment, and an understanding of the whole person—not simply the face.
Jodi Maron Barth, PT, CCI
Cofounder
Jodi Maron Barth is a nationally and internationally recognized physical therapist with over 45 years of practice, specializing in facial palsy, synkinesis, and TMD rehabilitation.
Her comprehensive approach incorporates facial neuromuscular retraining, extensive manual therapy, dry needling, graded motor imagery, biofeedback, and specialized TMD techniques. Jodi is a published author, national and international speaker, and APTA Certified Clinical Instructor. Her passion is helping patients understand their condition, navigate recovery, and achieve their greatest potential for facial function.
Gincy Lockhart Stezar, PTA, CCI
Cofounder
Gincy Lockhart Stezar is a physical therapist assistant with over 24 years of practice and extensive experience in facial neuromuscular retraining, synkinesis, TMD, and postural rehabilitation.
Known for her compassionate and detail-oriented approach, Gincy combines skilled observation with individualized treatment to help patients improve facial movement and function. She has presented nationally and internationally on facial palsy, graded motor imagery, TMD, and postural rehabilitation and is an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor.
Carl Chua, PT, CCI
Licensed Physical Therapist
Carl Chua is a physical therapist with over 22 years of practice and specialized expertise in facial palsy, TMD, orthopedic, and sports rehabilitation.
Carl combines facial neuromuscular retraining with manual therapy, dry needling, myofascial release, movement assessment, and functional strengthening. His ability to evaluate the relationship between the face, jaw, neck, posture, and overall movement supports the Center’s comprehensive approach to recovery. Carl has presented nationally and internationally on facial palsy, TMD, and spinal disorders and is an APTA Certified Clinical Instructor.
Jennifer Akman, DPT, OCS
Licensed Physical Therapist
Dr. Jennifer Akman is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with over 16 years of practice and a special interest in facial palsy and TMD rehabilitation.
Jennifer brings a strong orthopedic perspective to facial recovery, with expertise in biomechanics, posture, movement, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. She incorporates manual therapy, dry needling, biomechanical assessment, and myofascial techniques into individualized treatment. Jennifer earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University and holds a Sports Therapy Diploma from the International Olympic Committee.
Lauren Melito, PT, DPT, GCS, CLT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Dr. Lauren Melito is a physical therapist with over 12 years of practice in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation and a special interest in facial palsy rehabilitation.
Lauren brings qualities especially valuable in facial recovery—a careful eye for subtle movement patterns, skilled hands-on assessment, patience, and an individualized approach to each patient. She incorporates manual therapy, dry needling, myofascial release, and therapeutic exercise to address muscle tightness, mobility, coordination, and function. Lauren is a Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Temple University.
Luis A. Miranda
Director of Business Operations
Luis Miranda brings over 20 years of experience supporting physical therapy practices and has been an integral part of the Center since 2014.
As Director of Business Operations, Luis helps ensure that each patient’s experience reflects the Center’s commitment to compassionate, coordinated, and individualized care. His dedication to patients and staff helps create the supportive environment that is central to the Center’s philosophy.
Gabriel Gamez
Administrative Assistant
Gabriel Gamez brings over 3 years of experience providing warm and professional administrative support.
As an Administrative Assistant, Gabriel assists patients with scheduling, questions, and navigating the appointment process. Often one of the first points of contact at CFFR, Gabriel is committed to making every patient feel welcomed, informed, and supported throughout their experience with the Center.
Affiliated Medical Professionals
Michael J. Reilly, MD
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery / Facial Reanimation
Dr. Michael Reilly is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in facial rehabilitation and reanimation following facial nerve injury.
His clinical interests include restoring facial movement and function, repairing facial deformities, and advancing multidisciplinary approaches to facial recovery. His research includes the role of physical therapy in facial rehabilitation, complementing CFFR’s collaborative approach to facial recovery.
Kalpash Vakharia, MD, MS
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Kalpash Vakharia is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with expertise in facial paralysis, facial reconstruction, and surgical and nonsurgical restoration of facial function and appearance.
His extensive training in facial plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and reconstructive surgery provides an important surgical perspective for patients with complex facial nerve and reconstruction needs.
Natalie Justicz, MD
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery / Facial Nerve Reanimation
Dr. Natalie Justicz is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of acute and chronic facial paralysis.
Her clinical interests include facial reanimation following nerve injury or trauma, treatment of synkinesis following Bell’s palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and reconstruction of acquired facial deformities.