Our team is here for you

Jodi is one of only a handful of recognized facial palsy therapists in the United States. She is a licensed physical therapist with 40 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation with a specialization in outpatient rehab. Jodi’s wide range of clinical experience has provided her with the tools to perform in-depth, comprehensive physical therapy evaluations and treatments using dry needling, graded motor imagery, biofeedback, extensive manual therapy, TMJ Rocabado techniques, and more. She is a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally in the areas of TMD (jaw symptoms), facial palsy, postural dysfunction, and performance enhancement for the vocal artist. 

Jodi is a published author and certified clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and has served on the APTA House of Delegates for the past three years. She is also a faculty research assistant at the University of Maryland. Jodi is a graduate of the Ithaca College PT program and attended the Master of Science program at Adelphi University in the area of exercise physiology. 

Gincy is a licensed physical therapist assistant with more than 18 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation. For the past 16 years, she has collaborated with Jodi Barth specializing in facial neuromuscular retraining, postural restoration, and TMD. Prior to that, Gincy worked for eight years at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as the clinic fitness director. 

Gincy has presented both nationally and internationally on facial palsy, postural restoration, graded motor imagery, and TMD rehabilitation. She is a certified clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and is presently serving as an alternate to the APTA House of Delegates. She is also a faculty research assistant at the University of Maryland. Gincy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of Maryland, as well as an associate’s degree in applied science as a physical therapist assistant at Montgomery College.

Carl has more than 15 years of experience working in the outpatient setting, primarily in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. Carl has a comprehensive treatment approach when it comes to his patients. He uses a multitude of interventions, from Rocabado techniques for TMD, facial neuromuscular retraining, strain/counter-strain, dry needling, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release, movement screens, functional strengthening, and taping to heal his patients and return them to their full potential. Carl has also presented at various conferences both nationally and internationally on facial palsy, TMD, and spine disorders. 

He is a graduate of the physical therapy program of the University of Santo Tomas. He is also a certified clinical instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association.

With more than a decade of experience, Nya enjoys helping our clients reach their physical therapy and wellness goals. She first honed her orthopedic examination and treatment skills in the Washington, DC, area. After a move to New York, she completed a vigorous two-year Pilates training and certification with BASI and STOTT Pilates; trained at The Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute to become a pelvic floor practitioner; and was a practitioner of Pilates-based physical therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation. Recently, Nya completed additional myofascial release training. 

As a proud mother, Nya is passionate about helping women navigate their perinatal wellness journey. Through her unique approach of combined traditional physical therapy and Pilates, she has been very successful in treating and maintaining her clients’ neuromusculoskeletal conditions. 

Nya graduated cum laude from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, the nation’s top physical therapy program as ranked by US News and World Report. 

Luis joined The Center for Facial Recovery in 2014. As practice manager, he ensures that every client receives the best care by providing a unique and positive experience. Luis has more than 20 years of experience supporting physical therapy practices. Prior to joining the CFFR, Luis managed regional clinics for the National Rehabilitation Hospital. He also had the privilege of owning and operating a remodeling business. Luis’ hard work and dedication to his clients helps create the supportive and compassionate environment at CFFR.

As a longtime Bell’s palsy patient, Maria is happy to be supporting the specialists who are working to advance facial palsy research and education through the Foundation. Maria is a veteran writer and editor with deep experience in the consumer and nonprofit spaces. She has worked within the full gamut of media outlets, including magazines, books, websites, newsletters, and newspapers. 

Maria has been on staff with publications from Rodale, Discovery Communications, Sidwell Friends School, the American Society of Association Executives and others. She also spent seven years as director of communications for Colorado’s largest foster care agency. She has interviewed and edited the work of hundreds of laypeople and specialists, including physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Emily is a fellow with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance as well as a certified stress management consultant with the American Institute of Health Care Professionals. She began her 35-year career working in the field of mental health at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at George Washington University. Sixteen years ago, Emily incorporated biofeedback into her practice and has since expanded her areas of expertise to include muscle reeducation for pain management and heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback for stress-related disorders. Individually, or in combination, these types of biofeedback can be highly effective for clients with stress-related conditions, migraines, and other chronic pain disorders. 

Emily completed two Master of Science degrees: one from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the other in mental health counseling from Walden University. She is a licensed graduate professional counselor in the state of Maryland. Additionally, she is a published author and was a principal neurofeedback therapist in Chicago’s Rush Presbyterian-St Luke’s Medical Center’s fibromyalgia study. 

Dr. Reilly is an assistant professor of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in the department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and Medstar Washington Hospital Center. His clinical interests include facial rehabilitation, facial reanimation after facial nerve damage, repair of facial deformities, and facial rejuvenation. 

Dr. Reilly’s research interests include the use of information technology to improve patient satisfaction and resident education; facial appearance and perceived personality; gender differences in facial aesthetics; and the role of physical therapy in facial rehabilitation. 

Dr. Reilly returned to Washington, DC, after completing a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the UCLA Medical Center. He is board-certified in both otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. Dr. Reilly received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, followed by a residency in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery at Georgetown University. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Reilly has volunteered regularly to perform cleft lip and palate surgery on children throughout Central and South America.

Dr. Vakharia is an expert in both surgical and nonsurgical techniques of facial rejuvenation and reconstruction. His areas of expertise and interest include skin fillers and Botox®, laser treatments such as laser resurfacing, face and neck lift surgery, cosmetic and functional surgery of the nose, eyelids and brows, external ear surgery, skin resurfacing, scar treatment, skin cancer and trauma reconstruction, head and neck reconstruction, microvascular reconstruction, and the treatment of facial paralysis. 

Dr. Vakharia is double board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). He earned undergraduate degrees in biochemistry and computer science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. He also earned a Master of Science in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. He went on to complete his medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco, in 2006. He completed a general surgical internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 2007. He then joined the Harvard Medical School Otolaryngology Residency Program and completed residency training in otolaryngology in 2011. Thereafter, he completed a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in 2012. After completing the fellowship, Dr. Vakharia joined the University of Maryland Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Yokel completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a focus on diagnostic and interventional ultrasound and sports medicine. He believes in an integrated approach that begins with a careful review of the history of the injury or pain. He then incorporates traditional physical examination and real time ultrasound to determine the exact cause of each individual patient’s pain or impaired function. His focus on sports medicine and regenerative treatments, as well as traditional procedures and rehabilitation, combine to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy most. 

After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Dr. Yokel went on to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He augmented his medical training with masters degrees in public health and business administration at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Yokel completed his 
internship at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore and his residency at the Georgetown University Hospital/National Rehabilitation Hospital training program, serving as chief resident in his final year and developing a research protocol for assessing the accuracy of ultrasound-guided injections. Following residency, he trained in interventional spinal procedures, regenerative procedures, and pain and occupational medicine.

Dr. Zatezalo relocated to the Washington, DC area in 2012 from the renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, ranked #1 by US News and World Report. After several years at Washington Eye, he now heads The Zatezalo Group, a combined oculofacial plastics and ophthalmology center. In addition to his work with the CFFR, he serves as a consultant for the Sanctuary Cosmetic Center. 

Dr. Zatezalo is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He specializes exclusively in plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, surrounding tissue, and upper face in addition to ophthalmology. His highly specialized training in both oculofacial plastics and ophthalmology allows him to understand the importance of the functional aspect of the eyelid and upper face while performing cosmetic surgery. 

His scope of practice includes facial cosmetic surgery, including facial rejuvenation; revisional surgeries; browplasty (forehead lift); blepharoplasty (lid lift); periocular cancers and reconstructions; tear drainage disorders; lid abnormalities and orbital oncology; inflammatory disorders; and anophthalmic sockets. Dr. Zatezalo also specializes in nonsurgical facial rejuvenation using neurotoxins such as Botox and Dysport and dermal fillers such as JuveDerm and Restylane, and scar revisions. 

He is a fellow both of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and completed a two-year accredited ASOPRS fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.