2026 Facial Nerve Symposium: Celebrating Growth, Collaboration & Innovation
The 2026 3rd Annual Facial Nerve Symposium, hosted by Pacific Neuroscience Institute and Pacific Facial Disorders Center Director Amit Kochhar, MD, brought together a remarkable community of clinicians, therapists, and trainees dedicated to improving care for patients with facial paralysis. What started as a small specialty gathering has now become a yearly tradition that continues to grow in reach, expertise, and impact.
This year, we were honored to welcome participants from across the United States and around the world—including Canada, Poland, Kenya, Germany, and Mexico—reflecting the global interest in advancing facial nerve care.
A Strong Start: Didactic Learning & Expert Insight
Day One focused on didactic lectures, expert presentations, and collaborative case discussions. National leaders in facial nerve disorders covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Foundational and updated facial nerve anatomy
- Acute and chronic facial paralysis management
- Innovations in facial reanimation surgery
- Understanding and treating facial synkinesis
- Approaches to eye protection and long‑term functional outcomes
- Complex case panels that allowed faculty to share strategies, challenges, and pearls
A highlight of the day was our invited guest speaker, Kofi Boahene, MD, from Johns Hopkins Medicine, who shared invaluable expertise with attendees. The energy in the room reflected both curiosity and a shared commitment to improving patient quality of life.
Day Two: Hands-On Workshops, Live Demonstrations & Cadaver Lab
While Day One built the foundation, Day Two brought those concepts to life through immersive, interactive learning.
The morning began at Saint John’s Cancer Institute with a highly anticipated live patient demonstration of Botox injections for facial synkinesis performed by course director, Dr. Kochhar. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to observe real-time decision‑making, technique, and patient interaction.
The program then expanded into rehabilitation-focused lectures led by expert physical therapists and speech-language pathologists, covering:
- Strategies for early rehabilitation in acute paralysis
- Techniques and approaches for post‑reanimation therapy
- Hands‑on stretching and movement exercises designed to give attendees practical tools they can use immediately
The day concluded with our cadaver lab, conducted in our state-of-the-art neuroanatomy lab, providing participants with rare hands-on experience in advanced facial nerve dissection and surgical techniques. This closing session remains one of the most valuable components of the course, emphasizing the balance of theory, clinical application, and procedural skill.
Recognizing Our Supporters
We extend our deepest thanks to this year’s sponsors for their generous support:
Axogen, Checkpoint Surgical, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Everis, and the Linda Tallen & David Paul Kane Educational & Research Foundation.
We are equally grateful to our dedicated medical assistant volunteers, who played an essential role in ensuring the event ran smoothly.
A Community That Continues to Grow
One of the most rewarding parts of the Facial Nerve Symposium is the sense of community it builds. As the course coordinator, it is inspiring to see familiar faces return and new ones join us each year—creating a diverse network of individuals working together to improve patient outcomes across the globe.
The collaboration across specialties—ENT, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and advanced practice providers—remains at the heart of the symposium’s success.
Who Should Join Us Next Year?
This course welcomes a wide range of professionals, including:
- Physicians in practice
- Residents and fellows
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapists
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Discounted rates are available for allied health professionals and trainees.
Looking Ahead: 2027 Facial Nerve Symposium
Our 2027 invited guest speaker will be Gregory Borschel, MD, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Riley Hospital for Children. Dr. Borschel is internationally recognized for his work in pediatric nerve injuries, corneal neurotization, congenital hand conditions, facial paralysis, and microvascular reconstruction. His extensive research continues to shape the future of nerve regeneration and reconstructive outcomes.
Join Us in Sunny Santa Monica
Thank you to everyone—speakers, attendees, volunteers, and sponsors—who helped make the 2026 symposium our most successful yet. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another inspiring weekend of learning, innovation, and community.
Learn more about the facial nerve disorders program.
About Dr. Amit Kochhar
Amit Kochhar, MD, is double board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is a director of the Facial Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, specializing in facial nerve conditions.
