Our Team
The Facial Paralysis Treatment Center is the first interdisciplinary team of health care providers offering state-of-the-art tools and expertise to comprehensively treat individuals suffering with facial paralysis and Bell's Palsy in Minnesota and beyond.
Sofia Lyford-Pike, MD
Dr. Lyford-Pike is a highly accomplished and skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She treats acute trauma patients and performs advanced procedures to restore the form and function of the head and neck, focusing on regaining patients’ facial expression. In addition to performing surgeries, Dr. Lyford-Pike is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Minnesota.
EDUCATION
- University of Maryland, College Park, Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and Physiology
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Medical Doctor
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Residency
- Dr. Peter Hilger M.D., University of Minnesota, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fellowship
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- American Board of Otolaryngology
- MOC in Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Recertification
- MOC in Otolaryngology
Elizabeth Koop, RN
Elizabeth grew up in Eagan, MN, and graduated from St. Catherine University with a degree in nursing. She worked at the University of Minnesota Medical Center for 15 years on the Neuroscience unit, specializing in Neurology, Neurosurgery and ENT. In 2019, Elizabeth decided to pursue the clinic side of nursing when Dr. Lyford-Pike approached her about needing a nurse. Elizabeth joined the team and became the RN Care Coordinator for Dr. Lyford-Pike and the clinic manager of the Hilger Face Center. In August of 2022, Elizabeth stepped down from the role of clinic manager at the Hilger Face Center in order to devote more of her time and attention to patient care. Elizabeth is married with three kids and loves to spend time with family and friends and attending her kids’ many sporting events and activities.
Heather Erickson, MS, CCC-SLP | Speech Language Pathologist
Heather grew up in West St. Paul, MN, and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders. She received her Master's Degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. Her clinical fellowship was spent at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center focusing on evaluation and treatment of a variety of diagnoses for our veterans. Heather worked in various clinical settings in the Phoenix area prior to returning home to Minnesota in 2014. She joined the University of Minnesota Ear, Nose and Throat clinic in 2015 working with a variety of head and neck cancer and dysphagia patients. In 2023, Heather joined the Facial Paralysis Rehab team and now works alongside Dr. Lyford-Pike to help maximize movement following facial nerve injury. Heather is married with three sons. She enjoys spending time traveling with her family, trips to the boundary waters canoe area and camping.
EDUCATION:
- Undergraduate: St. Cloud State University
- Masters: Northern Arizona University
- Clinical Fellowship: Carl T Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center
Joslyn Kahn, CCC-SLP, MS, Speech Language Pathologist
Joslyn grew up in Peoria, IL, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Speech-Language Pathology. She received her Master's Degree from Rush University in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her clinical fellowship was spent at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with a focus on stroke recovery. Joslyn has worked in various clinical settings in both Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA in all areas of speech and swallowing for a variety of different diagnoses. In 2016, Joslyn moved to Minnesota and in 2022 started her career at the University of Minnesota Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. In 2023, Joslyn joined the Facial Paralysis Rehab team and now works alongside Dr. Lyford-Pike to help maximize movement following facial nerve injury. Joslyn is married with two daughters. She loves spending her time with family and friends, traveling, skiing and running.
EDUCATION:
- Undergraduate: University of Iowa
- Masters: Rush University
- Clinical Fellowship: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Tina Huang, MD
Dr. Huang is an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat), Neurotologist, and an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
EDUCATION:
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- University of Minnesota (Otolaryngology)
- New York University (Neurotology)