Saturday, May 31
  1 p.m.—2:30 p.m. EDT (Toronto time)

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Patient:

Bryce Rudland, PT, ANAC Member (Canmore, AB)

Bryce is a passionate patient advocate within the acoustic neuroma community. A trained public healthcare physiotherapist living in Canmore, AB, Bryce's journey with acoustic neuroma began with increasing hearing loss on his left side, culminating in a diagnosis of a large left-sided tumour in March of last year. The tumour's location, impacting the brainstem, necessitated surgical resection.

In May 2024, Bryce underwent neurosurgery to remove the tumour. Post-operatively, he experienced full left-sided facial paralysis. Bryce's experience highlights the significant challenges of acoustic neuroma, including profound hearing loss and facial nerve involvement. He has navigated post-operative vestibular issues with physiotherapy care in Canmore and continues to receive treatment for facial paralysis in Calgary through the publicly-funded Community Accessible Rehabilitation program. Complications affecting his eye have required ongoing ophthalmological care and the use of a scleral lens, along with a gold-bar eyelid implant in September. To manage his hearing loss, Bryce uses a CROS hearing aid. In November, six months post-neurosurgery, Bryce underwent a complex cross-face nerve transplant, following the determination that the left facial nerve damage was permanent. While a full return of facial function is not possible, he is experiencing a gradual return of some movement.

This personal journey has ignited Bryce's desire to connect with and support others facing similar challenges. He is committed to raising awareness about acoustic neuromas, promoting patient-centered care, and advocating for the invaluable and passionate healthcare providers who support patients through this experience.

Speakers: 

Kristin Bell, PT, BScPT, Physiotherapist, Facial Neuromuscular Retraining Therapist
South Community Accessible Rehabilitation (CAR) (Calgary, AB)

Kristin Bell is a physical therapist currently working at the Community Accessible Rehabilitation program in Calgary, Alberta. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Alberta in 1993. In 2013, she completed her advanced training in Facial Neuromuscular Retraining (FNMR) with Susan Rankin and later assisted in instructing FNMR therapist training courses in 2017 and 2024.

Kristin is a member of the multidisciplinary team at the Calgary Facial Nerve Clinic. She is a member of ANAC and Facial Therapy Specialists International (FTSI). She regularly participates in continuing education focused on facial palsy care.

Working with individuals affected by facial palsy has been a particularly rewarding part of Kristin’s practice. She remains committed to improving her knowledge and skills for Facial Neuromuscular Retraining. Kristin aims to continue to advocate for improved access to best-practice treatment and reliable information for those diagnosed with facial palsy.

Megan Sherod, PhD, Neuropsychologist and Clinical Professor of Psychology
University of Central Florida (USA)

Dr. Megan Sherod is a Neuropsychologist and Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Trinity University and earned her Master of Science and Doctoral (PhD) degrees from the University of Florida. Dr. Sherod is a Licensed Psychologist and earned specialty certification in Neuropsychology, Neurorehabilitation, and Clinical Neuroscience. She has served on the Medical Advisory Board for the ANA USA since 2020 but has been involved with the AN/VS community throughout her 17 years of clinical practice.

Dr. Sherod has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings that include the University of Florida/Malcolm-Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida; the University of Alabama-Birmingham/Birmingham VA Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama; Spain Rehabilitation Center and the UAB Department of Neurology in Birmingham, Alabama; the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama; and Halifax Health and Brooks Rehabilitation in Daytona Beach, Florida, prior to beginning her faculty role and clinical service at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida in 2016.

In her free time, Dr. Sherod spends time hiking with her family, stand-up paddleboarding, woodworking, rescuing senior dogs and cats, and watching hockey.