Dr. Sheri Donaldson,
PT, DPT, NCS
Specialized physical therapy and facial neuromuscular retraining for Bell's palsy, synkinesis, and complex facial nerve disorders.
Expert in Neuromuscular Retraining
Dr. Sheri Donaldson exudes a passion and skill for all things neurological. She is a Board-Certified Neurologic Specialist who is internationally trained in both Neuromuscular Facial Retraining and Vestibular Rehabilitation. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Creighton University in 1997.
She has treated people with balance and vestibular issues, inner ear tumors, and injuries for more than 25 years. Throughout her career, she developed the Vestibular Rehabilitation program at a renowned neurological institute where she specialized in the treatment of Vestibular Disorders, Movement Disorders, Concussion, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Why This Matters For You
Recovering facial function requires highly specialized physical therapy. Dr. Donaldson’s decades of specialized experience in the delicate intersection of the facial and vestibular nerves mean she can provide the highly targeted, personalized neuromuscular retraining necessary to improve symmetry, reduce synkinesis, and restore confidence.
A Deeply Personal Mission
"I wanted to do more for patients experiencing facial paralysis, much like my own grandmother. This deeply personal connection drives my commitment to every patient I treat."
Dr. Sheri Donaldson
Dr. Donaldson came to the Facial Nerve by way of her first neurological love, the vestibular system. In graduate school, she was assigned the Facial Nerve to study and provide a teaching practicum to her doctoral program. But her interest goes back even farther.
Prior to graduate school, her dear grandmother suffered Bell's Palsy with resultant facial paralysis and synkinesis. She regularly visited her grandmother and took her out for breakfast after church. It broke her heart that her grandmother was embarrassed to eat in restaurants due to her facial "spasms" and "crocodile tears" that would occur while chewing her food.
She wanted to do more for patients who had resultant facial paralysis, much like her grandmother. Thus, she immersed herself in intensive study with her mentor, a world-renowned specialist in Neuromuscular Facial Retraining. Today, Dr. Donaldson continues with international membership and training with specialty groups following the latest advances in treatment.
Additionally, her background in dance and performing arts, specifically Ballet, made Vestibular Physical Therapy a natural fit, allowing her to approach movement and rehabilitation with a uniquely intuitive perspective.