Tributes to Jeff Bodington and Dr. Ramesh Babu, MD: Honoring Years of Service to the Facial Pain Association
The Facial Pain Association (FPA) tributes recognizing Jeff Bodington and Dr. Ramesh Babu, MD as they step down from the FPA’s Board of Directors. Their combined years of service helped strengthen education, advocacy, and support for people living with facial pain.
This post highlights the FPA’s announcement, adds context on the organization’s mission, and explains why Dr. Babu’s continued role on the FPA Medical Advisory Board matters for patients and families.
What is the Facial Pain Association?
The Facial Pain Association (FPA), formerly known as the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA), is a nonprofit focused on helping people impacted by trigeminal neuralgia and other neuropathic facial pain conditions through education, support networks, and advocacy.
The organization is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and a Medical Advisory Board made up of experts across specialties that touch facial pain care.
The FPA’s tributes: Jeff Bodington and Dr. Ramesh Babu
In the FPA’s tribute, the organization expressed appreciation for both outgoing board members and the impact they’ve had on the facial pain community.
Jeff Bodington’s leadership
According to the FPA tribute you shared, Jeff Bodington served on the board for more than 14 years and served as Board Chair (2012–2018), helping expand awareness, advocacy, and support networks for people living with facial pain.
The tribute also notes Jeff will continue supporting the mission as part of the FPA Emeritus Board.
Dr. Ramesh Babu’s clinical perspective
As a practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Babu brought the day-to-day reality of patient care to the board, helping ensure the organization’s work stayed grounded in what patients actually face.
The tribute you shared notes he served as a Board Director for more than 15 years and will remain involved as he transitions to the FPA Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Babu’s long-term involvement with the facial pain community
Dr. Babu’s connection to the FPA goes back years. In a published FPA profile, he described his goal of expanding awareness of how debilitating neuropathic facial pain can be and supporting research into unanswered questions around trigeminal neuralgia, including atypical presentations.
The FPA also lists and supports education efforts like conferences and patient resources, which is where experienced clinicians can make a real difference by translating complex science into practical guidance.
Why Dr. Babu is a strong fit for the FPA Medical Advisory Board
The FPA Medical Advisory Board is designed to bring clinical and scientific expertise into patient education and advocacy.
Dr. Babu’s background aligns closely with what patients need most from an advisory board: clear diagnosis pathways, treatment decision-making, and deep familiarity with facial pain procedures.
Advanced neurosurgical training and leadership in New York
Dr. Babu is Director of Neurosurgery at BronxCare Hospital Center and is listed as a neurological surgery specialist in the NYC Health + Hospitals system.
His BronxCare physician profile lists neurosurgery training that includes a residency at New York University and fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and in Hanover, Germany.
Focus on trigeminal neuralgia and cranial nerve compression syndromes
Public physician listings describe Dr. Babu’s clinical focus on trigeminal neuralgia and related cranial nerve compression conditions, which is central to the FPA’s mission and community needs.
Experience with complex facial pain and treatment decision tradeoffs
TN care often isn’t one-size-fits-all. Patients may face decisions across medication management, imaging interpretation, and procedures like MVD, radiosurgery, or percutaneous options. Clinicians who routinely evaluate these tradeoffs are exactly who you want shaping patient education and clinical guidance within an advocacy organization.
What this transition means for patients
Dr. Babu stepping from a governance role into a Medical Advisory Board role is meaningful: it keeps his involvement focused on what patients often need most from organizations like the FPA.
Better patient-facing education: clearer explanations of diagnosis, imaging, and treatment paths
Clinical accuracy: keeping resources aligned with real-world care standards and common pitfalls
A stronger bridge between patients and medicine: helping ensure the patient voice and the clinical reality stay connected
If you’re living with trigeminal neuralgia in NYC
If you’re searching for answers in New York City or want a clearer plan for next steps, our site has patient-friendly guides on:
Trigeminal neuralgia evaluation and treatment
Surgery options (MVD, radiosurgery, percutaneous procedures)
Second opinions (including record and imaging review)
FAQ
What is the Facial Pain Association (FPA)?
The Facial Pain Association (FPA) is a nonprofit advocacy and support organization for people living with neuropathic facial pain, including trigeminal neuralgia. They focus on education, support, and advocacy, and they also encourage research.
What conditions does the FPA support, including trigeminal neuralgia?
The FPA supports patients affected by trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and other forms of neuropathic facial pain. Their education and support resources are designed to help patients and families understand symptoms, find support, and navigate care.
What does the FPA Board of Directors do compared to the Medical Advisory Board?
The Board of Directors guides the organization’s mission and governance (the leadership and oversight side).
The Medical Advisory Board provides clinical and scientific expertise that helps shape accurate patient education, statements, and programs.
Why did Dr. Ramesh Babu step down from the FPA Board of Directors?
In the tribute you provided, the FPA shared that Dr. Babu is stepping down from the Board of Directors and transitioning to the Medical Advisory Board. The specific reason (for example, term completion, workload, or role shift) wasn’t stated, so it’s best to describe it as a planned transition.
How does Dr. Babu’s role on the FPA Medical Advisory Board help patients?
A Medical Advisory Board role keeps the focus on clinical guidance and education, which is directly useful to patients. For someone like Dr. Babu, that means helping ensure FPA resources reflect real-world care and the decision points patients face, including imaging, medication pathways, and procedures.
What should patients look for in a trigeminal neuralgia specialist or neurosurgeon?
Look for someone who:
Treats facial pain regularly and can explain the diagnosis clearly
Reviews MRI imaging (not just the written report) and can discuss what it means
Can walk you through the full set of options (medication and procedural paths) and the tradeoffs
Connects you to reputable patient education and support resources (like the FPA)
How can I get support or educational resources from the Facial Pain Association?
You can start with the FPA’s main site and support programs, including:
Support groups and volunteers: their Support Group finder and Support Network pages
Education and mission resources: FPA’s EndThePain mission pages
Research participation: the Facial Pain Registry (in partnership with NORD/IAMRARE)
