The Art of Listening Award honors a health professional who models the importance of caring, receptive professionals in the lives of individuals and families living with genetic conditions.

Ronald Zuker, MD, a plastic surgeon based in Toronto, Canada has been affiliated with the Moebius Syndrome Foundation (MSF) since its inception in 1994. Known for pioneering the grascillis muscle surgery (“smile surgery”) in 1997, Dr. Zuker’s work had benefited countless children throughout the world living with Moebius syndrome. His patients view him as a model physician who takes time with each patient and family to explain the procedure carefully, answers any questions, and simply listens. A member of the MSF states, “I’m always amazed at the time he takes with each person who wants to talk to him. At our conferences, he gets down on his knees to talk to the children, plays with them, and never turns away anyone who wants to talk to him. He’s even missed airplane flights because he won't tell people he doesn’t have the time to talk to them.”

Genetic Alliance is proud to honor Ronald with the Art of Listening Award for understanding the importance of listening as an invaluable key to understanding and for his ability to ease the difficult—often
frustrating—journey faced by individuals and families dealing with the uncertainties and ambiguities of a genetic condition. Thank you, Dr. Zuker.