Worldclass Headache Treatment

The Carolina Headache Institute (CHI) was founded by a dedicated group of academic subspecialists whose sole focus is Headache Medicine.  Combining multidisciplinary practice with compassionate, patient-centered care, we work to restore the quality of life of headache sufferers.
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Our Specialties

The Carolina Headache Institute specializes in the treatment of many headache conditions . 

Medical

​​​Chronic Migraine
Post-traumatic Headache
Menstrual Migraine
Cluster Headache
Daily Persistent Headache
Concussion Evaluations

Neuropsychological

Stress Management
Behavioral Therapy
Neuropsychological Testing
​Psychological Assessment

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Headache News, Tips and Announcements
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It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dr. John Douglas Mann. Throughout his rich history with our practice, Dr Mann offered compassionate care to patients, mentorship and leadership to colleagues, and kindness and generosity of spirit to all who knew him. He was well known and admired throughout academia as professor and clinician, and greatly contributed to medical research in a variety of ways. It was a privilege to work alongside him professionally, and a true honor to call him friend. His humor, gentility, brilliance, and love of life will truly be missed but never forgotten.
 
A celebration of Dr. Mann’s life will be held at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of his legacy to one of the following organizations:

-To make a donation to the Department of Neurology at UNC so they can continue their battle to improve the lives of those with neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s:  J. Douglas Mann - UNC Neurology:  https://unchf.org/johnmann.

-To make a donation to the UNC Program on Integrative Medicine:  Make a Gift to Program on Integrative Medicine https://give.unc.edu/donate?f=346208&p=mfye  or mail a check to the UNC PM&R Program on Integrative Medicine at 101 Manning Drive, CB7200, Rm# N1183, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7200.
​Dr. Anne Calhoun, Former Partner and Co-Founder of Carolina Headache Institute received the Lifetime Achievement Award.  The award was presented by the Southern Headache Society on September 9, 2022 at the yearly meeting held at the Grove Park Inn Asheville, NC.
From us to you; we hope you had a great Halloween!
Dr. Aurora Pajeau | Thank You, Dr. Pajeau
After seeing her final patients on July 30, 2026, Dr. Pajeau has officially retired from clinical practice.
When Dr. Pajeau joined Carolina Headache Institute in August 2022, she shared that she was nearing retirement but still wanted the opportunity to continue caring for patients and contributing her decades of experience. We were fortunate that she chose to spend those final years of her remarkable career with us.
Throughout her time at CHI, Dr. Pajeau brought exceptional clinical knowledge, thoughtful guidance, and a calm, compassionate presence to both her patients and our team. Her years of experience and dedication to neurology enriched our practice, and we are grateful for the expertise and perspective she shared every day.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Pajeau for her service to Carolina Headache Institute and for the lasting impact she has made on our patients, colleagues, and practice. It has been an honor to have her as part of the CHI family.
We wish Dr. Pajeau a happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement filled with time to enjoy family, friends, travel, and all the opportunities this exciting new chapter brings.

​​Emmey Cobb | 05/2026 Please join us in welcoming Emmey to the CHI team as our new Toxins Coordinator. Her experience in healthcare administration, patient communication and scheduling makes her a wonderful addition to our growing practice.

​Dr. Krystal Thompson, DNP FNP-BC | 05/2026 We’re excited to welcome our newest provider, Krystal! A doctorate-prepared Family Nurse Practitioner, she brings a strong clinical background and a dedication to patient-centered care.

Shannon Hayes, RN | 08/2025 We’re thrilled to welcome our new office nurse, Shannon! A highly accomplished BSN graduate and experienced clinical research and neuro/spine nurse, who brings a passion for patient care and a strong background in both clinical practice and research.
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​Amanda Kay, RN | 08/2025 With CHI since its inception, Amanda has transitioned from administration to nursing and is now advancing her career by pursuing a DNP, with plans to return to us as a DNP upon graduation. Wishing her the best of luck!

Ashley Barham, FNP-C | Joined 10/2023
​Nicole Rothman, FNP-C | Joined 08/2020