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Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association announces new director
The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association International announced the appointment of industry veteran Gary Esterow as executive director.
The multidisciplinary group encompasses nearly 1,100 professionals dedicated to advancing the art and science of rehabilitation from neurological and cognitive injuries and disabled individuals, according to a press release from NORA.
“Gary is a seasoned and accomplished communications professional with an earned reputation for collaboration and building strategic partnerships with key influencers,” Susan Daniel, OD, NORA president, said in the release. “His experience will be an asset to NORA as we look to increase awareness and understanding of the role of neuro-optometric rehabilitation services among neurologically/cognitively injured individuals and their families/care givers and encourage an interdisciplinary approach among health care professionals and others who play important roles as members of the rehabilitation team.”
She added that an estimated 2.8 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year, and about 75% of these patients will experience visual symptoms.
“Each brain injury is unique, so an interdisciplinary, integrated team approach can play a vital role in the rehabilitation of patients with concussions, stroke or other neurological deficits to improve visual skills and functioning for daily living,” Daniel continued in the release.
In addition to optometrists, rehabilitation team members may include nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical medicine and rehab physicians, neurologists, neuropsychologists, audiologists and ophthalmologists, according to the release.
Esterow will assume the executive director position on a part-time basis, while still operating Esterow Communications, LLC, a consulting agency he established in 2016 following a 24-year career at Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
While at JNJ, he held a number of communications leadership positions across the company’s consumer, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, including more than a decade as senior director, global communications & public relations, and a member of the North America Leadership Team at JNJ Vision Care.