(PRESS RELEASE) CARLSBAD, CA — The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA), a multi-disciplined group of about 1,100 professionals dedicated to advancing the art and science of rehabilitation of neurologically and cognitively injured and disabled individuals, announced the appointment of industry veteran Gary Esterow as executive director.
“Gary is a seasoned and accomplished communications professional with an earned reputation for collaboration and building strategic partnerships with key influencers,” said NORA President Susan Daniel, OD. “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/caregivers and encourage an interdisciplinary approach among healthcare professionals and others who play important roles as members of the rehabilitation team.
“An estimated 2.8 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year and about 75 percent 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.”
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, ophthalmologists and others.
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. 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 effecting change in the area of eyecare as senior director, global communications and public relations, and a member of the North America Leadership Team at Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc.
“I am excited to join NORA and look forward to working with the Board of Directors, members, and others to educate optometrists and other professionals about Neuro-Optometric care and to providing affected individuals and caregivers with educational tools and resources to help them achieve optimum visual rehabilitation,” said Esterow.