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Volume 10, No. 2
Winter 2002
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, Internationa l
Executive Board
PRESIDENT
Brenda Heinke Montecalvo, OD
Beavercreek, OH (937) 320-0300
VICE PRESIDENT
Eric T. Ikeda, OD
Bellflower, CA (562) 925-6591
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
John A. Thomas, OD, MS
Wheat Ridge, CO (303) 421-4465
SECRETARY
Don P. Fong, OD
Sacramento, CA (916) 739-6260
TREASURER
Penelope S. Suter, OD
Bakersfield, CA (661) 869-2010
President’s Message
Advisory Council
Janet Berthiaume, OTR
Royal Oak, MI (248) 258-3715
Barry Kavanaugh, OD
West End, NC (910) 673-3937
Selwyn Super, D. Optom., PhD
Los Angeles, CA (310) 207-0012
Susan Wenberg, MA, DC
Tucson, AZ (520) 326-1322
Advisory Council Emeritus
John Streff, OD (704) 687-6333
Newsletter Staff
EDITOR
Penelope S. Suter, OD, Bakersfield, CA
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Robert Fox, OD, Schenectady, NY
Becky Vanzant COVT, Bellflower, CA
In This Issue
 President’s Message
 In Memory of
 William Ludlam, OD
 Martin Birnbaum, OD
 NORA Noteworthy
 Nominations
 NORA 2003 Conference
 NORA Skills Curriculum
 Passing the Word
 OEP and NORA meet
 NORA Networking
 Members on the Move
 Other Meetings
 Neuro-Optometric Pearl
Office of the President
Brenda Heinke Montecalvo, OD,
FCOVD, FAAO
PO Box 358
Cedarville, OH 45314
(937)320-0300, (937)766-9787
Fax (937)320-0500
EM: [email protected]
Greetings to all. I wish to extend
my warmest wishes for a joy-filled
and bountiful new year.
With close to 6 million Americans living with a disability resulting from an acquired brain injury, it
is ever more critical that NORA’s
message be disseminated throughout the rehabilitation community.
Rehabilitation teams around the
country recognize the importance
for incorporating optometric rehabilitation into their programs. The
demand for optometrists knowledgeable about visual rehabilitation
is great and increasing daily.
I am honored to continue to
serve as your representative of the
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
Association. As 2002 comes to a
close I reflect on NORA’s progress
in achieving our goals.
1
The NORA board continues to
be committed to...
1. Improving communication
with it’s members via the web page
(www.nora.cc), the newsletters, and
our toll free number (1-8002CBETTR).
2. Increasing attendance at the
educational meeting to achieve improved understanding of neurooptometric rehabilitation.
3. Educating the public about
neuro-optometric rehabilitation
through the distribution of educational materials to other professionals involved in rehabilitation.
4. Increasing membership representing all disciplines involved in
working with rehabilitation populations.
One of NORA’s primary goals
is to disseminate educational materials, knowledge, skill, and techniques of neuro-optometric rehabilitation for traumatic brain injured
patients. On this front we have
made multiple inroads.
Many
NORA members have been diligent
in providing their time and financial
resources for our organization. I
want to thank each of you for your
efforts and look forward to working
with you in 2003.
NORA GETS RECOGNIZED
NORA was represented and
recognized at the following meetings this year: College of Syntonic
Optometry (CSO), American Optometric Association (AOA), and
College of Optometrists in Vision
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
In Memory of William M. “Bill” Ludlam, OD
1931-2002
Dr. William M. Ludlam was a charter
member of NORA, a longtime NORA
board member, and an optometric pioneer—both in the science lab, and in the
clinic. The breadth of his contributions
to optometry is staggering. This newsletter is dedicated to his memory.
A scholarship fund to extend Dr. Ludlam’s work and spirit to new generations
of optometrists has been established at
Pacific University College of Optometry. Contributions may be sent to: Dr.
William Ludlam Memorial Scholarship
Fund, Pacific University College of Optometry, Attn. Steve Fletcher, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR, 97116.
Contributed by Christine Nelson,
PhD, OTR
Professor, researcher, resource, colleague, and consummate clinician. An
extraordinary problem-solving mind
with a heart that translated research findings to practical application that changed
the lives of innumerable children and
adults.
From his chosen profession of optometry, with which he had melded totally, Dr. Ludlam reached out to understand and analyze the contributions of
other professions. Always loyal to history, to the knowledge that had been
passed on to him by his professors and
mentors, Bill took seriously the responsibility of handing on clear information
applied with logic and sensitivity. He
was a dependable and articulate support
for his profession – forging ahead with
the newest ideas while assisting with any
task that contributed to making a new
perspective of visual function a reality.
Early on, he saw the potential for using
the computer to reach functional optometric objectives and designed his own
innovative OptiMum program. He built
an apparatus for obtaining an evoked
pattern response when one was not available for more reliable testing. Always
interested in languages-he readily picked
up needed phrases from his patients and
colleagues and used them with good
accent. Dr. Ludlam continued learning
from colleagues, from parents, and from
the children he served. He could find a
pertinent article for a colleague in the
seeming disarray of paper collected in a
natural order of apparent chaos that characterized his office. Out of this chaos
came original and unfettered thinking
about real clinical problems.
The
―impossible‖ was only a new challenge
to be solved.
This gentle intellectual giant has left
us with the responsibility to hold on to
the gains that he made in understanding
functional vision and to move forward
with the dedication that he personified.
Contributed by William Padula, OD
Dr. William Ludlam, who was a board
member of NORA, has passed on this
year. Although he has left us in the
physical sense, his efforts and personal
interactions will remain with us for many
years to come.
Dr. Ludlam has served optometry in a
multitude of ways. Not only was he
directly involved in forming direction for
NORA, but he was also known by many
for his teaching skills as well as having
achieved three diplomates in the American Academy of Optometry (Low Vision, Pediatric Vision, and Contact
Lenses). In many ways, Dr. Ludlam
had three professional careers.
Thinking about his extraordinary accomplishments, the warm and personal
contacts he made with each of us, his
love of optometry, and his ability to advance knowledge, one might say that he
had the ability to ―fulfill the unforgiving
2
minute with sixty seconds worth of long
distance run‖ (Kipling).
Although he always had the opportunity to meet and sit with optometrists to
discuss issues of practice, he never
missed an opportunity to spend time
with students. In some ways, I think he
enjoyed these times most of all. It was
on more than one occasion that he would
slip off with a group of students for
lunch and dinner leaving his colleagues
wondering where he had disappeared to.
Dr. Ludlam and his wife Diana have
been great supporters of NORA. They
both have worked diligently to provide
educational programs at our yearly meetings as well as to publish and speak
about neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
Dr. Ludlam served on our Board of Directors as treasurer and council for many
years. In addition, together with Dr.
Thomas Politzer, he established the curriculum for our clinical skill development program. Were it not for his experience in these areas to provide direction, our program would not be what it is
today.
Today we celebrate the life of William Ludlam, OD. He has given us the
opportunity to know him and to serve as
our model of both human cause and professional direction. We offer our condolences to his wife, Diana, and his daughter, Mandy. We all will miss him
greatly.
Other NORA members contributed
thoughts and remembrances, some of
which have been excerpted due to
space.
Bill Ludlam was one of the nicest
people I ever met. A very sincere individual as nice on a professional level as
on a personal level. He was one highly
intelligent individual who was the greatest to engage with in brain storming.
Always respecting the other individual's
theories as well as the other's experiences. A real good human being.
Gus Forkiotis
I carry Bill Ludlam with me every
day. The times shared with Bill, Diana,
and their family are etched with love in
my heart. I miss him so very much. I
know that he's explaining anomalous
correspondence to the angels in heaven,
and rest assured they will get it!
Daniel Gottlieb
Our friendship with Bill Ludlam has
been long and lasting. It began in New
York during Bill's early curiosity of neurological influences on vision. After Bill
and Diane married we learned of their
research in monitoring their own neurological changes. The results of their
research spread to students and faculty at
Pacific University and internationally
through NORA. We miss Bill in our
Optometric family and are grateful that
Diane is with us to continue their contributions to our Optometric future.
Al & Lorraine Sutton
How enriched we are who shared this
"window of history and collegiate bonding" with William M. "Bill" Ludlam.
The sum of this man's great energy and
vitality, intellect and talent, passion and
courage has put his indelible "brand"
upon our profession. Through his multitude of scholarly and clinical contributions, he advanced the art and science of
optometry (behavioral) by quantum
steps. Bill Ludlam was not a man of
pedestrian accomplishments; his
achievements and contributions are forever etched in the annals of vision science, the symphonic halls of music, and
the galleries of art and sculpture…...My
mentor, my colleague, my friend - I miss
you more than mere words can describe;
we all miss you.
John A. Thomas, a student, a friend.
William (Bill) Ludlam had an illustrious career in Optometry… …It is most
fitting that NORA recognized his genius
and honored Bill by calling it’s educational department (on the website), Ludlam Hall. Bill, the friend, had the smallest of egos and the biggest of hearts. He
loved to hear a joke and to tell one. He
had a zest for life and living and he never
ever complained of the great adversities
he suffered throughout his life. He bore
his pain silently and always shifted the
focus away from himself. In our tribute
to Bill, we add not only the expression of
the high esteem which the scope of his
work deserves, but also the warmhearted expression of our love for him.
Selwyn Super
Diana and Bill Ludlam
NORA lost another great optometric educator and friend in 2002.
In Memoriam: Martin H. Birnbaum, OD
1935-2002
Phyllis and Martin Birnbaum
Contributed by Robert Sanet OD
On June 19, 2002, Dr. Martin
Birnbaum passed on. Marty didn’t
just talk the talk, he walked the
walk. He modeled for many of us
what we hope and aspire to achieve
as human beings.
Marty was a talented, successful,
humble, and compassionate professional; a devoted husband and a
thoughtful and supportive father; a
true, loyal, and trusted friend; he
experienced and appreciated every
aspect of his life.
Professionally, optometry has lost
an articulate and passionate champion for behavioral optometry and
for the ethical treatment of all patients, especially children. Marty
was a talented and prolific writer
and lecturer. People who knew
Marty through his lectures and
writings have lost a valuable resource for his scientific writings
and for his divergent, cutting edge
thinking. Many of his articles, and
especially his book ―Optometric
Management of Nearpoint Vision
Disorders‖ will remain among the
seminal works in our profession.
Personally, Marty quietly and
very personally championed the
rights of women and the homeless,
and many other causes, not because
it was fashionable but because it
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was correct.
Marty was a very special listener
who gave undivided attention, listened with patience, and gave supportive and thought provoking responses that never failed to make
you feel better for having had the
interaction. Marty may have agreed
or disagreed with your point of
view, argued strongly and convincingly for his view, but he never
made you feel like you were wrong.
It was difficult, if not impossible to
come away from interaction with
Marty a little more stimulated and
alive. Those of us who knew Marty
on a more personal basis have lost
something wonderful. They have
lost an honest and thoughtful friend.
In many ways Marty was a role
model for what a true friend and
mentor should be.
With Marty’s passing, behavioral
optometry has lost a pioneer, a
champion, and a valuable resource.
Many of us have lost a dear and
supportive friend. The world has
lost a truly gentle-man. Marty
touched and enriched so many
lives, yet he left us far too soon.
Marty’s sincerity, morality, teaching, and friendship will be sorely
missed, but he lives on through all
of the lives that he has touched.
Friends are people who
help you be more yourself,
more the person you are
intended to be.
—Merle Shain
By this measure, Drs. Ludlam and Birnbaum were
friends to many whom they
never even met.
NORA
Noteworthy
NORA Noteworthy gives you a
quick look at current news within
the organization.
Nominations for Awards
Nominations for the Advancement of
Science Award and the Advancement of
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Award
can be sent to Dr. Danny Gottlieb at 5462
Memorial Dr. Ste. 101; Stone Mountain,
GA 30083. For details about these awards,
please see the president’s message, p. 6.
Nominations for Board Members
There are positions open for two board
members which may be filled at the 2003
NORA meeting in Long Beach. If you
wish to nominate a NORA member to the
board, please contact Brenda Montecalvo,
OD at 937-320-0300.
12th Annual NORA Multidisciplinary
Conference.
Don’t miss the 12th annual multidisciplinary conference which is being planned
at The Westin, Long Beach, CA, April 47. A pre-conference introduction to neurooptometry is scheduled for the evening of
April 3rd.
NORA Skills Curriculum
If you would like to apply for the
NORA skills curriculum, there is an application enclosed with your newsletter. If
you wish to complete a skills level, the
application fee is $125. Due to limited
seating, those who would like to simply
attend the pre-conference clinical skills
classes without taking part of the curriculum process must pay the same fee of
$125. For more information about the
Clinical Skills Program, contact Chairperson, Dr. Selwyn Super at 310-207-0012.
Selected Video Tapes Available
Selected lecture video tapes are still
available from the 2002 NORA conference. Contact Dr. Danny Gottlieb’s office
at (404)296-6000 to order, or for more
information.
PSSST!
Pass the word: We are a multidisciplinary organization! In an effort to grow
our diversity we are actively seeking professionals from other fields to invite to
our 2003 convention in Long Beach. If
you know of appropriate organizations or
individuals in the Southern California
area -- those who are influential in their
field -- please provide me with the name,
address, phone, website or email, and
reason why we should solicit their attendance.
Susan Wenberg, DC
Interdisciplinary Committee
708 N Country Club
Tucson, AZ 85716
Phone (520) 326-1322, Fax (520) 3268661, [email protected]
OEP and NORA Coordinate Services.
The Optometric Extension Program
has for decades, presented successful
regional education programs for ODs
practicing functional vision care. NORA
and OEP are currently discussing the
possibility of an agreement between
NORA and OEP to use OEP regional
seminars as a format for presenting vision
rehabilitation education. OEP has also
taken on some of the printing projects for
NORA.
Need Networking Information?
NORA continues to provide brochures and information packets to assist
members in networking with other members of the rehabilitation community.
Brochures and packets are available in
limited quantities at no charge to members. Materials can be obtained by calling NORA, toll free, at (866)
2CBETTR. The packets do not ordinarily contain journal articles. However, if
you would like reference articles included
for professional relations, please specify
when making your request.
Members
Move
On
The
Errol Rummel, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
was just granted consulting privileges in
Neuro -optometric Rehabilitation at the
Health South Rehabilitation Hospital of
Tinton Falls, NJ. This is his 4th hospital
4
affiliation.
Rob Fox, OD was named this past year
to the professional advisory committee of
the Brain Injury Association of New
York State (BIANYS).
Janet Berthiaume OTR, CDRS along
with Susan Hahn, OD presented ―Vision
Rehabilitation and Driving: A collaboration of Optometry and Occupational
Therapy‖ at the Association for Driver
Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) meetings. Janet has also presented a lecture at
the ADED conference on ―Vision and
Driver Rehabilitation and the Useful
Field of View‖. The presentations demonstrated the positive effects of visual/
perceptual treatment on patient performance prior to and during driver rehabilitation. These presentations have been so
well received that Janet was invited back
to present at the Midwest ADED conference.
Other Meetings
College of Optometrists in Vision
Development:
The College of Optometrists in Vision
Development will hold their 33rd Annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ, October 21
-25, 2003. For more information visit
their website at www.covd.org.
IARP Annual Conference:
The International Association Of Rehabilitation Professionals is holding it’s
annual meeting April 4-6, 2003 in Baltimore Maryland. For more info see
www.rehabpro.org.
Optometric Extension Program:
The Southwest Congress of Optometry will be held January 17-19, 2003 at
the Holiday Inn Riverwalk San Antonio,
Texas Contact: David Mora, OD (800)
819-8999.
The Kraskin Invitational Skeffington
Symposium on Vision will be held
January 18-20, 2003 at the
Hyatt Arlington Hotel, Rosslyn, VA
Contact: Jeffrey Kraskin, OD
4600 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington DC, 20016 (202) 363-4450
[email protected].
The 65th Northwest Congress of Optometry will be held February 22-23,
2003 in Pacific University Forest Grove,
OR. Contact: Eric Hussey, O.D., 25
West Nora Ave., #101 Spokane, WA
99205, (509) 326-2707, Fax (509) 3260 4 2 6 , s p a c e go g g l e @ a t t . n e t .
www.drhussey.uswestdex.com.
VT/Learning Related Visual Problems
(VT 2) (BABO/OEP) will be held April
10-13, 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona. Contact: Theresa Krejci
110 Old Padonia Road, Cockeysville,
MD 21030, (800) 447-0370, [email protected],
www.BABOUSA.org.
Regional Clinical Seminar (OEP) will
be held April 26-27, 2003 in Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida. Contact: Debra Shim,
O.D., 5500 Military Trail, Suite 36, Jupiter, FL 33458, (561) 625-4380, Fax (561)
625-3920, [email protected].
The Art & Science of Optometric
Care—A Behavioral Perspective
(BVC) (BABO/OEP) will be held May
1-5, 2003 Grand Rapids, MI Contact:
Theresa Krejci 110 Old Padonia Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030, (800) 4470370.
Neuro-Optometric
Pearl
Janet Berthiaume, OTR, CDRS
(Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist)
A common complaint of the Low Vision Driver is sensitivity to a variety of
outdoor light including sun, haze, and
snow. For the telescopic driver, these
conditions can change every time he/she
turns a corner. Driver Rehab sessions are
scheduled to assess and train the patient
on the road in as many glare situations as
possible. Initially, telescopic training
begins on the road with the patient as a
passenger with progression to being the
driver. This process is known as a Copilot. The complexity of road situations
are graded according to the ability of the
patient’s combined telescopic and driving
skills. Often times glare problems aren’t
identified until the patient is the driver.
The problems are more apparent when
driver IPDE processing is affected. Assistive devices for reducing glare may
include telescopic caps, tinted contact
lenses, slip-in shields, and others.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
C a s e
S t u d y
MC was a 54 year old diagnosed with a
sub-foveal neovascularization in 1988.
The Commission for the Blind referred
her to a Low Vision Specialist to evaluate her for a telescopic device. Optometric evaluation revealed: acuities OD
20/125, OS 20/160, Goldman Visual
Field (horizontal) OD 110 degrees, OS
120 degrees with a large central scotoma,
and color vision WNL. MC was provided with a 4x Designs for Vision telescope and basic telescopic training home
program to prepare for driving. At that
time, she was referred to Occupational
Therapy for telescopic driver's eval and
training. Driver Pre-Screen evaluation
revealed problems with sign recognition
and literacy, visual perceptual processing
time, peripheral vision, depth perception
and reaction time. On the road trainings
revealed significant problems with traffic
light color identification, glare, depth
perception, and judgment of time and
space. On cloudy days MC could identify 75% of traffic lights from 2-3 city
blocks away. On days with glare, MC
only identified traffic lights less than one
block away. Glare was a crucial issue
for MC since she was required to drive
directly into the East sun to get to work.
The OTR, CDRS, and the OD worked
closely together to resolve the problem.
A variety of devices were tried to alleviate glare including combinations of the
following: light, medium, and dark red
contact lenses, red, gray, and brown telescopic caps, and gray and amber slip in
shields. After assessing all possible combinations of the devices, the best results
were achieved by using the light red
contact lens in indirect sunlight with the
option of donning a red telescopic cap in
direct sunlight and the amber slip in
shield for more intense sun and glare.
The slip-in shield was attached to the
dashboard with Velcro, and the telescopic cap was placed in the cup holder.
MC was then able to drive to work in
direct sunlight and easily adapt for sudden changes in the weather. MC was
given full daytime driving privileges.
diate past president, John A. Thomas, OD, presented at the CSO annual meeting. AOA recognized
NORA’s president at the delegate
meeting. COVD recognized NORA
at it’s annual awards luncheon.
NORA EXHIBIT BOOTH
NORA exhibited at the annual
College of Syntonic Optometry
(CSO) meeting, the annual meeting
of the College of Optometrists in
Vision Development (COVD), and
at the annual East/West conference
in Cleveland, Ohio. We distributed
several hundred information packets to potential new members. We
are looking forward to exhibiting at
more of the major professional
meetings.
To further help educate professionals, parents, and patients about
the benefits of neuro-optometric
rehabilitation, NORA’s information
packets are available for you to distribute. Packets are available upon
request, please call 1-8002CBETTR to order.
JOINT POLICY STATEMENT
NORA was represented by
Eric T. Ikeda, OD, to create an organizational consensus statement on
―Optometry’s Role in Treating Patients with Disabilities‖--along with
representatives from the American
Optometric Association (AOA),
American Academy of Optometry
(AAO), College of Optometrists in
Vision Development (COVD), and
Optometric Extension Program
(OEP). Look for publication of this
statement in 2003.
12th ANNUAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE APRIL 3-8, 2003, LONG
BEACH,CA.
Eric T. Ikeda, OD, conference
chairperson, has put together an
outstanding panel of accomplished
clinicians, educators, and professionals addressing rehabilitation.
The keynote speaker for this year’s
5
annual conference is David G.
Lavond, PhD. Dr Lavond will be
speaking on ―Cognitive Associative
Aspects of Cerebellar Function‖.
Additional special features this year
will be, ―Preparing for Depositions
and Trials. What you need to know‖
by Chris Yuhl, attorney, ―MultiDisciplinary Rehabilitation‖ by
Mark J. Ashley, ScD., and
―Neuropharmacology Update in the
Brain Injured Population‖ by H.
Richard Adams, MD. This dynamic program will provide you
with 18 hours of continuing education. There will also be 8 to 12
hours of clinical skills development
curriculum.
Besides great education, you
will want to take some time and
enjoy the warm sunshine and
beaches of Southern California. Dr.
Ikeda has chosen the Westin Hotel,
which is conveniently located near
great seafood restaurants, the
Aquarium of the Pacific, and shopping. If you are a NORA member
you should have recently received
your meeting packet. Since you
will not want to miss the 12th Annual Multi-discipline Conference in
Long Beach, California, mark your
calendars now.
AWARDS
Nominations for the Advancement of Science Award and the Advancement of Neuro-Optometric
Rehabilitation Award can be sent to
Dr. Danny Gottlieb at 5462 Memorial Dr. Ste. 101; Stone Mountain,
GA 30083.
The Advancement of Science
Award is presented for providing a
unique and valued contribution to
the science of Neuro-Optometric
Rehabilitation.
The Advancement of NeuroOptometric Rehabilitation Award is
presented for demonstrating treatments or clinical procedures in
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
which increase public awareness,
enhance function, performance, and
rehabilitation outcomes.
2003 NOMINATIONS
Two positions for board members will be voted on at the business
meeting in Long Beach. Anyone
interested in serving on the board or
nominating an active NORA member, please contact me at 937-3200300.
CLINICAL SKILLS
The curriculum clinical skills
program continues to be refined to
improve the quality of education
provided at the annual meeting.
Welcome to new committee members, Carl Garbus, OD and Chris
Nelms, OTR.
With an emphasis on achieving
a high standard of neuro-optometric
rehabilitation, the clinical skills program is a must for members who
want to provide their patients with
the best care possible. To begin the
process or receive information on
the program please contact Dr. Super at 310-207-0012.
HELPING NORA
We need each of you to help
promote next year’s annual conference. One of NORA’s goals is to
better educate professionals about
neuro-optometric rehabilitation. A
cost effective way to educate is to
have more people attend our educational meetings. In order to do this,
NORA needs your help.
Dr. Eric Ikeda has produced a
brochure for the annual meeting
that you can place in your office
and hand out to all interested parties. Each time a therapist, rehabilitation patient, or other professional
involved in rehabilitation is in your
office, hand out the brochure and
invite the individual to attend the
meeting.
Speaking at an event related to
rehabilitation? Why not invite everyone to our annual meeting?
NORA would be happy to send you
as many brochures as you need,
simply call 866-2CBETTR for your
request.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership now totals 259
members thanks to the tremendous
efforts of Dr. Don Fong and Dr.
6
Penelope Suter. They have worked
hard to keep the membership happy
this year. Dr. Suter works with
NORA’s webmaster to streamline
communication with our members
via the web page (www.nora.cc)
and maintains our toll free number
(1-800-2CBETTR).
NEWSLETTER
Any information you have to
contribute to the NORA newsletters
in the form of clinical pearls, case
reports, or newsworthy events
should be sent to Dr. Penelope
Suter at 5300 Lennox Ave. Ste.
101, Bakersfield, CA 93309.
SPEAKER DEVELOPMENT
Several speakers will be featured this year at the 2003 conference. These speakers will undergo
an extensive panel review. Reviewed and approved speakers will
be placed on the NORA speaker
recommendation list. This list will
be made available to professional
organizations in need of speakers
on optometric rehabilitation.
MID-YEAR EXECUTIVE
BOARD MEETING
This year’s executive board
meeting was held in Ft. Lauderdale
in conjunction with the COVD
meeting. Details about the upcoming conference were discussed
along with a program for advertising the meeting to local rehabilitation communities. Besides the annual meeting, information about
NORA committee structure and
budget review were discussed.
ORGANIZATION UNITY
NORA has met with
representatives of optometric
organizations, COVD, OEP, CSO,
and AOA, in an attempt to work
closer with these optometric
organizations and to speak with one
voice. We have discussed shared
speakers, exhibit space, and
meetings with the various groups
and continue to work toward
building closer ties with these
groups.