BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.—The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) announced the appointments of its new executive and advisory board members. Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD, assumes the position of president, succeeding DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD, who now joins the NORA Advisory Board. Dr. Shidlofsky is clinical director of Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas, a specialty clinic serving children and adults with neurological vision issues. He is a member of the medical staff at Baylor Scott and White Institute for Rehabilitation in Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth.






Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD

Melissa Zarn Urankar, OD, FAAO




Dr. Shidlofsky also serves as a consultant for several Texas-based rehabilitation centers. He is also residency director for a private practice residency in vision rehabilitation through Southern College of Optometry.

In addition to the appointment of Dr. Shidlofsky as president, Melissa Zarn Urankar, OD, FAAO, has been appointed vice president. Dr. Zarn Urankar is an assistant professor of optometry at Southern College of Optometry (SCO). Shirley Blanc, OD, FNORA, has been appointed secretary/treasurer. Dr. Blanc dedicates most of her practice to assessing and treating patients with visual problems due to acquired and traumatic brain injury.

In addition to Dr. Fitzgerald, Drs. Kathryn Collins and Cheryl Lethern are new members of the NORA Advisory Board, joining returning member Gina Kim, MOT, OTR/L, CBIS.

Kathryn Collins, OD, is in private practice in Lititz, Penn. The practice offers comprehensive examinations for adults and children, contact lenses, treatment of ocular disease, and dry eyes. Cheryl Letheren, B.SC., OD, FAAO, has more than 20 years of experience with visual rehabilitation. Dr. Letheren helped to form the first multi-disciplinary team to assess and treat brain injury patients in a hospital setting in Canada and has been on staff at Parkwood Hospital, a rehabilitation facility, for the last 18 years.