HOULTON — The Iris Network has announced that Kristy Blake Swallow of Houlton has received, with co-author John McMahon, the Susan and Paul Ponchillia Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Publication Award for their article entitled “Increasing Functional Vision: The Role of the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.”
Contributed photo
LAUDED — Kristy Swallow, second from right, was recently honored with the Susan and Paul Ponchillia Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Publication Award for an article she co-wrote. Taking part in the awards presentation are, from left, Ruth Mlotek, director of vision rehabilitation services; Mark Anderson, director of program services; Swallow; and Jim Phipps, executive director. All four are part of The Iris Network.
Swallow, an MA, CVRT, CLVT, follows in the footsteps of another Houlton native, Margaret Cleary, who was also published.
This publication award honors individuals who write and publish for the benefit of the field of vision rehabilitation therapy and enhancement of the knowledge. Given every two years, there have been only four recipients since 2008.
Swallow covers the area of Aroostook County. The County is the largest American county by land area east of the Rocky Mountains; Estcourt Station is the northernmost community in the contiguous U.S. east of the Great Lakes. It is in this vast area that she has dedicated her life to vision rehabilitation therapy.
The Iris Network is a nationally accredited organization with the mission of, “Helping people who are visually impaired or blind to attain independence and community integration.”
The Iris Network is the only nonprofit organization providing vision rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation services to visually impaired people throughout Maine.
