PRESS RELEASE August 20, 2009
MCDOWELL COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES PRESENTS 2009 CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AWARD
MARION - This year, the McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families is pleased to present the Champion for Children award to a member of our community who has helped make a difference in the lives of young children. Dr. Briana J. Shelton, OD FAAO was selected as the 2009 award winner. The award was presented at the Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Election of Officers Wednesday at Countryside BBQ in Marion.
Peggy Freeman, Director of McDowell County Head Start, nominated the local optometrist who has made it a priority to serve children. Peggy says, “For many years, Dr. Briana Shelton screened all Head Start children who needed vision screens at no cost to the program. She has spent many hours being patient with 3 and 4 year olds who are not always very cooperative in unfamiliar situations”. According to Peggy, once Head Start was financially able to purchase equipment so that staff members could perform the screenings, Dr. Shelton freely gave her expert advice on the type of tools to purchase. Dr. Shelton also volunteered her time to train staff members in the use and care of the equipment and offered technical assistance at any time.
Briana Shelton is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Shelton has been the owner of Professional Vision Center in Marion since 2003.
Dr. Shelton serves on the McDowell County Head Start Health Advisory Committee and is also active in other agencies in the community. She is a member of the Marion Lion’s Club serving also as the WNC Zone Chairperson for District 31-B, is a Marion Rotary Club member, a member of the NC National Guard Family Support Group, serves as optometrist for the Marion Correctional Institute, and is a McDowell High School Academic Award Sponsor.
A few of the many community awards and recognition that Dr. Shelton has received, but is not limited to, is Marion Lion’s Club Lion of the Year 2008, McDowell County’s Best Optometrist/Ophthalmologist Award 2005/2008, Marion Rotary Club New Rotarian of the Year 2005, and the Laser Center Commitment to Excellence in Patient Care Award 2005.
As Peggy Freeman stated in her nomination, “Dr. Shelton has proven to be most deserving of the Champion for Children Award this year”.
Peggy Freeman (left) presents the 2009 Champion for Children award to Dr. Briana J. Shelton on behalf of the McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
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