Optometry
General News
Faculty and Staff News
During his time at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University Kendrick Crawford II, OD ‘25, paid close attention to lessons on patient education - a hallmark of PCO’s early and sustained clinical experience.
And, that has already paid off in his career. Dr. Crawford has been recognized for guiding patients through personalized, patient-centered care while building lasting connections by America’s Best in Medicine, a specialist online platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of leading health care professionals across the United States.
“I care a lot about patient education. I really try to find opportunities to inform patients about what’s going on,” said Dr. Crawford. “A lot of times I hear ‘I’ve never heard that before’ from patients. So, any time I get the opportunity to inform and educate patients about their eye health, I do it.”
While at PCO/Drexel, Dr. Crawford was exposed to different experiences with preceptors and identified qualities he admired, which he has since tried to implement into his clinical approach.
“So I was able to mesh multiple ways of practicing together and establish my own approach. I’m really grateful to PCO for how well-prepared I was to enter the profession,” said the recent grad, who also cited his participation in the College’s Robert E. Horne Summer Enrichment Program for underrepresented individuals in optometry.
Dr. Crawford was born and raised in Dallas and earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Texas at Tyler before entering PCO for his Doctor of Optometry degree. While at PCO, he served as vice president and was an active member of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), showcasing his leadership skills and dedication to the profession. His graduate education was marked by a commitment to clinical excellence as he completed multiple externships, including a six-week rotation with National Vision, Inc.
PCO students are provided with one of the most expansive clinical experiences in optometric education. As a result of this early exposure, students also have an expedited entry into the College’s 15-month extensive externship program.
After graduation, Dr. Crawford returned to his home state of Texas and now works for MyEyeDr in Burleson, Texas. In addition to his clinical practice, he is also dedicated to mentoring future professionals in optometry. In addition, he recently started working with fellow PCO alum Gayle Daniels, OD ‘88, at a nonprofit called “Better Vision, Better Hope” based in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Daniels was seeing a lot of patients who didn’t have insurance but whom she believed needed eye care services.
“So, she felt called to start her own nonprofit specifically for those patients who don’t have insurance, providing full eye exams and low-cost glasses,” said Dr. Crawford. “It’s been great working with her and I want to make it a part of what I do at least once a month.”
Outside his professional commitments, Dr. Crawford enjoys playing soccer and basketball and spending time with his family and friends.
“What I enjoy most about practicing optometry is the opportunity to give back to the community,” he said. “Being able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, support their health and contribute to the well-being of those around me is deeply fulfilling and motivates me every day.”
