Alumni News
Optometry
General News
According to Malai Williams, OD ‘26, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University “helped raise me into the clinician I am today.”
Dr. Williams demonstrated remarkable resilience after losing her father during the first year in her Doctor of Optometry program. Following a leave of absence, she joined a new cohort and transformed her grief into determination, carrying that resilience with her throughout the remainder of her training.
“We learned everything there. PCO encourages excellence. The faculty and preceptors always held us to a very high standard,” said Dr. Williams.
Being instilled with that expectation of excellence has served Dr. Williams well since her recent graduation from PCO and has set her up for continued success as her career advances. She is currently completing a residency in ocular disease at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, a program that was at the top of her list.
“I would not be where I am today without the support of my village — my mom, my sister Anais, my aunt Shawntel, my friends/family, my mentors and the incredible faculty at PCO. I’m deeply grateful for the encouragement and guidance they’ve each given me every step of the way,” said Dr. Williams.
She added she was drawn to Bascom Palmer’s standard of excellence and its reputation as a leader in the profession.
“It’s incredibly exciting, and I’m truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to train alongside world-renowned leaders in the field,” she said. “It is such a unique institution, and I’m grateful to be part of such an exceptional team.”
Originally from Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, when Dr. Williams said PCO had raised her, she meant it in the literal sense. When she was a child, Dr. Williams routinely received eye exams at The Eye Institute (TEI), PCO’s clinical facility in the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. Later, while a college student at Penn State studying neuropsychology, she was able to shadow TEI’s optometrists while home on holiday breaks.
Dr. Williams developed a strong interest in optometry as she learned more about the profession and its broader impact on a patient’s overall health and provide insight into underlying systemic conditions.
“Discovering the profound impact optometrists can have on their patients’ well-being inspired me to pursue a residency in ocular disease and continue expanding my role in providing comprehensive eye care,” she said.
The year-long residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute started in late June 2026 for Dr. Williams, who is one of only six residents from optometry schools across the country in this year’s program. Although she is still in the early stages of her residency, Dr. Williams said the experience is off to a great start, and she is looking forward to the opportunities for continued learning and professional growth throughout the year ahead.
“It’s nice to be in an environment surrounded by some of the best doctors in the profession - they have so much knowledge that they want to pour into all of us,” she said. “They encourage us to practice optometry at the highest level and challenge us to continually grow as clinicians.” Overall, working in an interdisciplinary environment has been incredibly rewarding, where collaboration across specialties helps provide the best possible care for patients.
One of Dr. Williams' primary goals during her residency is to strengthen her clinical confidence and refine her differential diagnosis skills, allowing her to approach each case with clarity and precision.
“We see many rare and complex cases, the zebras of eye care. I hope that exposure to such a wide range of pathologies will help me develop the clinical reasoning to confidently work through whatever case comes across my exam chair,” said Dr. Williams. "In a tertiary care center with a 24/7 emergency department and numerous subspecialty clinics, I encounter pathologies every day many optometrists may never see and may only have read about in textbooks. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I hope this experience will help me become a well-rounded, confident optometrist".
When she's not in the clinic, Dr. Williams has been exploring her new city, spending time at the beach and sampling some of Miami's diverse culinary offerings.
After completing this residency, she plans to return to the Philadelphia area and work in an interdisciplinary setting alongside ophthalmologists managing medical optometry and maybe even someday try her hand at academia.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with students, and one of the things I love about my residency is the opportunity to precept,” said Dr. Williams. “Each week, I supervise fourth-year optometry students in our resident clinic. It has reinforced that I’d like teaching and mentoring to remain a meaningful part of my career, and maybe I'll have the opportunity to return to TEI again someday.”
