Dr. Alvin H. Crawford

2022 Lecture

Alvin H. Crawford, M.D.

Lecture >>

Alvin H Crawford MD, FACS graduated Cum Laude in Chemistry and Music from Tennessee State University. In 1964, he became the first African American to graduate from the University of Tennessee College Of Medicine, began his residency at Boston Naval Hospital and completed it at the combined Harvard University Orthopaedic Program. Postgraduate fellowships included Otto Aufranc Reconstructive Surgery of the Hip; Pediatric Orthopedics-Spine at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Alfred I. DuPont Institute, Senior Scoliosis Research Society Asian Traveling Fellowship, OREF Carl-Berg Traveling Fellowship, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Xavier University Physician Management Certificates. He received the Navy Commendation Medal for developing the first Pediatric Orthopaedic and Scoliosis Clinic at San Diego Naval Hospital.

He was Director of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for 29 years and upon retirement to Emeritus was awarded endowed Chairs in Pediatric Orthopedics and Spinal Surgery and the Crawford Spine Center was dedicated in his name. He has lectured and/or performed surgery in 43 countries and trained 57 international fellows in Pediatric Orthopedics and Spine Surgery.

Specializing in treating Scoliosis, he is considered an authority on video assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and Neurofibromatosis in children. A prolific author, publishing over 200 peer reviewed articles, more than 63 chapters, and six books. Cited as one of the Top 10 Educators in the first 100 Years of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, (only surgeon), and country’s best doctors since 1996. Awards include Founder’s Award from the Cincinnati Pediatric Society and Tennessee State University, past President of the John Robert Gladden Society, which annually presents the Alvin H Crawford MD mentoring award, first African American president of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), Daniel Drake award (2006) from the University of Cincinnati, its highest academic award, 2007 AAOS Diversity Award, 2009 Candle award from Morehouse college, 2008, Trumpet Award heralding the accomplishment of a Black American who has inspired others, presented the prestigious SRS Paul Harrington, MD Lecture in 2012, Presidential Oration at the Indian Pediatric Orthopaedic Society in 2013. Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) from Cincinnati Closing the Health Gap, (Mayor Mark Mallory proclaimed May 8, 2013 to be Dr Alvin Crawford day in Cincinnati), the Laurel Wreath Award from Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 2013, Great Living Cincinnatian Award for his medical and civic contributions, 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scoliosis Research Society, 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cincinnati Business Courier;, Cobb Fellow of W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, a leader for equality in Medicine, increasing access to treatment and care for African Americans and promotion of optimal health, Honoris Causa’s “Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery” Ioannina Greece, Hon Causa University of Cincinnati 2018, Commencement speaker University Of Tennessee College Of Medicine 2015, and University of Cincinnati College Of Medicine 2016, Hibbs Lecturer Scoliosis Research Society. He was POSNA first African American member, Presidential guest speaker, Distinguished Achievement Award and Hall of Fame member.

He currently assists in Jazz history at the College Conservatory of Music, and Dean’s Advisory Council. Dr. Crawford is a retired Captain in the US Navy, having received Commendation Medal for West African training cruise (Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria). He has been married to Alva Jean for 58 wonderful years, father to Alvin and Carole, and a proud grandfather to Mia, Elle and Uma. He remains a musician and tennis enthusiast.