Duckworth & Kent USA
In 1994 J. Michelle Glossip, Founder & CEO was approached by Terry Waldock — the owner of Duckworth & Kent in Great Britain. Michelle had spent 15 years building her career at Storz Instruments in St. Louis, starting as a secretary in 1979 and eventually becoming the Director of International New Business. Her drive and passion for saving sight were obvious, and Terry offered her the exclusive distribution of D & K’s Titanium Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments in North America, thus leading to the foundation of Duckworth and Kent USA.
During her first year in business, Michelle hired the company’s first two associates: Sharon Rodgers and Dorothy (Dot) Smith. Michelle’s parents were with her, too, helping with bookkeeping, shipping and receiving, and order fulfillment. Sharon and Dot are still with us today, among the ranks of our 15 full-time employees and four independent sales reps.
Business Expansion
On February 1, 2008, Duckworth & Kent USA officially became Crestpoint Management, a certified woman-owned small business located in Crestwood, Missouri. Along with that change and the expansion of Crestpoint’s business came a larger Crestpoint team and business network, thanks to distribution agreements with the leading ophthalmic surgical instrument manufacturers like Geuder, MANI, and Sterimedix.
Michelle made deep connections all over the world, opening the door to breakthrough instrument design in collaboration with many leading surgeons. Pioneers such as Dr. Spencer Thornton, Dr. Robert Osher, and Dr. Richard Mackool are just a few of the innovators who helped Michelle design over 1,000 surgical instruments and reshape the fields of ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery.
We continue to expand our portfolio of brands each year now offering 13 brands including our own Crestpoint brands, Mr. Phaco and Mr. Femto
Impeccable Leadership
Michelle Glossip and Henry Mitchell Crestpoint Management
Michelle Glossip was was an outstanding force and made an impact throughout the entire global ophthalmic community. She changed the world of ophthalmic surgery and pushed it forward as an art and a practice. She lived her life committed to saving sight through education and providing the highest quality products and customer service possible.
On December 20, 2019, Michelle died peacefully in her sleep. We promise to hold Michelle’s values first and foremost as we carry her dreams forward.
Under the leadership of CEO Henry Mitchell, the team at Crestpoint remains dedicated to the original mission to grow our thriving business and stay focused on delivering high-quality patient care, and providing superb service for our customers and stakeholders. Our business is sound and growing, and our team is committed to doing whatever we can to support our customers and the medical/surgical community as a whole.
