Meet Lavinia Lafferty, the recent Executive Assistant to the President and Board Secretary at
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).
Lavinia has had an impressive 50 years at PCOM,
making impactful connections and relationships with many in the district.
The City Ave District wishes Lavinia the best in her retirement and
has enjoyed working closely with her these past years.
What was your role at PCOM?
Executive Assistant to the President and Board Secretary.
Before working at PCOM, what was the most interesting job you’ve had?
In 1962 when I started working at what was General Electric Space Center in King of Prussia, I worked with a group of draftsmen and engineers who worked on NASA’s Nimbus Weather Satellite project.
How has PCOM helped you with your career development?
It gave me an exceptional opportunity to work and learn not only from many talented/knowledgeable individuals on a daily basis but with the Board of Trustees members as well.
What are 3 words that describe PCOM?
Caring, Committed, Family
What drew you to PCOM originally? And how has PCOM changed since?
Going through a divorce and having a 2 ½- year-old son, I was looking for a job close to home. If you’re also planning to file for divorce, you may search family law attorney near me online to find a lawyer that can help you throughout the process. Divorce lawyers can help you with no fault divorce in Maryland.
I applied at PCOM, was hired to work for the Controller, and started on May 11, 1970. The only buildings on campus at that time were the hospital, F. H. Barth Pavilion as it was called then, that opened in 1968, and the Moss House, now called Levin Administration building. Just to name a few changes since then: the purchase of the 4190 building, the construction of the college (Evans Hall), Overmont, Activities Center, parking garage, and two additional locations, PCOM Georgia in Suwanee and PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie.
What was your favorite part about working for PCOM?
The opportunity I have been afforded to work with so many nice people.
What is your proudest moment at PCOM?
In 2001, as a member of the PCOM Employee Activities Group, I helped organize the “Lights of Love” fundraising project to benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, which has continued successfully for the last 19 years.
What will you miss the most about PCOM?
The wonderful friendships that have existed, in some instances, more than 35+ years, the interactions with Terry Foley and his delicious homemade Christmas cookies.
What are you looking forward to the most with retirement?
Spending more time with my family and my dogs.
How do you define success?
Loving what you do.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of our life, what would it be?
A cheese sandwich.
People would be surprised if they knew:
That in my younger days my family owned a horse and I enjoyed riding through the trails along the Wissahickon Creek.
What did you want to be when growing up?
A private secretary. Around grade 5 a neighbor came to visit who had just started high school and was taking the shorthand course. She showed me how to write my name in shorthand, and needless to say, I was totally impressed, and still use shorthand on a daily basis.
What places have you lived in?
Born and raised in Philadelphia and visiting my house in Delaware.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I wouldn’t change a thing because after 50 years I can still say that I love what I do and the individuals with whom I work with and for.
You’re the happiest when?
When I can do something to make some else happy.
Is there anything special about City Ave that you can share?
It is obvious that a great deal of thought and planning has gone into attracting new businesses and beautifying the area. The addition of the CASSD security patrol indicates that the area leaders are concerned for the safety of individuals and businesses in the area as well.
Want to be featured in the next issue of Faces of City Ave? Email Briana at cityave@cityave.org.
