By Jennifer Schaffer Leone
Pamela J. Ruoff, MS, who spent more than four decades working in various admissions, fundraising and alumni relations and engagement roles at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, retired June 30.
During her tenure, Ms. Ruoff cultivated the PCOM experience for thousands of alumni. Her leadership and outreach inspired new friendships, affiliations and support that will sustain the College for many years to come. The depth and breadth of her impact is immeasurable.
Ms. Ruoff sat down with the editor of Digest Magazine to reflect upon her legacy and the role PCOM has played in her life. Her thoughts are especially apt at this time—as the College marks its 125th anniversary.
“I had a good friend who worked at the Hector Company, and at the time, the College purchased furniture through the company. While furnishing PCOM’s Office of Admissions, my friend learned that Carol Fox, the registrar and head of admissions, was in need of a clerk typist. My friend urged me to apply.
I was 24 when I officially started at PCOM [in 1982]. I brought the skills I had gained from coursework at the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston—typing, punctuation and shorthand. I was a quick learner, and I had a good work ethic that Carol reinforced. She modeled dedication, single-handedly developing the College’s admissions while putting herself through her master’s degree studies.
Carol believed the interview process was of utmost importance, that each candidate must be considered as a whole person. She valued admissions committees and insisted that no less than three people be a part of every interview. When one of the participants wasn’t available, I’d sit in. I’d take the notes. I’d ask the questions. I learned the art of the interview.
When a more advanced admissions position came available, I hoped to apply. But Carol cautioned that I would not be selected. The stark reality was that I didn’t have a college degree. I could not advance in higher education without one.
I quickly determined that I didn’t want to spend the next four decades of my life typing. I enrolled in undergraduate classes at Ursinus College and, later, in graduate classes at Eastern University, studying communications and nonprofit management—while working and raising two small children. Even on the hardest days, I found that I was encouraged by Carol and by the College. PCOM really was a place of self-discovery and opportunity for me.
Carol was a true leader—one of few women in senior leadership positions at the College. In fact, she was the first woman department head I had ever met. She took a chance on me and guided me during the 12 years I worked in admissions, becoming a remarkable mentor.
In 1994, PCOM introduced their first capital campaign and needed someone to assist with operations, someone who knew the College and alumni. I was offered the position of campaign director. By its end, The PCOM Mission campaign launched me into the realm of fundraising and alumni relations. This work has been the lifeblood of my career as alumni relations officer, director of alumni relations and development, interim chief advancement officer, and executive director of alumni engagement.”
“I was privileged to meet and interact with some of the greatest teachers in the College’s history, those who wrote the textbooks, those who shaped their disciplines, those who really laid a strong foundation for our students. I fondly recall early icons like Dean Sherwood R. Mercer; Nicholas S. Nicholas, DO; Paul T. Lloyd, DO 1923; Galen S. Young, Sr., DO ’35; David Heilig, DO ’44; and William H. Dickerson, DO ’54, among others.
I witnessed the work of those who sought to foster a greater understanding of osteopathic medicine. And I watched those who fought tirelessly for the profession to gain fuller recognition. I’ll never forget special moments of breakthrough, like the one that came in 1988 when an alumnus earned a fellowship spot at the Mayo Clinic—one of the most competitive of fellowships in an allopathic program. The news came and my office went quiet. You could hear a pin drop. PCOM was worthy.
I also had the privilege to serve under five presidents (and an interim): Presidents Thomas M. Rowland, Jr.; J. Peter Tilley, DO; Leonard H. Finkelstein, DO ’59, MSc ’63; Matthew Schure, PhD; and Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81. Each made exemplary and profound contributions to the College. These leaders steered us through periods of growth and prosperity. They carried us through the tough times, too.
I believe the stories of these icons are worthy of emulation. It is so important to keep their flames alive. They represent what is best in our institutional life.”
“Alumni relations is intangible. It is not easily measured or quantified.
All alumni hold a relationship with the College. Those of us in alumni relations don’t own the relationship. We are custodians of it. It is our duty to build and cultivate the relationship, to evolve it over a lifetime.
I’ve known many PCOM alumni from when they were students—some from their initial admissions interviews. I’ve been privileged to be there to celebrate their early successes—to watch their progression from medical student to resident, from fellow to attending. To hear the news of their first job.
I’ve attended countless weddings, baptisms and funerals. I’ve met alumni and their families at women’s auxiliary events at the former hospital, at board meetings and professional conferences, at student club gatherings and the annual Follies, at golf tournaments and galas, in their homes, over plates of hors d’oeuvres and flights of wine. I’ve come to know—closely—full generations and legacies of PCOM families.
I’ve known their long pauses filled with anticipation. Their laughter. Their handshakes and hugs. Their tears. Their points of crisis. I’ve been blessed by their genuine exclamations of ‘God, I have missed you!’ as they approached a POMA booth.
I’ve been their staunch advocate. They have been mine. I’ve been humbled time and time again when I would call: ‘Sure, I’ll sit on the council or serve on the alumni panel or donate to the fund.’ ‘Sure, I’ll help you. I’ll help PCOM.’
I’ve enjoyed the familiarity of Founders’ Days, graduations and reunions, the remembrance of histories and beloved professors, of rugby victories and fraternity parties. My longevity of service, my institutional knowledge, made me a touchstone. I believe I provided constancy in the midst of change, in times of challenge. This enabled me to assure alumni that they were my priority, that they are the College’s priority.”
“PCOM’s value is not only for students but also for employees. Even though I did not go to medical school, PCOM educated me and afforded me opportunities as an employee that equaled what was provided for students.
I’ve had an incredible career because I’ve been part of a community that recognizes the entirety of each person’s experience. I’ve met and known so many incredible people: students, faculty, staff, administrators, and of course alumni. Many have become influences, valuable resources, true friends. Among these people I especially count my decades-long friendships with Ken Veit, DO ’76, and [LTG USA (Ret.)] Ron Blanck, DO ’67. They are part of the tapestry of my life and I am part of theirs.
But perhaps the greatest privilege of my work has been to see the difference the College makes in people’s lives over a long period of time. Then I’ve seen it again in the lives of their children and now in their grandchildren. I’ve watched so many wonderful careers unfold, and I’ve observed how so many PCOM alumni have advanced the health of their communities.
PCOM is an extraordinary place. I have nothing but gratitude for my 42 years at the College. The experience allowed me to raise and provide for my children—as a single parent. I was challenged and promoted. My work was appreciated and recognized and honored with the PCOM Alumni Association Certificate of Honor (2013), the highest award given by the association in recognition of distinguished services rendered and loyal devotion to the welfare and strengthening of the College. Through my work, I was able to travel throughout the United States, to attend and have my voice heard at national meetings, to be respected and valued as a professional.
I retire from PCOM with a full heart and a sincere appreciation for the wonderful memories I will always carry with me. I extend my best wishes for PCOM in the years ahead.”
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