Before Terri J. Allen joined Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in January 2021 as director of public safety for the College's Philadelphia campus, she patrolled the streets of Baltimore and Philadelphia as a uniformed police officer as part of her distinguished 20-year career in law enforcement, school security and public safety.
Ms. Allen details her journey to PCOM and outlines her safety goals for the campus as she gears up for a fabulous February—Valentine's Day on the 14th, her 20th wedding anniversary on the 15th, her birthday on the 22nd and hopefully a championship for the undefeated youth girls basketball team she coaches.
Tell us about the unique security challenges PCOM presents.Last month alone, besides students, staff and faculty, an additional 3,616 people visited the Philadelphia campus, including patients, visitors on campus tours and contractors. PCOM's new visitor management system lets the Department of Security and Public Safety identify visitors, provide them with a visitor's badge and notify them of emergencies on campus, says Ms. Allen.
Because the campus is blended into the cityscape, Ms. Allen stays in close contact with the security teams at PCOM's next-door neighbors, WPVI-TV television station and the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
“We partner and develop security strategies to create a safe environment. It's all about sharing information in order to have a close-knit community,” says Ms. Allen, adding that a security dispatcher monitors the police radio in the area. PCOM also partners with the City Avenue Special Services District's bike patrol team, a common site on campus and neighboring businesses.
Having a physical security presence, technology and emergency management plans. It is important to frequently train, maintain equipment, and revise and update plans. In addition to Ms. Allen and her assistant director, Avery Hunter-Brooks, MPA, the College contracts with Allied University Security, whose more than 30 officers provide 24/7 coverage at the sprawling campus.
A few months ago, the Department of Security and Public Safety installed several big-screen monitors outside Ms. Allen's Rowland Hall office to enhance and improve real-time surveillance of the campus and its healthcare clinics. A contracted security guard monitors the live video feeds from the more than 400 surveillance cameras mounted throughout the College.
“We stay focused on what's going on around campus,” says Ms. Allen.
Early in her career, Ms. Allen was a Philadelphia Police Officer for three years and a Baltimore City Police Officer for two years. She left policing after she married David and started raising a family and shifted to school safety and security. She was a school police captain in the Chester Upland School District for eight years followed by six years as the director of school safety for the Camden City School District.
Policing is still in her blood, though. Ms. Allen would rather walk around campus than sit behind her desk. Ms. Allen recalls escorting an elderly couple on campus for a medical appointment on an icy day to the parking garage out of Rowland Hall.
“Security should interact with everybody,” she says. “Even if there isn't an emergency or need for any assistance from public safety, it's always good just to say hello. I try to get out when I can. My number one love is to interact and be outside on campus.”
When there is an incident, however, Ms. Allen is first to the scene.
“I personally respond. That’s my nature. I have to be there to assess the situation, provide support and determine next steps,” she says. “One thing I've learned throughout my career is to always provide excellent customer service and to go over and beyond to help.”
Ms. Allen and her husband, David, who reside in Washington Township, N.J., became empty nesters in September when Davion, 18, began his studies at Stockton University, joining the college ranks with big sister Destiny, 19, a sophomore pre-med major at NYU. The Allen's are excited to continue their parents-vs.-kids summertime family pickleball challenge.
Ms. Allen has been coaching youth basketball in the Washington Township Parks and Recreation league for 12 years. She coached Davion and Destiny, who now assist Mom on the sidelines during their winter breaks. “My son was so good at talking with the girls—motivating them, high-fiving them, keeping their spirits up. I saw something in him,” says Ms. Allen.
Her 10- and 11-year-old girls team is undefeated. “I enjoy working with the youth and encouraging them,” she says. “That age group is where you need to give them all your encouragement and support. Sports is the place to do it.”
Ms. Allen was raised in West Oak Lane and graduated from Samuel S. Fels High School in Northeast Philadelphia. She has a Bachelor's in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management from Colorado Technical University and a Master's in Homeland Security from Saint Joseph's University.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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