When customers at Laete, a women's clothing store on Germantown Avenue, began praising the stunning holiday window displays, owner Jennifer Spaeth had to confess - the artistic arrangements weren't her work. They were the creations of Dr. Jennifer Morello, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and Temple Medical School alumna who traded her stethoscope for a florist's shears.

Morello, who completed her residency in internal medicine in 2003, might seem like an unlikely candidate for a career in floral design. But she's not unique – a Google search reveals at least one other physician-turned-florist, Dr. Susan Garetz, an ear, nose and throat specialist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who made a similar career switch. "I wanted to make people happy," Garetz told the Wall Street Journal, "and who doesn't love to get flowers?"

"I was pregnant when I finished my medical residency," said Morello, who has lived in Mt. Airy for 14 years. "I stayed home to raise my daughter and never practiced medicine again. I did a lot of volunteering. I have always loved flowers, so since I was home I took classes and entered shows."

The half-Italian, half-Irish doctor found herself increasingly drawn to the artistry of floral design. "After a while it became more than a hobby. I love growing things and making floral arrangements. I finally thought that you have to pursue what you love to do, so maybe I could do it as a business. Eventually, I decided to take the leap."

In 2020, Morello launched Olivia Lucas Designs, named for her children Olivia and Lucas (though they go by Liv and Luke). The timing, coinciding with the Covid pandemic, wasn't ideal for an event-based business. "I tip-toed into it," she said. "My first real event was in October of 2021."

That first event was ambitious – a 300-person gala at Loews Hotel. "I thought I would not want to deal with brides, but now I love it," she said. "It was a great way to get started. But I wanted smaller events mainly. I do it all alone except for help on the day of the event. I realized I needed to give up some control."

Since then, she's handled everything from intimate dinner parties to her largest event yet: a gathering of 700-800 people at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. "A big truck came and delivered all of the flowers," she recalled.

Now president of the Wissahickon Garden Club, Morello has developed a distinctive approach to her craft. "I'm sustainable. All our flowers are local and American grown. I don't use foam or single-use plastic. All are compostable and reusable," she said. This environmental consciousness extends beyond her business – she recently gave a garden club talk on soil's role in health and climate change.

"This is the culmination of my education," she reflected. "If I were still practicing medicine, I would not be a traditional doctor. I want to share and teach."

Her artistic talent has earned recognition beyond her event work. At the 2024 Philadelphia Flower Show, Morello won a first place Garden Club of America Certificate of Excellence for her botanical arts entry – a "clutch purse" inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe, who often featured flowers or gardens in her art. The piece was crafted entirely from dried plant materials, primarily poppy seeds.

"The seeds are painted first. I did them in blocks of color. Then I glued them on individually, using a toothpick," she explained. "The chain is made out of basket weaving reed and the stems from allium. The edging and the sides are cornhusk. The skull is made from a pecan shell and kiwi vine."

Clients rave about her work. Marybeth Medernach of Chestnut Hill hired Morello for her daughter Anne's wedding last September. "Jen's work was over and above our wildest dreams," Medernach said. "She's so incredibly talented and the loveliest person to work with. She's more than a florist. She's an artist who can translate your dreams into reality."

Morello handles about 15 weddings annually, along with the Holiday House Tour, numerous dinner parties and large events. For Thanksgiving, she orchestrated a dinner for 15, managing everything from linens and furniture to event décor, signage, seating charts and staging. She also teaches workshops on floral design and what she calls "slow food, slow flowers and slow drinks."

The work can be surprisingly physical. "I have bruises and cuts. I carry around big containers of water. In fact, I take a heating pad with me when I go on a job," she said. "Freelancers laugh at me. I admit I'm a control freak, but I do love it."

For more information, visit olivialucasdesign.com or @olivialucasdesign.