40 Under 40: Lt. Shantel Blume ’13DPT

My two-week pro bono experience providing physical therapy services to the underserved in St. Elizabeth Parrish, Jamaica was amazing. The icing on the cake was speaking at the Mütter Museum on behalf of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program about pro bono and experiential learning opportunities. 

Arcadia gave me the opportunity to serve people in ways that I never imagined. From the experiential learning experiences in the greater Philadelphia area to the opportunities to study abroad, I built my confidence and competence in my clinical and interpersonal skills. The Arcadia experience ignited my love of serving underserved populations and ultimately led me to my current position with the Indian Health Service as a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). 

In the next five years, I plan to earn my Field Readiness Medical Badge (FMRB), be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) and, perhaps most importantly, endow a scholarship to benefit underrepresented ethnic minorities entering the field of physical therapy.