By Sarah R. Schwartz ’10

On Sept. 1, 2010, Arcadia University held the 7th Annual Charles Magistro Lecture. The lecture is given specifically for the benefit of first- and third-year students of the Physical Therapy program. This year’s speaker is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Board of Directors, past President of the Oncology Section, and former Arcadia Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy Nicole L. Stout, PT, MPT, CLT-LANA.

In her lecture on “Continue your Evolution,” Stout stressed the importance of the creative process, which she said helps students and working professionals to find motivation to work for a future they have not yet attained.

Stout asked students to remember three words, “Go for it,” a personal motto that she says helped her to evolve as a student, professional and leader in her field. “Be open to opportunities that come along. It is the only way you will evolve. Opportunities will come about—sometimes you’re pushed into them and you think, this isn’t what I thought it would be. But when the door opens and the opportunity is there, go for it.”

Chosen to speak this year for her continued contributions to the field, Stout is currently conducting research on two investigations that are studying changes in the upper extremity after breast cancer treatment at the Breast Care Center at the National Naval Medical Center. She has lectured and taught internationally on lymphedema and cancer rehabilitation and holds adjunct faculty appointments at several universities. She received a bachelor’s degree of Science from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a master’s of Physical Therapy from Chatham College and is pursing doctoral studies in health policy at George Washington University.

The tradition of a lecture series was established 17 years ago by the Physical Therapy Department. A physical therapist with national prominence speaks to the classes on professionalism in the field of physical therapy.

“We use this session in the first days of the first-year students’ experience to establish a context for the students’ physical therapist education and to emphasize the core values of the profession that we value so highly,” says Dr. Rebecca Craik, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy. “The faculty members at Arcadia University continue to search for the ‘magic words’ to inspire students to join the APTA, to retain membership after graduation, to participate actively in the profession and in the community, and to take on leadership roles.”

“In 2004 the lecture series was named the Charles Magistro Lecture in honor of Charles M. Magistro, PT, FAPTA, who has led a distinguished career in physical therapy as a practitioner and educator and recognized for his numerous publications and presentations in matters related to the practice, education, and administration of physical therapy programs. And even now 85-year-old Magistro still continues to be involved in the physical therapy profession,” says Craik.