Rizing Tide Foundation

Rizing Tide Foundation Empowering a new generation of leaders in the PT profession through scholarships and community. 💪🏽🧡 Want to learn more about our scholarships?

Rizing Tide is a charitable foundation that offers scholarships, mentorship, and networking connections in an effort to empower a new generation of BIPOC leaders in the physical therapy profession. Our vision is to broaden the reach, impact, and accessibility of physical therapy by advancing diversity and inclusiveness in the PT workforce. Founded in 2020 by Dr. Heidi Jannenga, physical therapist

and co-founder of WebPT, Rizing Tide is working to build a better, more inclusive healthcare landscape for patients and providers alike. Here's the most important info:

🌊Crest Scholarship🌊
Awarded to students of underrepresented racial or ethnic descent who are entering their first or second year of DPT school. Each Crest scholarship awards up to $14,000 to each student—and may be renewed twice. The 2023 application window runs from April 1 through June 30, 2023.

🌊Surge Scholarship🌊
Awarded to graduating DPT students or licensed physical therapists of underrepresented racial or ethnic descent who are entering a residency program. Each Surge scholarship awards a one-time payment of up to $10,000 to each student. The 2023 application window runs from July 1 through September 30, 2023.

09/04/2026

What makes you stand out in a physical therapy interview?

Landing an interview is only the first step. How you talk about your experience, the questions you ask, and what you learn about the employer shapes what happens next.

On Saturday, September 5, at 8 AM PDT / 11 AM EDT, Rizing Tide will host a PT Pod webinar featuring Lisa Hyder of Kure Practice Resource Partners focused on navigating the interview process.

Lisa will share what employers are looking for in an interview, how candidates can prepare, and what PTs should ask to figure out whether a role is right for them. If you’re preparing to enter the job market or want to sharpen your interviewing skills, this webinar is for you.

What’s one interview question you’ve never quite known how to answer?

It’s that time of year again! The 2026 Surge scholarship application window is NOW OPEN! 📭Know an exceptional DPT reside...
09/01/2026

It’s that time of year again! The 2026 Surge scholarship application window is NOW OPEN! 📭

Know an exceptional DPT resident who could use some financial support? The Surge Scholarship provides up to $10,000 to help residents pay for the costs of residency, allowing them to build their expertise and direct their career with a little less stress.

Send them our way and encourage them to apply!

Application window closes October 6:

Surge Scholarship Rizing Tide will annually award the Surge scholarship to graduating physical therapy students or licensed physical therapists from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds who are entering an accredited residency program. Apply Now Surge FAQ The 2026 Surge applica...

Our scholars are the coolest—and we want you to get to know them! In our latest blog, come meet meet four Rizing Tide Cr...
08/19/2026

Our scholars are the coolest—and we want you to get to know them! In our latest blog, come meet meet four Rizing Tide Crest scholars whose experiences ignited their passion for physical therapy and their commitment to expanding access, representation, and opportunity within the profession.

From serving Spanish-speaking communities and providing healthcare in the Navajo Nation to building community for underrepresented students and encouraging future scholars, these stories will show you just how special our scholars are!

The next generation of PTs is an inspiring one!

Come meet the exceptional and high-achieving DPT students who won a Rizing Tide Crest Scholarship in 2024!

08/11/2026

Sports physical therapy is often associated with professional athletes and game-day injuries.

But as 2022 Rizing Tide Surge scholar Dr. Keairez Coleman, PT, DPT, SCS, CPSS, CSCS, shares in this video, the specialty is about so much more than sports. At its core, sports PT is helping people return to the activities that bring meaning to their lives, whether that's competing on the field, staying active with family, or simply getting back to a normal routine.

The specialty combines movement science, problem-solving, and patient relationships to help individuals recover, perform, and thrive.

Watch as Keairez shares a common misconception about sports physical therapy and what makes this area of practice so rewarding:

🎉Big news from Rizing Tide! 🥂🎊It's time to proudly introduce our 2026 Crest scholars. Twenty exceptional DPT students we...
08/05/2026

🎉Big news from Rizing Tide! 🥂🎊

It's time to proudly introduce our 2026 Crest scholars. Twenty exceptional DPT students were selected from a record-breaking pool of more than 500 applicants and represent 19 accredited DPT programs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

With this year's cohort, Rizing Tide has now awarded 118 scholarships totaling more than $2.5 million, expanding access to physical therapy education and supporting the next generation of clinicians.

Congratulations to our newest Crest and Rizing Star scholars. We can't wait to see the effect you'll have on your patients, your communities, and our profession.

Meet the 2026 cohort and learn more:

/PRNewswire/ -- Rizing Tide, a foundation dedicated to expanding access to physical therapy by creating a more inclusive workforce through scholarships and...

Residency can be an incredible opportunity, but it is not the only path to becoming an exceptional physical therapist.In...
07/28/2026

Residency can be an incredible opportunity, but it is not the only path to becoming an exceptional physical therapist.

In the latest post in our career series, we explore one of the biggest decisions facing new grads: Is a residency the right next step for your career?

We spoke with Dr. Nick Rainey, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, owner of Rainey Pain & Performance, and Dr. Jessi Vaught, PT, DPT, NCS, physical therapy advisor at Sheltering Arms Institute, about the questions every new clinician should consider before committing to a residency program.

They discussed mentorship, clinical growth, career goals, and how to evaluate whether a residency aligns with the kind of clinician you want to become.

Whether you're considering a residency or exploring other ways to grow as a clinician, this is a conversation worth your time!

Read more here: 👇🏾

Is residency the best way to further your career path as a physical therapist? Check out this advice from career pathing experts.

07/24/2026

In sports rehabilitation, success is often built on the details.

For 2024 Rizing Tide Surge scholar Dr. Christy Effendie-Peterson, PT, DPT, CSCS, some of the most important factors in recovery are the ones that can be easy to overlook: the small adjustments, patient conversations, and individualized decisions that help athletes return to the activities they love.

Sports physical therapy is about so much more than getting someone back in the game. It is about understanding each athlete’s goals, building trust, and helping them perform at their best.

In this video, Christy reflects on an important lesson she has learned through working with athletes and active individuals:

07/20/2026

You're leaving DPT school totally ready to treat patients and manage their care—but are you equally prepared to manage your finances?

Clinical skills are only one part of building a successful PT career. Understanding how to manage your finances, negotiate your salary, and plan for the future matters just as much.

On Thursday, July 23, at 5 PM PDT / 8 PM EDT, Rizing Tide will host a PT Pod webinar featuring Brett Carey, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones and Adjunct Faculty at Hawaii Pacific University, on financial health for PTs.

This conversation will explore practical strategies for building financial confidence early in your career and making informed decisions that support your personal and professional goals. PT Pod members, be sure to reach out to Belen Greth to sign up to attend!

What financial topic do you hope to learn more about? 🤔

DPT new grads face a lot of unknowns, but one of the biggest questions they face is this: Should you specialize early an...
07/14/2026

DPT new grads face a lot of unknowns, but one of the biggest questions they face is this: Should you specialize early and pursue residency training or start broad and refine your path over time?

We decided to dig into this question by sourcing advice from Nick Rainey, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, owner of Rainey Pain & Performance, and Jessi Vaught, PT, DPT, NCS, physical therapy advisor at Sheltering Arms Institute, asking how specialties evolve, how different settings shape your day-to-day experience, and what new clinicians should consider as they navigate their next steps.

If you are weighing specialties, exploring residency options, or trying to figure out where you fit within the profession, check out this convo!

How can a physical therapy student decide which specialty is right for them? Read advice from career pathing experts.

07/07/2026

Do you need a leadership title to be a leader?

Leadership can show up in how we advocate for patients, support colleagues, and build stronger teams.

On Saturday, July 11, at 11:00 AM EDT / 8:00 AM PDT, Rizing Tide will host a PT Pod webinar featuring Dr. Kyle Davis, PT, DPT, OCS, Director of Student Experience at Spear Physical Therapy, on Leading Before the License: Essential Skills for PT Students.

This conversation will explore how clinicians can grow as leaders throughout their careers and why fostering an inclusive environment that prioritizes belonging is essential to building stronger teams and providing better patient experiences.

What does leadership look like in your day-to-day practice?

Address

4545 N 36th Street, Suite 109
Phoenix, AZ
85018

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rizing Tide Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Rizing Tide Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share