Rizing Tide Foundation

11/28/2025

Today, on Native American Heritage Day, we recognize the importance of representation in healthcare.

""One of the long-term goals I have is to return back to my community back on the Navajo reservation. When I was working at the medical center, one of the elders approached me and told me that they enjoyed being treated by someone who looked like them. And that's always been something that's stuck in my heart."" —Jayln Gorman, 2024 Rizing Tide Crest Scholar

We’re so proud to support scholars like Jalyn who are driven to serve and uplift their communities!

11/27/2025

Rizing Tide has a lofty goal: to broaden the reach, impact, and accessibility of PT by advancing diversity and inclusiveness in the PT workforce. During our five years of operation, we've made some serious headway—and that's all thanks to the support of our community. On this day of thanks, we want to shout out everyone who has made our progress possible.

We’re thankful for our scholars and their commitment to improving the lives of their patients and the future of physical therapy.

We’re grateful for our employers and sponsors who've supported our mission and opened doors for future PTs.

And finally, we're deeply appreciative of our Beachcombers, our selection committee, speakers, volunteers, and all those who believe in our vision.

From all of us at Rizing Tide, thank you so much—and we wish you a warm and restful holiday. 🧡🤎

11/18/2025

Did you know Native American women earn about half of what their white male coworkers make in a year?

On Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, Rizing Tide is focused on supporting Indigenous women in PT and expanding opportunities that help our profession better reflect the communities we serve.

We’re creating opportunities through mentorship and scholarships to grow a diverse PT workforce. Join us in advocating for fair pay, supporting Indigenous women in PT, and closing the wage gap.

11/13/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Titilayo Akinmusuru, PT, DPT, director of acute care therapy at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, for leading the latest PT Pod webinar on acute care physical therapy!

Dr. Akinmusuru shared an inside look at what it’s like to help patients regain strength and mobility during critical stages of recovery in a hospital setting. She taught us how vital acute care PTs are in helping patients take their first steps toward healing.

As she shared with our scholars, “If you can make it in acute care, you can make it anywhere.”

At Rizing Tide, we’re proud to give future PTs opportunities to explore the many specialties within rehab therapy and hear directly from leaders who are shaping the field.

11/12/2025

Why is men’s pelvic health still overlooked in physical therapy?

While DPT programs often cover women’s pelvic health, male patients with pelvic pain, urinary issues, or sexual dysfunction are still too often left without specialized care. That’s where Integrated Pelvic Care - IPC is changing the narrative.

In our latest blog, we highlight the growing need for PTs trained in men’s pelvic health and share insights from experts Dr. Di Wu and Zhen Chen, co-founders of IPC. Their goal is to provide PTs with the skills and confidence to treat this often overlooked population, improving outcomes and helping more men regain comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

Learn more about why specialized training matters and how you can be part of this change:

Pelvic health is a growing physical therapy specialty—but its typical focus leaves behind one large patient population.

11/07/2025

What makes Rizing Tide different from any other scholarship organization is its commitment to helping SPTs learn about the specialties that exist in rehab therapy.

Members of the Rizing Tide PT Pod can join our next webinar, featuring Dr. Titilayo Akinmusuru, PT, DPT, director of acute care therapy at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, tomorrow, November 8, at 7:00 AM PDT / 10:00 AM EDT. Attendees will get an inside look at the world of acute care physical therapy, where PTs patients regain strength and mobility in a hospital setting.

If you’re curious about hospital-based PT or you're considering a career in acute care, you won’t want to miss this conversation! Email Belen to learn more and reserve your spot.

11/04/2025

Our 2025 Surge scholars are here! This year, we awarded a scholarship to five doctors of physical therapy who are pursuing advanced education through residency training. Their dedication, passion, and leadership are inspirational—and promise a bright future for our profession.

2025 Surge Scholars
Gabriela Rodriguez: University of Central Florida & Orlando Health Neurologic Residency
Maya Jones: Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation & Texas Woman's University in Dallas Physical Therapy Residency in Women's Health
Juan Avelino: Brooks Rehabilitation Orthopedic Residency

2025 Surge Rizing Star Scholars
Zoe Dickerson: Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation Oncology Residency
Do Kyung Yun: Greater Los Angeles VA Orthopedic Residency

Learn more about the 2025 Surge cohort and how Rizing Tide is creating a more inclusive future for the physical therapy profession:

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

11/01/2025

Did you know that there are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes across the U.S.? November 1 marks the beginning of Native American Heritage Month: a time to honor the history of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Rizing Tide celebrates these communities, knowing that their hard-won wisdom and commitment to holistic wellness are values that will continue to inspire the future of healthcare and beyond.

11/01/2025

Every cempasúchil, candle, and photo on the ofrenda carries a story—one of life, love, and tradition. Día de Mu***os is a celebration of memory, connection, and the lasting beauty of legacy.

Today, we take a moment to remember those who’ve shaped our paths, knowing that their spirits continues to guide how we care for others.

10/29/2025

What does true leadership in physical therapy look like?

For Dr. Devon Morris, PT, DPT, OCS, it means there's no time to waste.

"Students and trainees can lead right now. Whether it’s through working in community health clinics, mentoring in student organizations, volunteering in local schools, or organizing a service event, each experience adds up. These efforts help close representation gaps and prepare the next generation of professionals to step into leadership with confidence."

Read more of Dr. Morris's takeaways from the 2025 NABPT Synergy Summit here:

Dr. Devon Morris shares the lessons about leadership and community-building she learned at the 2025 NABPT Synergy Summit.

10/27/2025

Strong referral relationships are essential for new clinicians entering the DPT field. While direct access laws are expanding, collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals remains a key part of building trust, growing a practice, and improving patient care.

For early-career PTs, networking is the best way to start this collaborative process. Sharing outcomes and demonstrating how PT adds value to the patient journey can work wonders. When referral partners see your expertise in action, they see you as an extension of the care team.

At Rizing Tide, we prepare scholars with the professional confidence to build these vital connections. Leadership in PT goes beyond what happens in the clinic—it's about how we work within the healthcare system to ensure patients get the care they need.

10/22/2025

A huge thank you to Dr. Brittany Ballentine, PT, DPT, CPT, and Dr. Alexandria Sharpe, PT, DPT, for speaking during our latest PT Pod webinar on travel PT!

Dr. Ballentine reminded us that success in this field comes down to “agility over time,” sharing that “it’s not about how long you’ve been a PT, but how quickly you can adapt.”

And as Dr. Sharpe put it, “there’s not an outpatient ortho clinic I couldn’t walk into now and thrive in—and that’s because of travel.”

At Rizing Tide, we’re proud to help student PTs explore new career paths and avenues for adventure.