Rizing Tide Foundation

03/18/2026

What happens when early-career physical therapists are invited into a room where people discuss the biggest challenges facing the PT profession?

You get candor, transparency, and a whole lot of ideas about how to shape the future of PT!

This year, through the support of the Rizing Tide community, scholars had the opportunity to attend the Graham Sessions where they listened, learned, and contributed alongside experienced clinicians and leaders. In this video, scholar Dr. Lena Parker, PT, DPT, OCS, shares a takeaway from her experience that gave her a broader view of physical therapy and the conversations shaping its future.

03/17/2026

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy is one of the smaller PT specialties, but its impact is anything but.

Cardiopulmonary PTs support individuals living with heart and lung conditions in hospitals, rehab settings, and post-acute care. They work closely with physicians and respiratory therapists, often helping patients rebuild endurance and find their footing after serious heart or lung challenges.

For students exploring specialty paths, cardiopulmonary PT offers an option rooted in teamwork, complexity, and care that stays with patients long after the session ends. 🫀🫁

03/13/2026

Orthopedic physical therapy is the most common specialty within the profession—and it's also one of the most impactful.

Why?

✅ Orthopedic PTs are often a patient’s first point of care for musculoskeletal pain and injury.
✅ Early access to physical therapy can reduce unnecessary imaging, lower healthcare costs, and help many patients avoid surgery altogether.
✅ Across acute and chronic conditions, orthopedic PT focuses on restoring function, building confidence, and improving quality of life.

03/05/2026

Allow us to interrupt your daily doomscroll with a celebration! Major kudos to two of our 2025 Surge scholars who're pursuing advanced training in orthopedic physical therapy:

🎓 Juan Avelino, DPT, who's attending the Brooks Rehabilitation Orthopedic Residency
🎓 Do Kyung Yun, DPT, who's attending the Greater Los Angeles VA Orthopaedic Residency

Orthopedic residency training demands strong clinical reasoning, dedication, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These scholars are stepping into a specialty that sits at the heart of patient-centered, evidence-based care—and we’re excited to support them as they continue to grow as clinicians and leaders! Rock on! 🤘🏼

03/02/2026

This weekend, we hosted our first Sandbar Meetup of 2026, a scholar-exclusive educational session designed to develop their professional and leadership skills. During this quarter's session, Dr. Gene Shirokobrod, PT, DPT, and Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, discussed PT compensation, from how money flows through a clinic to how that can help scholars think strategically about their personal long-term growth.

Opportunities like this are part of what makes the Rizing Tide experience unique. Beyond scholarship support, our scholars gain access to candid industry conversations, real-world education, and perspectives that help them navigate their careers with clarity and confidence!

We're so grateful to our community, and that y'all show up ready to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and grow. 🧡💚

02/23/2026

Rizing Tide scholars elevate their clinical practice beyond excellent patient care—they spot opportunities to push the profession forward.

Devon Morris, PT, DPT, OCS, a 2022 Surge scholar and graduate of Emory University’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency, recently contributed to important research examining limitations in commonly used clinical screening tools. Her work highlights how standardized criteria demonstrates serious limitations when applied across patient populations with different phenotypes, underscoring the need for equity-informed clinical decision-making.

Research like this strengthens orthopedic physical therapy by challenging assumptions and improving how clinicians evaluate risk, safety, and care for patients of all different ethnicities.

We’re proud to support scholars who combine clinical excellence with thoughtful inquiry to move the profession forward.

02/12/2026

Drumroll, please! Rizing Tide has an exciting announcement!

We are proud to introduce Tide Pool: a new digital community and formal mentorship platform for DPT students and new graduates.

The Tide Pool community will allow participants to connect with experienced PTs, attend career-focused webinars, explore helpful resources, and join ongoing conversations that support the move from school to practice.

Click here to learn more:

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

02/11/2026

Are you a student who's headed to CSM 2026? Wanna win a Theragun? 👀 Then come participate in Rizing Tide's CSM scavenger hunt! 🕵🏾‍♀️

This interactive experience is designed for DPT students who want to explore the Exhibit Hall while making meaningful, low-pressure connections with PT orgs that care about your career development. Here's how to play:

✔️ 1. Pick up a scavenger hunt card at the Rizing Tide booth.
✔️ 2. Channel your inner Nancy Drew and find the other participating booths in the CSM Exhibit Hall between Feb 12–14.
✔️ 3. Engage in real conversations, learn about different PT orgs, and complete your card.
✔️ 4. Submit your card for a chance to win a prize!

We’ll see you at CSM 2026!

02/10/2026

Headed to APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) Feb. 12–14? So are we!

Rizing Tide is exhibiting at CSM 2026, and we’d love to connect in person. Stop by booth #537 to learn about our new programs, our goals for the year ahead—or to simply say hello! 👋🏽

We’re also planning another Rizing Tide networking happy hour, so be sure to check your inbox (or stop by our booth) for details about the event. We can't wait to see you this year!

02/08/2026

Community matters. Representation matters. And no one should feel like they’re navigating this profession alone.

We’re creating new ways for minority DPT students and early-career clinicians to connect, learn, and see themselves reflected in the profession.

Announcement coming soon!

02/07/2026

PT school comes with big goals and a lot of questions about what comes next. Finding the right clinical experiences and career opportunities shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.

We’re working on something designed to connect you earlier in your journey with curated employment and clinical affiliation opportunities, all in one place.

Stay tuned.

02/07/2026

Finding the right mentor can change everything, but knowing where to start is often the hardest part.

We’ve been listening to the questions DPT students and new grads ask most, and we’re building something designed to make support, guidance, and connection easier to find.

More soon!