Posts by Heidi Jannenga
Honoring Women’s History Month: Celebrating the Women Who Shape Us
March marks Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of the women who have shaped our world, our lives, and our profession—especially in physical therapy. As reconstruction aides, women were the founders of the physical therapy profession and continue to help advance the field, advocate for patients, and mentor the next…
Read MoreThe Death of DEI in Healthcare: What it Means for Physical Therapy
Over the past four months, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have faced a rapid decline across many different industries, including healthcare. What was once a rallying cry for representation, accessibility, and fairness in patient care and workforce development has now morphed into a divisive topic, with federal funding cuts and policy rollbacks signaling a retreat…
Read MoreThe Struggle is Real: Managing Your Mental Health as a DPT Student
Current-day DPT students are staring down a tsunami of stressful situations. Not only are you facing significant societal and professional challenges (e.g., DPT debt, social polarization, understaffed clinics, declining Medicare payments), you’re also navigating the process of becoming a licensed medical professional. The struggle is definitely real—and if you feel like you’re buckling under the…
Read MoreWhat the Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson Means for U.S. Diversity Efforts
This month, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as she became the first Black woman to secure a position on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her path was not an easy one to follow; she faced countless obstacles and a rigorous confirmation hearing—yet despite it all, she successfully claimed one of the most coveted and highly…
Read MoreHow to Build a Desire for Diversity in Your PT Clinic
Broken routines stink. There’s a special kind of frustration that accompanies an interrupted schedule—whether it’s because you unexpectedly had to pick up your kids from school, or you had to fit another patient into your schedule at the last minute. It can be really difficult to adjust and adapt to change. I know—that’s not exactly…
Read More8 Medical Professions That Need More Diversity
Improving a medical organization’s level of diversity can benefit everyone involved. Together, by making healthcare more inclusive, we can improve the patient experience, achieve better patient outcomes, and prosper together.
Read MoreWhy I Founded Rizing Tide
There is a need for more diversity in the PT workforce. I truly believe that with a racially and ethnically diverse workforce, everyone in the PT industry wins.
Read MoreThe State of Diversity in Physical Therapy
Even though PTs treat a wide variety of patients in a wide range of places, the physical therapy profession suffers from a serious lack of diversity. This negatively affects industry growth, innovation, and patient care.
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