Rizing Tide Team, Author at Rizing Tide

Advancing Men’s Pelvic Health: Expert Perspectives on the Growing Need for Specialized PTs

By Rizing Tide Team | November 11, 2025

Dr. Di Wu, who is wearing a suit jacket and a button up shirt, and Zhen Chen, who is wearing a blue button up shirt, stand in front of a navy blue and terracotta-colored background. A title reads "Let's talk about men's pelvic health."

Men’s pelvic health is a deeply under-explored area of physical therapy. While DPT programs may set aside some time to cover women’s pelvic health, the curriculum often overlooks how conditions present in men—such as with urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pelvic pain. As a result, many men struggle with health challenges that go untreated—despite…

Survival Skills for the New Era of PT: Reflections from the 2025 Graham Sessions

By Rizing Tide Team | March 6, 2025

Illustration of a Black woman in an orange shirt sitting at a desk that's surrounded by plants. She's looking at a book and a laptop and holding a pen, as if preparing to write.

What do you get when you bring together some of the brightest minds in physical therapy to discuss the new era of the profession? You get some whip-smart dialogue—and even better ideas. The 2025 Graham Sessions endeavored to do just this; innovative PTs gathered together in Colorado Springs to hold open, honest conversations about the…

Valerie Rucker-Bussie Joins Rizing Tide as Community Development Officer

By Rizing Tide Team | January 13, 2025

Rizing Tide is excited to welcome Valerie Rucker-Bussie, PT, DPT, NCS, as its new Community Development Officer. A seasoned physical therapist with a strong focus on workforce development, Valerie brings extensive experience to the table—alongside a fiery passion for improving lives. We recently sat down with Valerie to learn more about her journey, her vision…

From Entrepreneur to PT Advocate: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Li Chen

By Rizing Tide Team | November 18, 2024

Li Chen smiling slightly while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Li Chen, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the fourth installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Li Chen’s hard work and dedication have taken her far in life—ultimately helping her excel in Duke University’s doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program. As…

Championing Community and Care: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Emmanuel Noye

By Rizing Tide Team | August 29, 2024

Emmanuel Noye smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Emmanuel Noye, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the third installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! In the bustling halls of North Central College, Emmanuel Noye, affectionately known as Manny, stands out not just because of his warm smile and affable…

Inspired by Experience, Driven by Purpose: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Faith Blanchard-Ludanga

By Rizing Tide Team | July 24, 2024

Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the second installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Faith Blanchard-Ludanga, a dedicated student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, is on a mission to bring healing and hope to her community…

Inspired by Family, Driven to Dream: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Darwin Sandoval

By Rizing Tide Team | June 14, 2024

Darwin Sandoval, smiling while on a virtual phone call. Next to him, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Darwin Sandoval, 2023 Crest Scholar."

This is the first installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars from Fleet III. Stay tuned for the next installment! For Darwin Sandoval, obtaining a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree means absolutely everything. A dedicated student at Saint Joseph’s University, Darwin…

How to Prepare for Physical Therapy School

By Rizing Tide Team | April 8, 2024

Illustration of a person standing at a fork in the road. Each road leads to a school house, but each path is dotted with hazards and pitfalls.

Journeying toward a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree is an incredibly rewarding pursuit. DPTs change their patients’ lives each and every day, offering support and a helping hand to many people who are experiencing life lows. But the DPT journey itself is far from effortless. From crafting a perfect application to surmounting serious financial…

Rizing Tide’s Third Anniversary: A Celebration of Empowerment, Progress, and Community

By Rizing Tide Team | October 16, 2023 |

The headshots of Rizing Tide Crest scholars, Ricky Locci, Elisha Li, and Tyrell McGee sit on a green background with artistic beige and dull blue circles.

As we commemorate the third anniversary of the Rizing Tide Foundation, the team has just one thing to say: What a whirlwind! Our mission of empowering a new generation of BIPOC leaders in the physical therapy profession is making some serious progress. It’s an honor to witness the tremendous growth of our older cohorts of…

Pioneering Change in Pelvic Health: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Bridget Ochuko

By Rizing Tide Team | September 27, 2023

Bridget Ochuko, mid-conversation while on a virtual phone call. Next to her, green text reads "Rizing Tide, Bridget Ochuko, DPT, 2022 Surge Scholar."

This is the thirteenth (and final) installment of the 2022 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment! Bridget Ochuko’s journey into the field of physical therapy began with a desire to improve the well-being of others. Her background as an…