The 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 from DEI efforts.

For those of us in the PT profession, this shift raises some serious concerns—especially as we grapple with a worsening provider shortage, patient wait lists, declining DPT program student applications, and an embattled industry-wide effort to make PT more accessible for patients. But here’s the real question: Have we fallen out of love with DEI, or was our love for it always conditional?

PTs fight against a well-established diversity gap.

The PT industry has historically embraced DEI as a means of addressing disparities in patient access and workforce diversity. There’s no denying that representation matters—patients benefit from providers who understand their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and studies show that diverse healthcare teams improve patient outcomes.

Yet, despite the well-documented benefits, the PT profession continues to face significant diversity challenges. As of 2024, the workforce was predominantly White (81%), with Asian (11%) individuals maintaining a far-distant second place. Black (3.7%) and Hispanic/Latino (4.6%) physical therapists are notably underrepresented compared to their proportions in the general U.S. population. 

The PT shortage shows no signs of abatement.

Right now, the PT industry is in dire need of more providers. The demand for physical therapy is growing due to an aging population, rising chronic conditions, and increased awareness of the benefits of rehabilitation. However, now we simply don’t have enough therapists to meet this demand. Outpatient clinics, hospitals, and rehab facilities are struggling to hire and retain PTs, leading to increased workloads, burnout, and, ultimately, lower-quality patient care.

Diversity initiatives meet many needs.

DEI in our industry was never just about optics—it was a key strategy in addressing this shortage. By investing in mentorship programs, scholarships, and outreach efforts targeting underrepresented communities, we are expanding the pipeline of future PTs. Without these initiatives, we risk narrowing the talent pool even further. I have to say that after attending the APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting in Houston, Texas, and speaking with many practice owners, clinic directors, and enterprise company CEOs, I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that this sentiment has not changed in our industry. There was definitely discussion about rewording outreach to prevent targeted scrutiny, but leaders collectively recognized that we have a crisis on our hands, and it’s all hands on deck to recruit the next generation of therapists and retain the amazing therapists who work in our profession today. We must continue to expand our reach and invite more aspiring young professionals to become physical therapists, helping them see it as a viable, lucrative, and impactful career. 

Has DEI “died” in physical therapy? Maybe in name, but its core principles remain essential to solving our most pressing challenges. The PT industry cannot afford to turn its back on initiatives that build a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Whether or not we call it DEI, the need for a more diverse, well-supported, and well-staffed physical therapy profession is undeniable. We here at Rizing Tide remain steadfast in our support of our scholars, our PT Pod, and our community and maintain an unwavering commitment to our mission of empowering the next generation of diverse physical therapist leaders. Together in partnership with universities, employers, and others like mission-driven non-profit organizations, we will continue to make a positive difference in the workforce and leadership development in the physical therapy profession.