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Press Release: Rizing Tide Foundation Reports 2025 Growth and New Programs Supporting DPT Students

Foundation highlights growth in sponsorships, scholar recognition, and expanded mentorship and professional development initiatives

(PHOENIX – Jan. 26, 2026) – Rizing Tide, a foundation dedicated to expanding access to physical therapy by creating a more inclusive workforce through scholarships and professional development, shared today reflections on its growth in 2025. This update highlights strong industry support, scholar achievement, and new initiatives designed to advance scholars’ professional growth.

During 2025, Rizing Tide added 18 new sponsors and Employer Connect partners who helped fund scholarships, professional development programming, and career-building opportunities for DPT students and early-career clinicians. Since its establishment, Rizing Tide has supported 93 scholars and pledged $2.3 million toward DPT education and residency scholarships anchored by notable industry practices: 

“As we reflect on the progress Rizing Tide made in 2025, I’m continually inspired by the collective commitment of our scholars, sponsors and partners,” said Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, founder and CEO of Rizing Tide. “When we see our community members return to sponsor, mentor, advocate, or select a new cohort of scholars, it reinforces the power of coalition and shared responsibility. Now more than ever, support for these students is needed to help grow and retain physical therapists in our profession.”

Several Rizing Tide scholars received external recognition in 2025, including:

  • Sixella Caballero, recipient of the APTA North Carolina Community Impact Challenge
  • Zahraa Darwich, PT, DPT, recipient of the APTA Michigan Outstanding Student Physical Therapist Award
  • Nia Ahart, recipient of the APTA Michigan Institute for Education and Research Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists Scholarship
  • Said Mendez, PT, DPT, LAT, ATC, recipient of the APTA Mary McMillan Student Scholarship Award, the APTA North Carolina Outstanding PT Student Award, and the APTA Academy of Orthopaedics Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Award

Another notable milestone in 2025 was the sponsorship of the Crest: Rizing Star Scholarship by Ricardo “Ricky” Locci, PT, DPT, CSCS, a 2021 Rizing Tide Crest scholar who has returned to the foundation as a donor after graduating and entering the profession. His sponsorship reflects a full-circle moment for the foundation and highlights the long-term returns of supporting students who go on to lead, give back, and uplift the physical therapy community.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities, financial support, mentorship, community, and education that Rizing Tide provided throughout my time in DPT school,” said Locci. “That support played a pivotal role in shaping my career, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I’m proud to pay that experience forward by supporting another scholar. Thank you to Heidi and Rizing Tide!”

In early 2026, Rizing Tide will roll out the Tide Pool, a digital community designed to become the ultimate career booster for DPT students and new graduates who have previously applied for the Rizing Tide scholarship. Members will be able to attend exclusive career development webinars, formally connect with expert mentors, and find fellowship with other minority DPT peers across the country. 

Alongside its annual programming, in 2026 Rizing Tide also sent four Surge scholars to the APTA Private Practice Section’s Graham Sessions conference as part of its effort to increase student access to professional development environments. The foundation is actively seeking other philanthropic partners to assist its focus to expand community engagement through structured mentorship, networking, and employer connection opportunities.

Rizing Tide welcomes partners and donors interested in contributing life-changing support for DPT students as the foundation looks to support more than 100 scholarship winners and 2,000 community members with its educational enrichment opportunities. The scholarship fund not only directly reduces student debt, but changes the career trajectory for each of the winners. Sponsorships, donations, and partnerships help expand these future leaders’ access to conferences, speakers, and professional development opportunities.

To learn more about the Employer Connect program, visit www.rizing-tide.com/engage/employer-connect. To support current and future scholars, visit www.rizing-tide.com/donate.

About Rizing Tide

Rizing Tide was founded in 2020 by Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, to help bridge the diversity gap in the physical therapy profession. She is the co-founder of WebPT and a physical therapist with 30 years of experience in the rehab therapy industry. The foundation annually awards scholarships to DPT students and residents from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds in an effort to make a meaningful, generational impact on the physical therapy industry, and has pledged a total of $2.3 million to students to date. This achievement underscores the foundation’s unwavering commitment to the success of its beneficiaries and its mission to create a more inclusive future for the physical therapy profession. Learn more at www.rizing-tide.com. 

CONTACT:
Kristin Hege
Kristin@ConveyCommsAgency.com
480.540.6496

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About the Author

  • Rizing Tide is a scholarship program designed to empower a new generation of BIPOC leaders in the physical therapy profession. We partner with PT and PTA students, PT residents, and industry leaders to advance diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy workforce and inspire better—and more accessible—patient care.

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