APTQI Donates $25,000 to Support the Next Generation of Physical Therapists
The donation to the Rizing Tide Foundation will support scholarships that promote diversity in the physical therapy workforce
Washington, D.C. –– The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) today announced it is donating $25,000 to the Rizing Tide Foundation, a distinguished charitable organization working to improve the racial diversity of the physical therapy profession, as part of its annual giving program.
“APTQI believes in the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on shaping the future of our profession,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “Rizing Tide is working to empower the next generation of diverse leaders in physical therapy, and we’re proud to support them in their mission. We’re committed to creating a more inclusive and vibrant healthcare landscape, and we’re excited to help achieve that goal alongside Rizing Tide.”
“We are very grateful for APTQI’s generous donation and continued support of Rizing Tide’s mission to broaden the reach, impact, and accessibility of physical therapy by creating a greater sense of belonging in the PT workforce,” said Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC, founder and CEO of Rizing Tide. “APTQI’s charitable gift strengthens our ability to change our scholars’ lives and fuels our goal of building a supportive community of sponsors, mentors, and allies. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for the profession.”
The Rizing Tide Foundation stewards a scholarship program designed to empower a new generation of leaders in the physical therapy profession. By providing both financial support and educational enrichment, Rizing Tide aims to transform the physical therapy workforce by closing the existing diversity gap. Each year, the foundation awards 20 Crest scholarships of up to $42,000 to students entering their first or second year of an accredited US-based doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program. The foundation also awards annual Surge scholarships of up to $10,000 to three DPTs attending a residency. Now in its third year, the organization has committed a total of $1.1 million in scholarship funding to 44 DPT students and residents.
APTQI finds common ground with Rizing Tide in believing that fostering more diversity in the physical therapy workforce can empower therapists to provide even better care to an increasingly diverse patient population. Together, we will grow a strong pipeline of PT providers by investing early in students and welcoming them into a supportive community as they begin their physical therapist careers.
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