Rizing Tide received a $15,000 donation that will help the foundation promote racial diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy workforce.

Rizing Tide, a foundation dedicated to advancing racial diversity and inclusiveness in the physical therapy (PT) workforce, announced that The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) donated $15,000 to the foundation as part of its annual giving program.

The donation will benefit the Surge scholarship program for students attending accredited PT residency programs. Applications for the foundation’s 2023 Crest scholarship program open on April 1, 2023.

“Rizing Tide is an incredible organization and APTQI is honored to support its mission in cultivating diversity and equity among the next generation of physical therapy leaders,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, executive director of APTQI. “We look forward to seeing the impact these scholarships create as they help broaden the visibility and accessibility of physical therapy in the world.”

Rizing Tide has awarded 21 scholarships and pledged over $500K to students. Each year, the organization awards Crest scholarships to DPT graduates and/or PTAs attending a DPT bridge program, as well as Surge scholarships to graduating students and/or working physical therapists entering a residency program.

“APTQI’s generous contribution and continued support will help Rizing Tide support future generations of physical therapists from underrepresented backgrounds,” said Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC, founder of Rizing Tide. “This charitable donation from APTQI will support Rizing Tide’s commitment to double the number of scholarships awarded in 2023.”

Applications for the 2023 Crest scholarship will open April 1, 2023. The Crest scholarship is awarded to Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students who identify as BIPOC and are pursuing a DPT degree.

Applicants must be either undergraduate students who have been accepted into an accredited DPT program, first or second-year PT students currently enrolled in an accredited PT program, or PTAs entering a bridge PT program. Each Crest scholarship awards up to $14,000 per year to each student—and may be renewed twice.

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