The biggest challenge in private practice physical therapy right now is not a lack of patients. It is finding and keeping great physical therapists. As clinics across the country compete for talent, one initiative is taking a broader and more meaningful approach to the problem: helping develop the next generation of PT leaders from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

On this episode of the Grow Your Practice Podcast, Chad Madden spoke with Heidi Jannenga, founder of Rizing Tide, and Shelley Menk, a recent DPT graduate and Rizing Tide scholar, about how scholarships, mentorship, and community can help solve some of the profession’s most pressing challenges.

The Problem: PT Needs More Clinicians—and More Diverse Voices

The physical therapy profession has faced a clinician shortage for years. But Heidi points out that the issue is not only about the number of therapists. It is also about who is represented in the profession.

Rizing Tide was created to empower physical therapy students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The mission is rooted in improving access, strengthening patient care, and creating a profession that better reflects the communities it serves.

Heidi shared that her motivation was also personal. As a mixed-race physical therapist, she understood the value of belonging, representation, and trust. In clinical practice, especially in sports medicine, she noticed that patients often connected more quickly with providers who shared similar backgrounds or lived experiences.

That connection matters. When patients feel seen, heard, and understood, trust builds faster. And when trust improves, care often becomes more effective.

Key Insight: Scholarships Are Only the Beginning

Rizing Tide is not simply a scholarship program. Heidi made it clear that the organization is not just “writing checks.” Instead, Rizing Tide surrounds scholars with mentorship, community, leadership development, and professional connections.

The organization has now supported dozens of scholars across DPT programs and residency pathways. Its scholarships include financial support for students entering or progressing through DPT programs, as well as residency scholarships for clinicians pursuing advanced training.

For Shelley Menk, that support was life-changing. As she considered residency, she had to weigh the financial stress of taking a pay cut while continuing her education. The Rizing Tide scholarship helped reduce that burden, allowing her to focus more fully on learning, mentorship, continuing education, and professional growth.

But the financial support was only one piece. Shelley emphasized the value of being connected with other scholars and clinicians. Through Rizing Tide’s community, she has access to peers in different specialties, mentors who can answer questions, and a network of people who want to help each other grow.

What New PT Graduates Really Want

One of the most valuable parts of the conversation came when Chad asked Shelley what new physical therapists are looking for from employers.

Her answer was clear: support.

Shelley explained that new graduates want to be seen as more than a productivity number. They want employers who care about their development, help them identify goals, connect them with mentors, and support their growth as clinicians.

She shared an example of a past employer who asked team members about their goals during performance reviews and then connected them with colleagues who had the skills they wanted to build. That kind of intentional mentorship made Shelley feel valued and supported.

Compensation still matters, especially with student loans. But Shelley and Heidi both noted that salary alone is not enough. Culture, mentorship, autonomy, and feeling seen can be powerful differentiators for practice owners trying to recruit and retain great therapists.

Rizing Tide is addressing several challenges at once: student debt, lack of diversity, mentorship gaps, clinician development, and employer access to emerging talent. For practice owners, it also offers a way to get involved through applicant review, mentorship, donations, and employer connection opportunities.

The future of physical therapy depends on more than filling open roles. It depends on building a profession where talented clinicians are supported, represented, and prepared to lead.

To learn more or get involved, visit rizing-tide.com.