Summary: Rizing Tide has selected 20 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds for its 2026 Crest Scholarships, expanding financial support, mentorship, and leadership development for the next generation of physical therapists.
Rizing Tide, a foundation dedicated to expanding access to physical therapy by creating a more inclusive workforce through scholarships and professional development, today announced the 2026 recipients of the Crest Scholarship. Twenty winners from 19 accredited programs across the United States and Puerto Rico were selected from a competitive pool of more than 500 applicants. These outstanding scholars are part of the foundation’s ongoing pledge to award up to $570,000 in scholarships to DPT students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, reinforcing a long-term commitment to diversifying the field of physical therapy.
“I’m proud to welcome the 2026 Crest scholars into the Rizing Tide community and celebrate their incredible potential,” said Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, founder of Rizing Tide. “This fleet of academically outstanding future PTs, the majority of whom are first-generation college students, are all driven to make a meaningful difference in the profession and the world.”
The journey to receiving a Crest Scholarship is rigorous. The 2026 Rizing Tide Crest scholars were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of their academic achievement, leadership potential, commitment to community service, and profound passion for advancing the physical therapy profession. In addition to receiving critical financial support to help ease the burden of graduate education expenses, these scholars receive holistic professional backing. This includes dedicated mentorship and comprehensive leadership development programming, featuring all-inclusive access to the North Star Summit, the foundation’s premier annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona. By bringing these students together, Rizing Tide fosters a powerful network of peers and seasoned professionals designed to support them throughout their academic journeys and well into their clinical careers.
The impact of the foundation is further amplified by the generosity and dedication of physical therapists and industry leaders who actively invest in the next generation of clinicians. This year’s scholarship program was made possible through the collective contributions of these stakeholders, demonstrating a shared industry-wide commitment to representation, equity, and excellence in rehabilitation medicine.
Among this year’s notable donors is Ricardo “Ricky” Locci, PT, DPT, MPH, CSCS, a 2021 Crest scholar and a historic figure in the foundation’s history as the first former winner to personally fund a scholarship. Locci has once again demonstrated his dedication to the mission by donating $5,000 to sponsor a Crest: Rizing Star Scholarship. His ongoing support reflects the profound, lasting impact of the Rizing Tide community and serves as a powerful full-circle moment of today’s scholars becoming tomorrow’s leaders and financial supporters.
“Receiving a Crest Scholarship changed the trajectory of my career, and sponsoring a scholarship for the second year in a row is my way of welcoming a new cohort of scholars into the same community that helped shape me,” said Locci. “Congratulations to this year’s scholars. I can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make on your patients, your communities, and our profession. I’m honored to welcome you into this community.”
The foundation’s support network extends beyond entry-level DPT students to encompass advanced clinical training for licensed professionals. This year, Larry Benz, PT, DPT, also contributed $10,000 to support a 2026 Surge Scholarship, helping one licensed physical therapist pursue advanced residency training. By supporting both DPT candidates and licensed clinicians pursuing specialization, Rizing Tide addresses workforce diversity and professional advancement across multiple critical stages of a physical therapist’s career lifecycle.
Looking ahead, the foundation continues to expand its reach. Applications for the 2027 Crest Scholarship cycle will officially open on April 1, 2027. Meanwhile, Rizing Tide’s Surge Scholarship, which is specifically designed for licensed physical therapists pursuing U.S.-based residency programs, currently has its application cycle open. To learn more about upcoming scholarship opportunities, make a financial donation, or explore organizational partnership opportunities, interested parties can visit the foundation’s official website at www.rizing-tide.com.
