Rizing Tide Foundation Announces 2026 Surge Scholarship Recipients

Five physical therapists pursuing specialty residency training will receive scholarships supporting their continued education and development as future leaders in the profession

PHOENIX, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rizing Tide, a foundation dedicated to expanding access to physical therapy (PT) care by creating a more inclusive workforce, today announced the five recipients of its 2026 Surge Scholarship program. The scholarships provide professional development and up to $10,000 of financial support to physical therapists pursuing postgraduate residency training, reducing the financial barriers associated with advancing their clinical education and expertise.

"One of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen the future of physical therapy is by investing in the people who will shape it," said Dr. Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, founder and CEO of Rizing Tide. "These five scholars represent the talent, dedication, and leadership our profession needs to continue growing. Through the Surge Scholarship, we're helping remove financial barriers to advanced education while connecting these emerging leaders with a community that will support them throughout their careers."

Three recipients were selected for the Rizing Tide Surge Scholarship (awarded up to $10,000), while two were named Surge: Rizing Stars (awarded up to $5,000). The scholarships help offset residency-related expenses, including tuition, living costs, travel, and continuing education. The Rizing Tide Beachcombers, a panel of experienced professionals from the physical therapy and business communities, select recipients based on academic achievement, personal character, potential impact on the profession, and letters of recommendation.

The 2026 Rizing Tide Foundation Surge scholars include:

• Cortez Espinoza, PT, DPT, OCS, a previous scholar attending a second residency, the Academic Residency in Physical Therapy at Rocky Mountain University;
• Palak Patel, PT, DPT, who is attending the University of Utah Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Residency; and
• Cinthia Rosales, PT, DPT, who is attending the University of Utah Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency.

The 2026 Rizing Tide Foundation Surge: Rizing Star scholars include:

• Amara Cunningham, PT, DPT, who is attending the Mount Sinai Hospital Neurologic Residency; and
• Alexis Miller, PT, DPT, who is attending Harris Health's Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency.

The 2026 Surge recipients join a growing community of almost 100 Rizing Tide scholars benefiting from the foundation's investment in the next generation of physical therapists. To date, Rizing Tide has awarded 123 scholarships and pledged $2.8 million to support students and residents pursuing careers in physical therapy.

By supporting physical therapists from underrepresented backgrounds as they pursue advanced clinical training, Rizing Tide is working to build a profession that better reflects the communities it serves. The foundation's investment in these emerging professionals helps strengthen the physical therapy workforce and advance its mission of expanding access to care.

For more information about the Rizing Tide Foundation, including scholarship eligibility, application requirements, and the selection process, visit: www.rizing-tide.com.

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 $2.8 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.

SOURCE Rizing Tide