Over the past several months, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have encountered an undeniable plummet across multiple industries, including healthcare. With federal funding cuts and policy rollbacks taking hold, many organizations — including some here in Arizona — are pulling back from these initiatives, leaving a noticeable void in efforts to improve accessibility and healthcare equity.
For those of us in physical therapy, this shift is alarming. The Valley is already battling an increasingly severe provider shortage, growing patient wait times, declining applications to doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs and the challenges of expanding patient access to care. But here’s the real question we should ask ourselves: Do we fully understand why rehab therapists committed to DEI efforts so wholeheartedly?
The PT Industry’s Persistent Diversity Challenge
The physical therapy profession has long positioned DEI as a means to address disparities in both workforce representation and patient access to care. Representation isn’t just about appearances — it has tangible benefits for patients. When patients receive treatment from providers who share their cultural background or who understand their socioeconomic experiences, outcomes improve. Research demonstrates that diverse healthcare teams enhance patient satisfaction and overall quality of care.
The PT profession continues to struggle with diversity. The most recent data emphasizes this point: As of 2024, the PT workforce is overwhelmingly white (81%), while Asian professionals make up 11% of the workforce. Black (3.7%) and Hispanic/Latino (4.6%) physical therapists remain significantly underrepresented compared to their presence in the broader U.S. population.
The Compounding Effect of the Growing PT Shortage
On top of diversity concerns, the PT industry faces another crisis: an increasing shortage of providers. As demand for physical therapy surges due to an aging population, rising levels of chronic conditions and increased interest in holistic healthcare, our profession isn’t expanding at a pace that keeps up. Take regional clinics, hospitals and rehab facilities: Like so many others around the country, they are struggling to hire and retain qualified PTs, diminishing the quality of care patients receive.
Longer wait times, overworked therapists and reduced access to care are becoming more common. Without a robust and diverse talent pipeline, this shortage will only worsen.
Arizona’s Unique PT Workforce Challenge
The shortage is particularly concerning here in Arizona. With a population of 7.582 million residents as of 2024, there are only 4,490 licensed physical therapists who serve the entire state. That equates to just one PT for every 1,689 residents — far below what we need to ensure timely, high-quality care.
Rural and underserved communities in Arizona are especially affected. Patients in these areas often face extended wait times or must travel long distances to receive care. Addressing this workforce gap will require more than standard marketing to increase PT program enrollment — it will require targeted efforts to attract students from diverse backgrounds. This doesn’t mean lowering the standards of entry, but it does mean making sure cultural competency is part of the curriculum.
The Malleable Future of DEI in Physical Therapy
DEI efforts in physical therapy are practical, results-driven solutions to industry-wide challenges. Investing in mentorship programs, scholarships and outreach efforts accomplishes much more than checking a box. These efforts bring in talented, qualified individuals who may not have previously considered this career path.
I founded Rizing Tide in 2019 to address these very issues head-on. As a physical therapist, clinic director and technology leader in this industry for close to 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand the barriers that face aspiring PTs from underrepresented backgrounds. Through Rizing Tide, we provide scholarships, mentorship opportunities and a strong supportive community to ensure that talented individuals — regardless of background — can access the resources they need to succeed. We’re working to build a future where physical therapy is more accessible and representative of the patients we serve. Because in the end, a stronger, more inclusive PT workforce benefits us all, in Arizona and beyond.
Dr. Heidi Jannenga
, PT, DPT, is the co-founder and chief clinical officer of WebPT, the leading software platform for physical, occupational and speech therapists driving delivering cutting-edge solutions and an unwavering passion for optimizing the practice and provider experience. Dr. Jannenga is also the founder and CEO of Rizing Tide, a foundation that champions the improvement of diversity in the healthcare workforce through a scholarship program aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds completing their doctorate or residency in physical therapy.
