APTA Blog Post

By: Abigail Palmiter and Ashley Newell

Imagine if… as a PT Student, I Didn’t Have to Wonder: Do I Belong Here?

Imagine if physical therapy embodied the full diversity of our communities, where every patient felt seen, every provider felt connected, and every voice belonged. Imagine if clinics were not just a place of treatment but a place of trust, where understanding flows naturally and care carries deeper meaning. Imagine if equity and inclusion were not aspirations but realities. The impact is profound: stronger relationships, better outcomes, and a profession that heals not only the body, but also the barriers that once stood in the way.

That is what equitable healthcare looks like. And it is possible. 

But today, that vision remains out of reach for too many. The data is clear: according to the APTA’s 2023 demographics report, only 5.1% of licensed physical therapists identify as Black or African American and just 6.4% as Hispanic or Latino, compared to 13.6% and 19.1% of the U.S. population. Indigenous clinicians make up less than half a percent of the profession. These gaps aren’t abstract, they show up in real time when patients walk into clinics and don’t see anyone who looks like them, when language or cultural misunderstandings derail treatment plans, or when mistrust of the healthcare system keeps people from seeking care at all.

While the numbers are important, we believe true representation goes far beyond statistics. It’s about the questions we ask, the frameworks we bring into the room, and the trust we build. For many of us, this work is deeply personal. We know what it feels like to never see someone like us in healthcare. 

That gap is exactly where the imPacT FUND begins.

The imPacT FUND’s approach is simple and student-centered. Our work is centered on three things at once, scholarships that reduce financial obstacles, mentorship that builds professional identity and persistence, and community-rooted experiences that prepare students to meet patients where they are. We prioritize community partnerships designed to grow over time, so each new imPacT FUND scholar has a place to build from. That kind of continuity matters for trust: community partners see consistent faces and programs, and students inherit systems that actually work.

This year felt like proof of concept. Between the current scholars, we have turned classroom visits into ongoing relationships with local schools, turned conversations into a formal student group led by imPacT FUND scholars, PTs for IDEAs (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Accountability), and pushed for simulated training that centers identity-informed communication. In pro-bono clinics, we've seen how immigration status, language barriers, and cultural narratives shape care. Those moments teach us that clinical competence isn’t just a technical skill. It’s cultural humility, curiosity, and the ability to listen without assumptions. 

Imagine if community projects aren’t just add-ons, but central to our education. We’ve created scenarios where students practice introducing themselves with pronouns, navigating religious accommodations, responding to suicidal ideation, and discussing culturally shaped pain narratives. Practicing these skills in training lowers the risk of harm in clinics and improves patient outcomes. These practices should be implemented as core competencies. Standard across all physical therapy education so that every new clinician enters the field ready to provide care that is not only evidence-based, but also truly human-centered.

We are students, and that perspective matters: we are actively learning, making mistakes, and adjusting in ways that administrators and curricula sometimes miss. That makes our leadership nimble and rooted in the present work of communities, and that is where the imPacT FUND steps in, as a bridge between communities and classrooms, students and clinical careers. With each partnership, it grows stronger. The truth is, tuition is a barrier. As a current student, navigating predominantly white academic spaces without mentorship is a barrier. Believing you belong in a profession that doesn’t often reflect your identity is a barrier. 

If you care about who becomes a clinician and how care is delivered, join us. Imagine if this work expanded into more scholarships, more mentorships, and more community partnerships. Imagine if other physical therapy programs adopted this model. You can invest in scholarships and sustainable student leadership. And you can help by listening, amplifying, and advocating, because together we create a profession where equity is not the goal, but the standard. 

So we ask you: join us. Share your time, your knowledge, your resources. Advocate with us. Partner with us. Invest in the future with us.

Because Imagine if… the future of physical therapy truly looked like the people it serves. With your help, it will.