In this episode of the Healthy Wealthy & Smart Podcast, Dr. Karen Litzy, PT, DPT welcomes Dr. Cortez Espinoza and Dr. Devin Morris. They explore the journey from their Rizing Tide scholarships and advanced training to navigating the financial realities of the PT profession. The discussion covers community building, mentorship, and strategic thinking, providing a comprehensive look at how physical therapists can shape a more equitable and impactful future.

Key Topics:

• How Rising Tide Scholarship creates community and leadership opportunities for underrepresented clinicians
• Differences between residency and fellowship – and why both are foundational for advanced clinical decision-making
• The financial landscape of PT education, including student debt, business challenges, and alternative income streams
• The significance of mentorship, advocacy, and policy involvement for career growth and systemic change
• Opportunities in direct access care, policy advocacy, media, and community engagement for young clinicians
• Practical strategies for aligning career choices with personal values, purpose, and long-term goals
• The role of holistic treatment approaches, lifestyle medicine, and lifestyle factors in patient care and clinician wellness

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and background of guests from Rising Tide 02:05 - How Rising Tide shaped clinical and leadership development 04:07 - The community and ongoing support beyond scholarships 09:00 - Clarifying the differences between PT residency and fellowship 10:44 - Financial realities of PT education and career paths 13:05 - Residency and fellowship decision-making strategies 18:35 - Opportunities for impact and leadership in early career stages 25:00 - Addressing the financial burden on PT students and clinicians 30:30 - Insights on balancing financial stress, private practice, and side income 43:19 - Emerging opportunities in direct access and policy advocacy 55:42 - Resources for early career PTs and the importance of defining success 56:49 - Personal advice on purpose, staying true to values, and career resilience 58:00 - How to connect with Cortez and Devin and get involved with Rising Tide

Resources & Links:

• Rising Tide Foundation – community, scholarships, mentorship, advocacy
• The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
• Andrew Huberman Labs Podcast

Connect with the Guests:

• Dr. Cortez Espinoza - LinkedIn
• Dr. Devin Morris - LinkedIn

More About Dr. Morris:

Devon is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist focused on working with high school and elite athletes in Atlanta, GA.

After earning her DPT while playing soccer at Ithaca College, she completed her orthopedic residency at Emory University, where she trained at the Atlanta Hawks Sports Medicine Complex.

During her residency, she contributed to research on post-ACLR jumping and landing mechanics and began her case study research on DVT detection in diverse populations. She went on to present that work at CSM and publish it in JOSPT Cases.

Alongside her clinical work, Devon serves as an Adjunct Instructor for the South College and Tufts DPT programs and teaches continuing education courses for Team Rehabilitation.

What sets Devon apart is her commitment to making research feel accessible. She translates complex orthopedic and sports PT concepts into clear, practical insights that clinicians can use right away. She is also building a community and tools for early-career therapists who are looking for guidance, support, and a sense of belonging in the field.

More About Dr. Espinoza:

Dr. Cortez Espinoza is an orthopedic physical therapist, educator, and coach focused on bridging the gap between clinical expertise and human empowerment. With advanced training in spine orthopedic care, he is passionate about leading clinicians to go beyond a purely biomechanical model to one that incorporates behavior change, education, and long-term impact. His work is driven by a mission to improve patient outcomes and the future of healthcare education.

Jane Sponsorship Information:

Book a one-on-one demo here

Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month

Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media:

Karen's Instagram

Karen's LinkedIn

Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart:

YouTube

Website

Apple Podcast

Spotify

SoundCloud

Stitcher

iHeart Radio