Dr. Laleh Askari, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Dr. Askari graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 2005 and went on to receive her doctorate degree from the same university in 2008. She has practiced and managed rehabilitation in numerous settings including hospitals, nursing homes, pediatric outpatient clinics, and private practice. Dr. Askari has also been a clinical instructor for several physical therapy programs since 2007.
Treatment Philosophy
Dr. Askari uses the latest technology and evidence-based treatments that are individualized based on patients’ symptoms and evaluation findings. Her treatment philosophy focuses on constant communication with her patients and referring physicians.
The patient’s goals, preferred activity level, and prior experiences shape the treatment plan and help to achieve the quickest recovery. Patient education and adherence to a home exercise program are necessary to receive the full benefit of the treatment. Close communication with the referring physician also ensures a comprehensive and effective treatment plan.
Ikenna Duru, PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Ikenna graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2016. In 2020, he earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. During this education, he has gained experience working with wide spectrum including athletes, adolescent, adults, and geriatric patients.
Ikenna always takes the time to speak with each patients and make sure that they feel comfortable and confident in their treatment plan. He also understands that a strong rapport with patients is nearly as important as interventions. In his free time, Ikenna enjoys playing basketball, watching sports, listening to music and also loves exploring the great city of Austin.
Pegah Shams, PT
Physical Therapist
Pegah graduated from Iran University of Medical Science and Health Services in 2009. She became a Certified Pelvic Floor Specialist with Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehab institute in 2017. Pegah has worked in a wide range of settings, including acute care, post-surgery, outpatient orthopedic facilities, and aquatic rehab. Pegah has treated a wide range of patient populations, including young aspiring athletes to geriatric patients, tailoring the therapy to their personal needs.
Pegah emphasizes patient education to promote the understanding of structural abnormalities, therapeutic exercises, and activity modification to manage and prevent symptoms. She also values the integration of skilled manual therapy to directly address pain, enabling patients to achieve their personal goals faster.
Mahima Pandya, PT
Physical Therapist
Mahima completed her Physical Therapy education in India and graduated in 2020. To explore her interest in research and know the biomechanics side of body, Mahima graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with Masters in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology in 2022. While pursuing her master’s degree, she cleared her board’s exam to practice as a licensed Physical Therapist in United States.
Mahima has worked with all the age groups including 2 months year old infant to geriatric population and with different type of orthopedic, neurological, cardio-pulmonary, and sports related pathologies during her internships at various clinical settings. Mahima believes in treating the cause at the root and not just the symptom with a well framed personalized exercise protocol which not only included exercises but also manual therapy and different modalities and tools.
In her free time, Mahima likes to spend her time with friends and family, hiking, volunteering for research labs, watching documentaries, and enhancing her physical therapy skills.
Pratibha Lala, PT
Physical Therapist
Pratibha is a highly proficient and compassionate physical therapist who practices with a patient-driven treatment approach using evidence-based methods and various neuro-rehabilitation techniques. She majored in Neurology and obtained her Master's degree in Physiotherapy from Devi Ahilya University in Indore, India, and completed her Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bangalore, India.
With extensive experience in physical therapy, Pratibha takes great joy in her work and empathizes with the overall care of her patients. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing badminton, and listening to music. Pratibha is multilingual and can easily communicate with patients in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and Punjabi.
Dan Spence, PTA, LMT
Physical Therapy Assistant
Returning to school in 2010 Dan graduated from ACC's PTA program in 2014. Dan spent the first year after graduation in the Hospital and Rehab setting. Then Dan spent a year in geriatric care in a memory care facility. Dan started at APTS in May of 2016. Dan’s intentions were to eventually get to the outpatient setting where he could more readily apply his massage therapy skills for which he got his license in 1992.
After being the office manager at the Turtle Dragon for 13 years, a Chinese Medicine clinic, Dan decided to return to school to find a profession that would further his interest in the human body that would also allow the application of his interest in the practice of massage therapy. When not working Dan uses his skills gained from his first degree, Music, in the various Symphonic Choruses Austin has to offer and with his musical friends in the studio. Dan and his wife Jean have lived in South Austin for 16 years and have 2 special Cornish Rex cats.
Roxanne Ramirez, PTA, FMT
Physical Therapy Assistant
Roxanne Ramirez is an Austinite who graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston, main campus in December of 2011 with a major in Kinesiology and minor in Health. After graduation, Roxanne worked as a physical therapy technician for some years in both hospital and outpatient settings. In 2017 Roxanne received her Associates in Physical Therapy from South University in Round Rock, TX. During her studies, Roxanne completed an FMT course, where she received certification for Functional Movement Taping through Rock Tape.
Roxanne believes in personalizing every patient's plan of care to best fit their goal(s) using evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning. Ms. Ramirez believes in not only treating the dysfunction of the patient but the patient as a whole with hands and ears that are willing to help.
Pedro Ramirez, PTA
Physical Therapy Assistant
Pedro is a driven Physical Therapy Assistant who obtained his Associate of Science from Wharton County Junior College in Texas in 2022. Throughout his academic journey, Pedro has honed his skills working in both inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. His unwavering passion for delivering exceptional patient care is evident in his approach to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness objectives.
Outside of his profession, Pedro enjoys hiking, attending concerts, watching sports, and exploring the vibrant city of Austin.
