Staff

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.

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.