Meet Our Team

Chris is the owner and CEO of Hope Physical Therapy and Aquatics. She received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 1994 from Barry University in Miami, Florida. Her passionate commitment to first rate one-on-one customized treatment led her to purchase Hope Physical Therapy after having worked in the clinic for 8 years and investing in the community. She has hand-picked her staff that love helping people with a team approach of coordinated care. Chris' clinical philosophy includes educating and treating patients with an evidence based individualized program consisting of manual therapy and an innovative dosing of exercises to ensure their specific needs and goals are met.

Chris is committed to Hope Physical Therapy’s growth and prosperity and continued service to the community. Her vision and passion for the profession and the clinic gave rise to its growth and continued expansion. She is devoted to private practice and improving direct access to physical therapy in Texas. Her staff and patient’s overall health and well-being are her priority. She strives to maintain personal and professional growth and support her community by giving back with volunteering and supporting charitable and philanthropic organizations.

Chris lives in League City with her husband Doug and yellow Labrador Retrievers, Ana and Remi. She is a native of Nebraska, but after more than 25 years in the Houston area she calls Texas home. She enjoys walking, biking, hiking, travel, interior design and values spending time with friends and family. She has completed the Houston, Austin and Marine Corps Marathons. Her principal role at Hope is to demonstrate responsible leadership and help others be their personal best.

Sara graduated from San Jacinto College's Physical Therapist Assistant Program with an Associates of Applied Science in 2001. Sara began her career in Physical Therapy working in the inpatient Neurology and Intermediate Intensive Care units in 2 area hospitals. Sara crossed over into Outpatient Orthopedics and Sports Medicine with Christus St John Hospital before her transition to 3 local Skilled Nursing Facilities specializing in Stroke Rehabilitation and Medically Complex Geriatric care. Sara joined the Hope Physical Therapy and Aquatics team in February 2015 and has found her forever home! Sara has lived in League City since 1997. She is married and has 2 children. She enjoys cooking, hunting, working out, and volunteering with The Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader. She loves meeting new people and getting out into the community to help people improve their quality of life.

Abby was born in Washington DC and went to High School in Germany. She has her bachelor's degree in Logistics and moved to the area 2 years ago with her daughter and Coast Guard husband. In her free time she likes to play tennis and hang out with her family.

Aleiss graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the University of in 2020. Aleiss has a 1 son and a dog named Jada, when she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her family and taking fun adventures with her little one. In the future Aleiss plan’s on getting her master’s in healthcare administration, her motto is “you can never have to many tools in your toolbox, because you never know when you’ll need to use them”. Aleiss is very passionate about what she does and is excited to be a part of a great team!

Ashton is an Army veteran. He served on active duty for 4 years, operating Patriot Air Defense Missile Systems. He spent another 3 years serving in the reserves with an engineering company. Ashton was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to the League City area in 2021. When he is not at work, Ashton enjoys spending time with his two dogs Charlie and Abby. He also enjoys traveling, camping, fishing and anything that involves being outdoors.

Alexis was born and raised in League City, Texas. She has grown up around the Physical Therapy profession and even completed PT at HOPE for a sports injury. She attends Clear Falls High School, and is exploring criminology and forensics. In her free time, Alexis loves hunting, fishing, traveling, going to the beach, hiking in the mountains, hanging out with her friends, and working with animals, big and small. The future is bright and full of possibilities.

Dr. Jimmy graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of St. Augustine Austin campus in 2022. Prior to that, he completed a Master's degree in Athletic Training from the University of Houston in 2019. He began his educational journey with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. His patient care philosophy centers around an integrative approach that combines hands-on manual therapy with tailored exercise programs. This approach is designed not only to address specific injuries but also to promote overall well-being. His holistic approach aims to provide long lasting symptom relief and enhance their overall quality of life.

Growing up in Pearland, Dr. Pham's upbringing was influenced by his martial arts background, instilling in him a deep appreciation for physical activity and discipline. Dr. Pham is a fervent sports enthusiast who understands the significance of physical activity and its impact on both physical and mental health. He brings this enthusiasm into his patient interactions, encouraging them to embrace an active lifestyle tailored to their abilities and goals. Dr. Pham's personal life is characterized by his strong family bonds. He is a devoted husband to Tina and a loving father to their daughter, Jacklyn. Their family is completed by their furry companion, Ellie the dog.

Dr. Malinda Henkes graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston in 2023 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Prior to this, she received her Bachelor of Science with a focus on Exercise and Sport Science at Texas State University in 2020. Throughout her time at UTMB, she gained experience treating patients in both orthopedics and oncology. Dr. Malinda’s mission as a physical therapist is to intertwine holistic care with evidence-based practice to help patients reach their goals and full potential. A priority for Dr. Malinda when it comes to the care she provides is to help patients learn more about their body through movement, personalize treatments that align with their goals and needs, all while seeing the value and positive impact movement can have in their own lives. Dr. Malinda enjoys spending time outdoors whether it’s going on a run with her dog, Astro, or spending time with her husband. She also loves being by the water whether at the lake or the beach, hiking, spending time with friends, and going to coffee shops.

Dr. Alicia Dittrich (Dr. Deetch) graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Texas Woman's University in Houston in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas where she was a collegiate volleyball player. She has experience in treating a variety of orthopedic and neurologic disorders in many different outpatient settings including aquatics. Dr. Deetch also has a dual career as a high school science teacher in CCISD and currently works at the school she graduated from. Her treatment philosophy focuses on education, independence, and prevention. Being a part of a strong, supportive community is extremely important to her and it's her passion to educate on prevention and wellness. Dr. Deetch's hobbies include indoor cycling, outdoor biking, paddle boarding, playing beach volleyball, boating, camping, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family. She has participated in many sports throughout her life including college volleyball, basketball, baseball, and track. She has completed the MS150 bike ride every year since 2019 and plans to continue participating in this fundraising event.

Richard is a Physical Therapist Assistant who graduated from San Jacinto South’s PTA program in May of 2018. Prior to becoming a licensed PTA, he graduated from The University of Texas at Brownsville, TX in 2012 earning a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. Although he will always call Brownsville his true home, he moved to the greater Houston area for a change of environment and loves his decision as it has led him to HOPE Physical Therapy and Aquatics. Richard plans to expand his skill set through continuing education in specialized fields, taking on leadership roles, and continuing what makes him happy, practicing physical therapy. Richard enjoys traveling with his beautiful wife; Patty, rocking out on his electric guitars, and hanging out with his loving pets. Richard is a fan of the great outdoors, enjoys kayaking, hiking, and running through scenic trails. You can catch him cheering for the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Cowboys, and of course the Houston Astros.

Brendan graduated from San Jacinto College's Physical Therapist Assistant program in May 2019. Prior to becoming a PTA, Brendan graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Kinesiology. Brendan wants to further his education in physical therapy in the years to come by earning a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. In his free time, Brendan enjoys spending time with his wife Kelsey and dog Lilly. They enjoy going for walks, playing sports, and watching movies. Brendan also enjoys watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams, the New York Giants, the San Antonio Spurs, and USMNT.

Nathaniel is a fun, energetic, and passionate Physical Therapist Assistant who inspires hope and optimism for his patients on their road to recovery. Nathaniel's passion for sports conditioning, biomechanics, and weightlifting allows him to provide personalized therapeutic interventions to allow his patients to overcome their physical debilities and achieve their goals.

Nathaniel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Exercise Physiology at Texas A&M University in 2018 and a Physical Therapist Assistant degree in San Jacinto College in 2022. Nathaniel plans to further his education and pursue his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in the near future.

In his free time, Nathaniel is an avid weightlifter who enjoys reading books, traveling, hiking, and exploring various cuisines. Nathaniel enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Nathaniel is also a die-hard Houston and Aggie sports fan (GIG 'EM!)

Katlyn graduated Salutatorian in 2017 from San Jacinto College's Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Prior to this, she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Kinesiology from Texas Lutheran University where she was a collegiate soccer player. In her time as a licensed PTA, Katlyn has achieved certifications in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Kinesiotaping, and Dry Needling. Her passion is treating patients in the outpatient setting for the vast variety of diagnoses and ages she gets to care for. In her free time she enjoys letting her creativity shine with crafting, as well as spending time with her husband, son, and two dogs outdoors.

Yanmilene attends University of Houston-Clear Lake where she is majoring in Fitness and Human performance with a specialization in pre-physical therapy. When she graduates she will apply to Doctor of physical therapy programs in Texas to continue her journey.

Apart from PT, she is a Student Coordinator at UHCLs Campus Recreation and Wellness center. There, she focuses on student development, their needs, and foresees the facility operations.

Yanmilene spends quality time with her sister and her dog. She loves listening to music, going to new places, and trying new things!

Garret is attending San Jacinto College, where he plans on applying to the Physical Therapist Assistant Program next year. He moved to Texas from Oklahoma in 2020 and lives right here in League City. During his down time he enjoys playing golf, working out, spending quality time with his girlfriend, and occasionally reading a good book.

Aizah graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Houston in spring 2022. She plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree and will be applying the next cycle. She is also planning on getting a Zumba certification so she can start doing group exercise classes. When she is not taking a nap with her cat Tiger, Aizah loves to go out with her friends, dance, and travel.

Mia is currently enrolled at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, pursuing a degree in Biological Science with a specialization in Physiology/Pre-Health. Possessing a strong interest in the medical field, she aspires to become a healthcare professional upon graduation. Originally from the East Coast, Mia enjoys spending her free time by the water, engaging in activities such as reading, fishing, and having water days with her dogs.