Enrique, the founder of Endeavor Physical Therapy, has over 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist, specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation and is Certified Hand Therapist. He received his degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University in Denton, and later added an MBA from St. Edwards University.
Enrique has spoken at the state level and national level regarding billing and coding, business management, and complex upper extremity injuries. Prior to becoming a therapist, Enrique served in the U.S. Army Rangers in the 1st Ranger Battalion. Enrique is fluent in Spanish.
Emily is co-owner and a Certified Hand Therapist, having over 20 years of experience with treating the upper extremity. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Texas A&M in 1993, and her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1995. She has been a certified hand therapist since 2004. She serves on the Board of the Texas Society for Hand Therapists. Emily is married with three children. In her free time, she enjoys running (especially trail running), yoga, reading and hanging out with her family.
Christy received her Master of Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Rockhurst University. She became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2009. After her Master's degree, she spent a year in Ecuador volunteering in hospitals and clinics and speaks Spanish. She worked for 10 years in Chicago with upper extremity surgeons and treated the Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks and the White Sox.
Christy has 15 years of experience in wound care, splinting, and treating a variety of repetitive use injuries and pre- and post-operative diagnoses. When she is not treating upper extremity injuries, Christy enjoys running, yoga, Pilates, swimming, rowing, and learning to play the guitar.
Occupational /Certified Hand Therapist
Emily’s passion for hand therapy began early on. After assisting a hand therapist during an undergraduate internship, she was accepted into the top-rated Washington University School of Medicine graduate program, where her passion continued to grow.
Emily has worked in a variety of outpatient clinic settings with a focus in return to work, ergonomics and upper extremity rehabilitation. She has helped manage private clinics and worked closely with many local physicians and board-certified hand surgeons. Emily also worked for a large health system serving as the Hand Therapy Clinical Advancement Program lead. She offers an expansive knowledge of upper extremity rehabilitation, including education, conservative management, post-operative care and splint/orthosis fabrication for a vast list of conditions. The freedom of working in private practice has influenced her caring approach to patient experience, providing patients with flexibility and economy along with personalized and highly skilled care.
Emily has served on the board and presented for local and national hand therapy organizations. Currently, she is a member of ASHT’s education division, an ASHT Board Intern and recently served on ASSH’s Touching Hands Project in Nepal. During her free time Emily enjoys visiting with family and friends, traveling, cooking, exercising and horseback riding in the Texas Hill Country.
Whitney received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from The University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2010. Over the last 9 years, Whitney’s professional goals have remained constant as she has dedicated her practice experience towards comprehensive upper extremity rehabilitation. She completed the requirements to become a Certified Hand Therapist in 2016. Whitney and her family recently relocated to the Austin area and in her free time she enjoys spending time with husband and two young boys.
As a Michigan native, Amy received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University in 2007. After moving to Texas in 2010, she chose to pursue physical therapy while working as a PT and orthopedic technician. Amy attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, TX where she attained her Doctorate of Physical therapy degree in 2018. Throughout her education, she gained experience in various settings including orthopedic, acute care, geriatric, and neuro which has assisted in her treatment of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
Amy and her Fiancé reside in Austin with their two dogs. They are active members of their church, enjoy traveling, hiking, attending concerts, and the numerous Austin eateries.
Barry has over 10 years of experience and works at our South Austin location. He graduated from Texas State University. Prior to his professional career as a PT, Barry was a U.S. Navy Corpsman for five years working with the U.S. Marines. He has a background in Chemistry.
Cristi has evolved into Austin’s “Holistic” Physical Therapist over the last 13 years, and loves the title. Cristi is passionate about healing through conscious exercise and living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Cristi takes pride in providing high quality, one-on-one care. She listens to the patient’s whole story because her mission is to get to the patient’s root cause of their pain.
Cristi specializes in dry needling, a highly sought after manual technique acquired by skilled Physical Therapists. This special treatment uses thin filiform needles (acupuncture needles) to reduce muscle spasms, increase joint mobility, and improved athletic performance. Cristi loves using this technique, as it is an alternative to pain medication.
Cristi has a Bachelor’s of Health and Science Degree from Baylor University and a Master of Physical Therapy Degree from Texas State University. As a licensed Physical Therapist, she has various continuing education certifications in Dry Needling, Exercise Correction, Reformer Pilates, Manual Therapy, YogaFit, Qigong, and Kinesiotaping techniques. She has also been part of the CHEK (Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology) Institute as a Holistic Lifestyle Coach for over 5 years.
Chris has more than 27 years’ experience in outpatient physical therapy. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Her treatment philosophy is one of viewing the body as a whole, integrative system. Functional medicine theories are also a foundation of her care.
Chris’s treatment skill set incorporates manual therapy, advanced myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, therapeutic exercise, Original Strength and osteopathic -techniques including strain/counter strain and cranial sacral therapy. She has certifications in Personal Training, Fascial Stretch Therapy, and kinesiotaping.
Outside of the clinic, Chris’s interests are her animals, shark and ocean conservation, and Miksang-Comtemplative photography.
Diane earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas State University in San Marcos, and has completed post graduate certifications in Manual Therapy and Dry Needling. She has worked in outpatient clinics specializing in the treatment of orthopedic injuries and neurologic disorders, and also has experience within the hospital setting. Before becoming a PT, Diane was an engineer for 14 years having earned a BS in Materials Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Diane is a Coast Guard dependent having grown up along the coast of the USA including Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, and Hawaii. She is married with a son and a dog, George. Diane is a Master (sixth degree black belt) in Mu Sool Won with more than 20 years’ experience.
Manny earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, FL in 2012. He has over 6 years of clinical experience in treating patients with various orthopedic, neurological, and balance problems. He has completed specialized training in vestibular rehabilitation for inner ear dysfunction, Graston Technique, which is a type of soft tissue treatment and is certified in dry needling. In his free time, he enjoys eating, working out, and spending time with family and friends, as well as supporting the Dallas Cowboys.
Jason has more than 18 years of experience in the field of Physical Therapy. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and initially working as a personal trainer, he began his time in physical therapy as a rehab tech working with both orthopedic and neurological patients. This experience lead him to pursue an advanced degree and he ultimately graduated from Texas State University in 2004 with a Master’s degree in physical therapy, attaining his license to practice a short time after. Since graduation, he has worked at several outpatient clinics in Central Texas, as well as spending time in the Washington, D.C. area, specializing in general orthopedics.
In 2007, he earned a certification in mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) through the McKenzie Institute. In 2014 he became a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy after completing the Manual Therapy Institute's fellowship program (FAAOMPT). Most recently, he earned a certification as an orthopedic specialist through the APTA (OCS). While he has experience treating patients with various orthopedic problems throughout the body, he considers treatment of spinal conditions to be his specialty and favorite. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercise, music, cooking, and being outdoors camping, fly fishing, and hiking.
Lisa graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin in 2012. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin in 2018. As a therapist, Lisa has continued to pursue higher education in her fields of interest. Currently, she is working toward completing the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) through Herman & Wallace. She is also a fellow-in-training in orthopedic manual therapy through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. She is certified in dry needling.
When she is not treating patients, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, Garrett, and their beloved boa constrictor, Winifred. In addition to physical therapy, she also has a passion for traveling, barre, naps, and cookies.
Nicole “Nick” graduated from the University of North Texas in 2010 with a BA in History. Following this, Nicole attained Running Coaching and Personal Training Certifications from the RRCA, NASM, and NCCPT. She moved to Austin in 2011 and worked as a Personal Trainer until returning to school for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Nicole is currently working on her specialty in Orthopedics and Fellowship training in Manual Therapy.
Nicole enjoys treating all variety of patients including pre and post-surgical conditions, overuse and sports injuries. As a former personal trainer and running coach, she particularly enjoys helping her patients transition back in to the gym and/or their sports and recreational activities. In her free time Nicole enjoys weightlifting, running, fire dancing, and martial arts, as well as painting and drawing.
Stephanie has over 17 years of experience as an Orthopedic Physical Therapist in the Austin Area. She obtained her Master’s Degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1999, and a BS in Biology from the College of Charleston, SC. She is also a Navy/Desert Storm Veteran who worked in the aviation community.
She takes a “hands on approach” incorporating a variety of Manual Therapy techniques such as trigger point releases, joint mobilization, kinesiology taping, and functional individualized exercises. She is currently working on her Manual Therapy Certification but is also certificed in Dry Needling and Functional Core Strengthening. “The satisfaction of resolving pain and restoring function, without my patients undergoing surgery, is the greatest reward.”
Stephanie is married with 3 children and 3 dogs. In her free time, she enjoys fitness classes, traveling, reading, hiking and anything else outside – “work hard – play hard!”
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Stephan spent the first chapter of his post-college life working in the fields of portfolio management and investment banking. Eventually, his professional interests and career path changed, and Stephan began to pursue a second career in the field of physical therapy. Stephan enjoys working closely with patients with orthopedic problems in the outpatient setting. His professional interests include all dysfunctions related to the shoulder, hip, knees, neck, and back, with special interest in rehabbing high school athletes back to competitive sport. Stephan's skill set includes various manual treatment techniques and certification in therapeutic dry needling.
Personally, Stephan's likes include a well home-made peanut butter chocolate chip cookie, and his dislikes include people who complain about how cold it is whenever the temperature falls below 50 F (remember, he is from Chicago). Stephan moved to Austin in 2016 because, well, smoked brisket. Stephan graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University.
Kailey earned her associates in Applied Science for Physical Therapist Assistant from Austin Community College in 2020. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Angelo State University in 2016. She has 5 years of experience in the Physical Therapy field working as a technician and office coordinator. Her skill set includes a variety of manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, and neuromuscular re-education. Kailey is also certified in dry needling.
As a former athlete, Kailey played a variety of sports including rugby and basketball. She enjoys working and treating patients with different orthopedic conditions and sports injuries. In her free time, Kailey enjoys spending time with her husband Dustin, traveling, working out, watching sports, taking care of her horse Freckles and dog Bandit, and spending time with her family and friends.
Light earned his associates in Applied Science for Physical Therapist Assistant from Austin Community College in 2019. Prior to that, he has spent 13 years in the field of Physical Therapy as a technician training under multiple Physical Therapists. His skill set includes manual therapy techniques such as trigger point release, neuromuscular therapy, therapeutic exercise, and dry needling.
He was a competitive gymnast for 18 years and was an All-American collegiate gymnast for the Longhorns at the University of Texas at Austin. Alongside being a physical therapy technician he coached both women’s and men’s gymnastics for 10 years before entering school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. In his free time he enjoys working out, golf, going on trails and swimming with his Golden Retriever Enzo, and spending time with friends and family.
Bayley is a Texas native who received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University in Waco. She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy in 2019 from the University of St. Augustine in Austin. She is passionate about using occupational therapy to help patients, which she has been doing since 2010. Bayley is currently working toward her Certified Hand Therapist Certification. Her special interests include orthosis fabrication and post-operative management.
When she is not working as an occupational therapist, Bayley enjoys yoga, reading, playing the ukulele, cooking, and enjoying Austin's nature trails with her husband and their dog.
George is the Endeavor Four Points Therapy Dog for over 1.5 years. He is a 12 pound Shih Tzu rescue dog that is typically found napping in his bed. He is quiet and non-intrusive however he loves patients (and their families) and is always happy to be pet and picked-up whenever love is required!
Thomas graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2017. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin in 2020. Thomas loves it when his patients discover how helpful physical therapy is. He loves encouraging patients to be as active as possible through easy-to-do exercises.
Since moving to Texas, Thomas has fallen in love with the Lone-Star State and has discovered how practical the word "y'all" can be. Thomas loves basketball, soccer, and golf, and in his free time, he enjoys playing sports, working out, and is very active in his local church.
Zack is originally from Chicago and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa. He earned his Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin in 2020. His background is in health and wellness coaching, and he currently holds an active personal training certification from the American Council on Exercise. Zack is working towards earning his Certified Hand Therapist Certification. He has a passion for working with the upper extremity and using holistic strategies to empower his patients.
Zack is an avid snowboarder and tries to travel to the Rocky Mountains every year. He spends his off days exploring the music scene of Austin or hiking the beautiful trails around town.
Justin completed his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland in 2015. He then went on to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Shenandoah University in Leesburg, VA in 2019. Justin recently completed his advanced Dry Needling Certification to become a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist in Dry Needling (CMTPT/DN). His special interest and areas of treatment include the shoulder, lumbar spine, and chronic pain management.
Justin is originally from Baltimore and considers himself a diehard Orioles and Ravens fan. When he’s not working, Justin enjoys working out, listening to music, cooking, and spending time with his girlfriend and dog.
Hannah graduated from D’Youville College with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014. She is certified in Dry Needling (Cert. DN) and Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT), and has a Diploma in Osteopractic (Dip. Osteopractic) and a Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (FAAOMPT). Hannah enjoys using a variety of treatments, including dry needling, manipulation/mobilization, and tool-assisted manual therapy. She often combines these techniques with exercise. She is skilled in treating all regions of the body and has a particular passion for treating neck pain, mid/low back pain, headaches, as well as shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries.
In her spare time, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and cooking.
Vanisha grew up in Farmington, Michigan, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2020 before moving to Austin. She enjoys working with patients with various orthopedic, vestibular/neurological, and chronic conditions. Vanisha is very passionate about integrating mind-body health and empathetic listening into her daily practice. She is trained in upper and lower body Myokinesthetics, which helps patients with pain and mobility deficits by targeting the specific nerve roots associated with their symptoms.
Vanisha’s hobbies include traveling, cooking, playing the violin, learning guitar, and spending time with her family and friends. She is also a part of the core team of the International Rehab Forum young leaders, which helps build sustainable medical rehabilitation education and programs around the world.
Amy earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas State University in 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016. She is furthering her knowledge through courses with the Postural Restoration Institute, the Integrative Dry Needling Institute, and more. Amy enjoys solving problems and learning more about how incredible the human body is. She firmly believes in the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and strives to practice physical therapy in a way that is holistic and honors the individual nature of each person.
Amy’s favorite ways to move are climbing, cycling, walking, volleyball, and swimming. She loves being outdoors and is particularly fond of fresh air paired with big blue skies.
Sydney graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion in 2017. She then earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine in Austin in 2020. Sydney has a true passion for helping her patients and assisting them to live their healthiest and most active lifestyle, pain-free. Whenever possible, she employs a holistic and functional treatment approach. Sydney is very excited to join the Endeavor Physical Therapy family and serve the community in South Austin.
When not treating patients, you can find Sydney exploring Austin and finding the best taco spots. She loves to stay active, run Lady Bird Lake with her dog, and travel whenever possible.
Amy Marie Lucero was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, where she attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Biology. While working towards this degree, Amy worked in a biomechanics research lab and was a part of a study aimed at decreasing fall risks in individuals 65 and older. Following this, she attended Texas State University, where she began her journey to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. During her time in the program, Amy had the opportunity to work with orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, and geriatric patients. Amy actively tries to find ways to grow as a clinician and hopes to one day specialize in Orthopedics and/or Neurology.
On days that she is not working, Amy likes to spend her time paddle boarding, hiking, exploring Austin, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Leeda received her doctorate in physical therapy in 2014 from Texas State University. She completed her fellowship in orthopedics and manual therapy in 2017. Leeda is also on faculty within the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Texas State University, teaching the orthopedic sequence as well as consulting in the student-run research clinic.
In her free-time, Leeda enjoys playing guitar, traveling, playing golf, and spending time with her family.
