Our Team

Aaron is a physical therapist with certification and licensure in athletic training with a clinical emphasis in sport orthopedics and rehabilitation. He has served collegiate athletes at Arizona State University as the rehab coordinator, in addition to recreational athletes and general populations in outpatient clinical settings. For fun, he provides PRN game coverage for local/rural high school sporting events and TTU recreational athletics. He is also experienced in dry needling and myofascial decompression(cupping).

Aaron is a clinical instructor for students of various PT/PTA programs. In academics, as an Assistant Professor of Practice, he teaches in the Kinesiology and Sport Management Department at Texas Tech University. Aaron earned a B.A. in Kinesiology with an Athletic Training emphasis from St. Edward’s University, a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and completed a Doctor of Science degree from the TTUHSC. Aaron earned the Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) designation via the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM-US) and is currently pursuing a manual therapy and orthopedic Fellowship via the Institute for Athlete Regeneration (IAR). He is also Bilingual (Spanish).

In his off-time, he is blessed to spend time with his twinkies, wife, and their “experienced” pup. He is also an avid snowboarder and soccer player. Aaron believes patients heal and recover best when their healthcare team takes the time to listen, thoughtfully create a plan of care based on their needs and goals, and effectively engages patients to be actively involved in their rehab process.

Jill received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Sport Psychology from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She came to Lubbock from the Rio Grande Valley in 2014 to attend Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. While working towards the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), she and her husband fell in love with West Texas, deciding to call Lubbock “home.” She graduated in May of 2017 and has enjoyed every minute of settling down in the South Plains.

While completing her doctoral degree and immediately following graduation, Jill assisted in teaching first-year students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Master of Athletic Training (MAT) programs in Gross Anatomy and Functional Anatomy. Currently, she is assisting in teaching second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students in the Musculoskeletal Physical Therapist Practice course at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Jill is trained in Trigger Point Dry Needling and her special interests in the field are orthopedics and manual therapy.

Jill married her husband, Patrick, in their hometown of McAllen, Texas, in 2013 and welcomed a baby boy in 2019. They have a Golden Retriever named Red that loves chasing lizards and protecting the backyard from birds and cats. In her spare time, Jill loves entertaining and cooking, talking football and other sports, exploring new places and living an active lifestyle.

Autumn Drinnon graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy degree with outstanding distinction from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in 2008. She received the OU Award for Clinical Excellence in Physical Therapy, and was inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society. .
Prior to relocating to Texas, Autumn was clinical faculty at the University of Oklahoma and an Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy, teaching in the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. She has a special interest in sports and orthopedic physical therapy, manual therapy, and pelvic health.

Autumn completed evidenced-based trained through the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute that aids her in effectively treating male and female pelvic floor dysfunction to include, but not limited to, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, coccydynia, constipation, post prostatectomy complications, post hysterectomy/female cancer related complications, and pregnancy and postpartum related conditions. Autumn is also trained in dry needling, a technique that aids in eliminating active trigger points and their referral patterns, which helps to restore optimal movement patterns and reduce pain.

Autumn is an Oklahoma native, growing up in Clinton, Oklahoma. She resided in Tulsa, OK before moving to Lubbock, TX in December 2012. Autumn is an avid sports fan, enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family and friends, exercising, and the great outdoors. Autumn has a son and a daughter, Cruson Reid and Collins Elaine.

Burt was born and raised in Southern California, but got to Texas as fast as he could! He is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems. After working as a systems engineer/database administrator for several years at Texaco, he returned to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in order to pursue his Master of Physical Therapy. Burt has practiced clinical orthopedic physical therapy since 2007. He quickly realized that post-professional education is tantamount to providing superior treatment and excellent patient care. Burt has completed post-professional training in manual spinal rehabilitation with the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine. He has completed residency with The Manual Therapy Institute in Austin, TX and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Burt is also Titleist Performance Institute certified. TPI emphasizes the Body-Swing ConnectionTM utilized by many tour professionals. So if you are looking to improve your golf game, come by for a screen and see if you body is limiting you from lowering your score!

Burt is married to Courtney and for the past 26 years, they have enjoyed traveling, cooking, and raising three children, Chloe, Ava, and Braeden. Burt enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, exercise, cycling, and staying fit. Anytime he has the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day under the blue bird skies of West Texas, you most definitely will find Burt outdoors!

Gary is a 2002 graduate from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) where he earned his Masters in Physical Therapy. He began his manual therapy training with the North American Institute for Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) in 2005, becoming a Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (COMT) in 2010. Graduating from the NAIOMT Fellowship Program, he was recognized as a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT) in 2010. Most recently he became a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS) in 2016. Gary specializes in Dry Needling for neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions.

He graduated with his Doctor of Science (ScD) in Physical Therapy through TTUHSC in 2015 and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at TTUHSC where he teaches Musculoskeletal PT Practice, History & Systems Screening and Differential Diagnosis.

Gary is married to Lyn who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist. They have two children, Mason and Reese, who keep them very busy. In their spare time they attend as many Red Raider football, baseball and basketball games as possible. If you can’t find them at a sporting event, they’re likely camping with their RV.

Kasey Loera is from Slaton, Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences in 2010. She then attended and graduated from South Plains College with an AAS as a physical therapist assistant in 2015.

Kasey has previous experience in pediatric home health and looks forward to growing in the orthopedic area of physical therapy.

Kasey is married to Justin. They welcomed their son, Braxton, into their family August of 2016. Her hobbies include spending time with family, arts and crafts, and fitness.

Liesl grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. She moved to Lubbock and attended Texas Tech University from 1985-1988. She then returned to the Sooner state and attended and graduated from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor degree in Physical Therapy in 1990 and then later received an Advanced Master of Science in Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy also from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in 1997. During that time Liesl served as the Associate Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and assisted in teaching in the Orthopedic and Sports curriculum.
Liesl has lived in Lubbock for 26 years and founded Physical Therapy Associates in 2000. She has enjoyed working with the people and the physicians of the West Texas area.
Liesl currently serves on the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and is the Texas delegate to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Liesl has four children Sloan, Aspen, Elle and Gunnar.

Liesl grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. She moved to Lubbock and attended Texas Tech University from 1985-1988. She then returned to the Sooner state and attended and graduated from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor degree in Physical Therapy in 1990. After working in the orthopedic setting for two years, Liesl returned to the University of Oklahoma to pursue an additional specialty degree in sports and orthopedic physical therapy.

While attending the University of Oklahoma she served as the Associate Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and assisted in teaching in the Orthopedic and Sports curriculum. She received an Advanced Master of Science in Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in 1996.

Liesl has lived in Lubbock for 22 years and founded Physical Therapy Associates in 2000. She has enjoyed working with the people and the physicians of the West Texas area. Liesl has four children Sloan, Aspen, Elle and Gunnar. That will pretty much tell you what she does with her free time: driving kids to and from activities, watching them play sports, and watching them dance and sing. If time allows you might find her playing tennis or cheering the Red Raiders or Sooners on to victory!
Liesl currently serves on the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners and is the Texas delegate to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Denise grew up in the Texas panhandle. In a small town called Childress, TX. In 2011, she graduated from West Texas A&M University with a Bachelors of Science in Sport and Exercise Sciences. After graduation, she quickly moved to Lubbock to attended Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center where she earned a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2014. She started her career in Outpatient Orthopedics in Fort Worth, TX. She met and married her husband, Aaron, in 2016. They moved to Midland, TX where they welcomed their biggest blessings, twins, Caroline & Mark. Returning to Lubbock, Denise joined our team in April of 2022. She is certified in Graston Technique and has a background in all outpatient orthopedic diagnoses. Her and her family are members of Hillside Christian Church. Growing up a coaches kid, Denise loves all things sports, specially fall football, Wreck Em Tech. Although her kids keep her very active, she likes to exercise, read suspenseful/thrilling novels, taking trips to her family’s lake house and fun in the sun in Florida, where her husband’s family resides.

Jaron Griffith is from Lubbock, Texas and went to Monterey High School where he met his highschool sweetheart and now wife, Jenae. He graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science in 2016, while playing on the Men’s Soccer Team. He attended and went on to graduate from South Plains College with an AAS as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2021.

Jaron first started at Physical Therapy Associates in 2016 and worked as a Physical Therapy Technician part-time until graduating and coming back as a PTA. Jaron enjoys fly fishing, hiking, outdoor activities and being around his family. Jaron has been married for 4 years to Jenae, and has two dogs named Iris and Addie.

Chrystal was born and raised around Lamesa, Tx. She has spent the last 9 years teaching technology for a charter school in Odessa, Tx. Out of those 9 years, she spent the last 4 years coaching track and cross country. In 2018, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Odessa College with a degree in Education. She loved teaching but was ready to branch out into the medical field. She moved to Lubbock in 2021 and was blessed with the opportunity to join the PTA family.

She has a son who is a senior in high school. In her spare time, she loves to watch her son run track and cross country, play basketball and tennis. She enjoys spending time with her family playing games, dancing, singing, watching movies, and pretty much anything outdoors.

Rilee was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. She attended Tyler Junior College in 2013, where she got her Associates degree in English. While attending TJC she played soccer and volleyball, and in 2013 played in the NJCAA volleyball National Championship. She then transferred to The University of North Texas where she got her B.S. in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. After graduating, she worked as an 5th Grade Math teacher for 2 years. In 2021, she became a certified SLP-Assistant and started working in pediatric home health. She moved to Lubbock in October 2022, from Fort Worth and is excited for her new adventure here!

In her spare time, she enjoys playing with their dogs Rubee, who is a Mini Aussie and Goose, who is a Vizsla. She loves cooking for her friends and family, playing sports, and hosting game nights. She is a die-hard LSU fan, but is learning to cheer on The Red Raiders!

Flora has been with P.T.A since 2009 and is considered our billing specialist. She has over 20 years of experience with medical billing procedures. She is originally from Levelland and enjoys spending time with her family and particularly her Grandchildren.