Meet Our Staff

Re-defining Outpatient Physical Therapy

Charru Malik -

April is our friendly office manager in Whiting, Indiana who brings to us years of experience in customer service.

She brings to our staff a friendly, understanding, and compassionate attitude.

She excels in assisting our patients with insurance, billing, and schedules to suit individual needs.

Nik is licensed in Physical Therapy and Ergonomics. He devoted his first 10 years as a physical therapist to St. Catherine's Hospital East Chicago, working in a variety of settings including in-patient, orthopedics, ergonomics, industrial rehab, and other conditions affecting our elderly population.

During his tenure there he was instrumental in setting up and creating treatment protocols for the Hand and Joint Academy, which was very well received. Nik is passionate about all orthopedic cases specializing in treatments of the spine and joint replacements.

Meet Our Staff

Lesa De Jong-

Charru earned her Masters of Health Science degree from University of Indianapolis.

She has spent the last 8 years working in a variety of out patient and home settings demonstrating flexibility in providing proper care to a broad range of patient needs.

She is well versed in exercise Physiology and Neurological conditions affecting our patients and strives towards finding a productive outcome.

Shakti is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant for the state of IN and IL. She has earned her Masters in Exercise Physiology from Southern Illinois University in Edwardville, IL.

She graduated in Physical Therapy from Indore Institute of Medical Sciences in India in 2007. After graduating she worked in outpatient and inpatient setting in Indore, where she worked in Orthopedic and Neurology departments.

She loves working with a variety of patients and strives to provide them with the best quality of care.

Shakti has worked two years in a Home health setting with Genesis Rehab Services and currently provides optimum outpatient care for our Whiting office.

April Rodriguez -

Lesa is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, graduating in 2012 from Ivy Tech Community College with High Honors.

She started her career in Pediatrics serving low income children in Illinois and Indiana. She has practiced in a variety of settings to include home health and outpatient with concentrations in manual therapy.

She is a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. While Lesa specializes in pediatric therapy, she also enjoys working with Veterans and the geriatric population. Veterans hold a special place in her heart.

On her down time, she enjoys coaching youth soccer, volunteering, especially at veterans and fire/police events. She also enjoys sewing, crochet, and crafting.

Howard Saccomando M.S. O.T.R.

Nikhil Malik-

Contact Us Today
Saint John- (219)627-3069
Whiting- (219)655-5285

Howard earned his masters from Creighton University in Nebraska.

During his 25 year career as an occupational therapist he has worked in a variety of settings, including 20 years at St. Catherine Hospital where he specialized in the Orthopedic Arm.

He continues to work in out patient and home health settings promising quality rehab to those affected with Neurological and physical disabilities.

Shakti Banwat -