Staff

John Santos has a lifelong dedication to health, fitness, and rehabilitation. After serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he competed on the Marine Corps powerlifting team, John continued to pursue his passion for strength sports. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he went on to win multiple state titles and the U.S. National Powerlifting Championship in 1988. However, the combination of injury and the demands of starting a family led him to shift his focus, ultimately earning a degree in Physical Therapy from Long Beach State University in 1994.

With a broad and varied career in rehabilitation, John has worked in numerous settings, including inpatient care, transitional care units, acute rehabilitation, wound care, and outpatient orthopedics. In 2001, he founded PRO PT, where he continues to specialize in general orthopedic and sports physical therapy, helping patients recover from injuries and optimize their performance. A strong advocate for community health education, John also offers bilingual lectures on back safety, body mechanics, and preventing repetitive strain injuries for local organizations and businesses.

Outside of his professional life, John is passionate about staying active. He continues to work out regularly, enjoys skiing and mountain biking, and is an avid fan of the New York Yankees. Above all, he values spending quality time with his family and friends.

Through his career and personal pursuits, John remains committed to improving the quality of life for others, whether in the clinic or in the community.

Aka “Mr. Alex”, “Coach”, “Smiley”, “Sunshine” Alex Graduated from UC Irvine in 2019 with a BS in Biological Sciences. He has experience working in biotechnology, laboratory medicine, and physical therapy in outpatient and home health settings.

He began working at Pro PT in 2021 seeking a more direct patient care role in preparation to pursue physical therapy school. He changed career goals from PT to nursing in 2022 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing which he will finish in early 2025 with the goal of becoming a critical care nurse in the ICU or ER.

In his free time, he enjoys powerlifting, boxing, photography, and spending time with his friends and family.

Bio Coming Soon

Jacob is currently a student at Cal State Long Beach and is set to graduate in the spring of 2026 with a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine and Psychology. He has been working at Pro PT since September of 2023. After he finishes his bachelor's degree, he plans to apply for an Occupational Therapy program.

In his free time, you can find Jacob reading a book or sleeping.

Leslie transferred from Irvine Valley College to UC Riverside, and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She has been at Pro PT since December 2022 and has been gaining healthcare experience to enter Physician Assistant school.

In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, singing, writing, and spending time with friends and family.

Mackenzie attended Washington State University from 2021-2022, then transferred back home to Fullerton College. She is taking time to gain experience working, but plans to graduate in 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. She began working at Pro PT in August of 2024.

In her free time, she enjoys surfing, horseback riding, weightlifting, and spending time with friends and family.

Karissa attended Long Beach City College from 2018-2020, to then transfer to Whittier College. She completed her BA in Kinesiology in the Spring of 2022. During all her 4 years of college, she was a student athlete apart of the water polo and swim teams. Karissa began working at Pro PT in March of 2023. On the side, she has been working for a swim club in Long Beach since 2018, previously a coach to now one of the club's admin members.

Karissa has always had interest in working in a health care setting, which led her to Pro PT. Currently, she is in the process of returning to school with a plan to apply to a dental hygiene program by 2026.

In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, reading, and spending time with family/friends.