Meet The Rehabilitation Department Therapists

Tanya Sotillo

Director of the Rehabilitation Services / Physical Therapist

Tanya N Sotillo is the Director of the Rehabilitation Services here at ADMC.  A Native of New York City, Tanya grew up on Staten Island. She attended the University of North Carolina-Charlotte on a track & field scholarship and received her BS in health promotions and kinesiology.  She went on to Long Island University and received a Masters of Science specializing in Exercise Physiology. After working a year as an Exercise Physiologist she decided to apply to physical therapy school.  She then came south to attend the University of Texas Medical Branch and received a Masters in Physical Therapy.

Tanya’s first love is Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.  She began her career working with professional athletes and weekend warriors at the T.A.N.K; a Houston clinic that applied Pilates along with physical therapy as a form of rehab.  She spent time at the Hospital for Joint Disease in NYC working with Post-operative orthopedic / spine patients.  She has worked as the Assistant Director at the Foot Clinic of New York, which is housed within the New York College of Podiatry where she worked with numerous Podiatrists and performed as an Adjunct Professor teaching Podiatry student’s manual treatment techniques. She has experience with patients who have had CVAs, spinal cord injuries and vestibular issues and has also worked with cancer patients outpatient and acute at MD Anderson Hospital. She has worked as Director of Rehabilitation in Skilled Nursing which allowed her to work closely with the geriatric population.  She also worked multiple years as Medical Team Leader at the prestigious New Balance Collegiate Invitational and the National Scholastic Indoor Track & Field Championships in New York City.   

 In addition to the time spent working in numerous treatment settings she became a Certified Pilates Instructor and traveled to Vancouver, Canada to become certified in the Active Release Technique.  She then applied these techniques to help many Track & Field athletes and NFL players rehab from injuries.  Tanya sat on the Board as Chair of women’s Track & Field for the non-profit organization, USA Track & Field New York City, and was Assistant Coach for the girls’ cross country / track & field. 

Sara Janda

Physical Therapist

Sara Janda is a Physical Therapist and is originally from La Grange, Texas.  She earned her bachelor’s of applied exercise physiology at Texas A&M University in College Station.  She then attended UTMB in Galveston to obtain her Master’s of Physical Therapy.  She has worked in multiple out-patient clinics such as Memorial Herman Sports Medicine, hospitals and nursing homes.  She has experience with patients from 18-months old to 103 years old.  Sara’s passion is in sports medicine and pediatric therapy. 

Sara lives in Alvin with her husband of 9 years.  She enjoys camping, SCUBA diving, traveling, waterskiing, and reading.  She also has fun doing unique activities such as grass skiing, driving barstools, riding couches down the road, and riding the neighbor’s jet ski around the block.

Melissa Dickens

Occupational Therapist

Melissa Dickens is an Occupational Therapist with 7 years of experience in her field.   She holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from UTMB in Galveston and is licensed by the State of Texas.  Her passion is serving the pediatric population.  Melissa has worked in local school systems and outpatient clinics.  She has professional experience in orthopedics, neurological dysfunction and pediatric developmental delays. Melissa specializes in pediatric feeding difficulties and seating and mobility. She enjoys assisting and educating parents and patients on mobility equipment and other specialized equipment to help their children gain independence and increase function.  She is currently working towards her certification as an ATP (Assistive Technology Practitioner).  Growing up with two childhood cousins with special needs was what motivated Melissa to decide that Occupational Therapy would be the career for her.  Seeing the determination, love, and compassion that their family and therapists had is what drives Melissa to help each child and their families.  At home, Melissa enjoys staying busy chasing after her two year old son and helping out her family in their restaurant.

Robert Brown

Physical Therapist Assistant

            Robert has been a Physical Therapist Assistant for 13 years.  He has worked in various settings including outpatient, inpatient and skilled nursing facilities.  Robert also serves as a Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapist Assistant students from several local colleges.  Prior to becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant, he worked as a Paramedic for 20 years.  During that time he held positions as Shift Supervisor, Maintenance Supervisor, Assistant Director and Director of EMS in Huntsville Texas. He also served in the Huntsville Fire Department where a achieved the rank of Captain.  Robert has a B.S. from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice and an A.A.S. from San Jacinto College in Physical Therapist Assistant.  He received his Paramedic training at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Robert lives in Angleton with his wife and 3 children.  He enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.  He also enjoys camping and other outdoor activities.  Robert is a member of the First Baptist Church in Angleton.

Melissa Brown

Physical Therapy Assistant

Melissa Brown is a physical therapy assistant and is originally from Palacios, Texas.  Melissa achieved her associate’s degree in physical therapy from Wharton County Junior College and has Associates in Business Management for Park University.  Since attaining her license in June of 2005, she has worked in the outpatient orthopedic setting primarily.  However, she does have a great amount of experience in the inpatient acute setting.  She has worked in leadership positions over the years at previous clinics and enjoys the variety of experiences the physical therapy field offers.  She is certified thru Sole Supports to fit patients for orthotics.  She has been married 20 years and has two wonderful children.  She is a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer religious education teacher.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, camping, and hunting.