After 50 years of caring for patients, mentoring colleagues, and quietly shaping the way physical therapy is practiced in our region, Chris Junkins is retiring from Dosher Physical Therapy on January 16, 2026. His last day comes almost exactly 25 years after he first walked through the doors to join Dosher Physical Therapy on January 15, 2001.
For those who know Chris, this transition is far more than a date on the calendar. It is the closing of a chapter written over five decades of steady service, deep faith, and a genuine love for helping people move, heal, and live more fully.
From Anderson to a Lifelong Calling
Chris’ journey in physical therapy began in August 1976 at Anderson Hospital (now ANMED) in Anderson, South Carolina. Fresh out of school and new to the profession, he was shaped by mentors like John Dean, who showed him that excellent care is a combination of clinical skill, clear expectations, and genuine encouragement.
Those early years taught Chris how to think like a therapist and act like a servant-leader. He learned to show up on time, work hard, and never lose sight of the person behind the injury. These lessons became the foundation for everything that followed.
Brief Season at the Beach
After Anderson, Chris spent a short but memorable stretch at Grand Strand Hospital in Myrtle Beach. It was a time of new friendships and another strong mentor in Olympic swimmer Jeff Falkel, who reinforced the value of discipline and consistency.
This was also when Chris’ lifelong love of running began to take root, a habit that would follow him for more than four decades and mirror the steady, long-distance nature of his career in therapy.
Rock Hill, Winthrop, and Growth
In 1979, Chris moved to Rock Hill to attend Winthrop University and complete his degree while working full-time. Balancing a demanding academic load with hands-on patient care, he learned how to manage time, stress, and responsibility with calm persistence.
Those years were full of growth. He learned the business side of rehab, deepened his clinical knowledge, and began to see how his work could truly change lives. Rock Hill and the surrounding Charlotte area also gave him opportunities to collaborate with other therapists and develop a more modern, movement-focused approach to care. He gives credit to Mike Fedele and Eric Schmidt for mentoring him in how to start a private practice and run it ethically.
Faith, Family, and a Partner in Life
One of the greatest blessings of Chris’ journey has been his wife, Martha. Their partnership has carried them through relocations, long days in the clinic, and the ups and downs that come with serving people in pain.
Chris often reflects that he has received far more from this life than he has given. He credits his faith and Martha’s steadfast support as anchors through each professional season—from early uncertainty to confident leadership and, finally, to a well-earned retirement.
Finding Home at Dosher Physical Therapy
In 2001, Chris joined the team at Dosher Physical Therapy, beginning what would become a 25-year chapter that felt very much like home. The practice’s focus on personal relationships, hands-on care, and community presence fit perfectly with his values.
At Dosher PT, Chris became known for:
- Taking time to truly listen to each patient’s story.
- Combining strong clinical reasoning with a calm, reassuring presence.
- Encouraging patients to believe they could get better, even when progress was slow.
- Supporting his coworkers, especially younger therapists, with practical wisdom and steady encouragement.
Patients often returned years later to say thank you, or sent friends and family members because they trusted his care. Over time, Chris cared for multiple generations within the same families, a quiet testimony to both his skill and his character.
A Life in Motion: Running and Community
Alongside his work, Chris maintained a 44-year running habit, putting in countless miles on roads and trails across the Carolinas. For him, running was more than exercise; it was a way to practice the same endurance he encouraged in his patients—one step at a time, day after day.
He also poured into the community through coaching and support of Special Olympics athletes and youth activities. That same patient, encouraging voice so many heard in the clinic was shared freely on sidelines, at events, and in quiet one-on-one conversations.
Professional Involvement and Lifelong Learning
Throughout his career, Chris remained active in professional organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association at both state and national levels. He valued staying current with best practices and saw continuing education not as an obligation but as a privilege.
Colleagues describe him as a bridge between generations—someone who respected the roots of the profession but also embraced new ideas, techniques, and technologies when they were grounded in solid evidence and patient benefit.
“What I’ve Gotten Back Has Been 10 Times Better”
When asked to reflect on his career, Chris speaks less about accomplishments and more about relationships.
“I’ve served and helped all these patients, but what I’ve gotten back in return has been 10 times better,” he shared near the end of his time in the clinic. “The trust they’ve placed in me, the stories they’ve shared, the progress we’ve celebrated together—it’s all been worth it.”
That posture of gratitude has defined his work from the first day in Anderson to his final week at Dosher PT.
Looking Ahead: A New Season, Not an Ending
Although Chris is officially retiring on January 16, 2026, he will not disappear from the Dosher PT family. He plans to remain available in a limited capacity for occasional support—and, just as importantly, for friendship.
In this next season, Chris looks forward to:
- More unhurried time with Martha and family.
- Staying active and healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
- Continuing to serve in ways that align with his faith and values, even outside a traditional clinic setting.
With Gratitude from Dosher Physical Therapy
Everyone at Dosher Physical Therapy—patients, staff, and partners—joins together to say a heartfelt thank you to Chris Junkins. His 25 years with our practice and 50 years in the profession have left a lasting mark on countless lives in Anderson, Greenville, Rock Hill, and beyond.
His example reminds us that the heart of physical therapy is not just in protocols or equipment, but in steady hands, listening ears, and a kind word offered at the right time.From all of us at Dosher PT:
Thank you, Chris, for walking this long road with us. Enjoy this new chapter—you have more than earned it.
