Meet Our Physical Therapists
TARA FONTENOT, DPT
Tara takes a holistic approach to physical therapy, focusing on the root cause of pain rather than just the symptoms. She combines education, manual therapy, functional movement retraining, and modalities such as dry needling to support long-term recovery.
Tara earned a degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia in 2003 and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 2006. Tara went on to serve as Head Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer for the U.S. Ski Team and was a member of the U.S. Medical Team at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Her advanced training includes Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a distinction held by only 6% of Physical Therapists in the US.
Treating patients in Charlottesville since 2012, Tara is also STOTT PILATES® certified and integrates Pilates into her practice to connect movement patterns, core control, and function. She is passionate about advancing the field of PT, serving as a clinical instructor, site coordinator of clinical education, and reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware, 2006
Kinesiology with concentration in Sports Medicine degree from the University of Virginia, 2003
Physical Therapist for Olympic Ski Team, 2007-2012
Member of US Medical Team at 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Athletic Trainer
Dry Needling Specialist
SUSANNAH HILL, DPT
Susannah’s approach combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, whole-body perspective. She empowers patients to take an active role in their treatment and recovery.
A Charlottesville native, Susannah grew up playing soccer at Monticello High School before continuing as a Division I athlete at Elon University. After graduation, she lived at Camp Lejeune, NC while her husband served in the Marine Corps, where she worked as a personal trainer for individuals of all ages, including active-duty military.
Susannah earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences and has practiced in outpatient orthopedics since 2017. She has extensive training in pelvic floor physical therapy for women, treating concerns such as pelvic pain, urinary and bowel dysfunction, prenatal and postpartum recovery, sexual health, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
She also specializes in pediatric pelvic floor therapy, helping children with conditions such as constipation, incontinence, bedwetting, and toilet-training challenges. Susannah is passionate about empowering both women and children to improve pelvic health and overall well-being.
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
Bachelors in Physical Education, Elon University
Women’s Pelvic Health Specialist
Pediatric Pelvic Health Specialist
Sports Rehabilitation
Personal Trainer
“Susannah Hill changed our lives. For the first time, my son is able to have a bowel movement without a suppository. We acquired helpful exercises, behavioral strategies that increase independence, and also discovered the correct dosage of a dietary supplement to significantly reduce accidents. We are so grateful.”
“Tara is a lifesaver. I’ve had severe back spasms that left me unable to walk, and while physicians and chiropractors only treated the pain, Tara isolated the deep muscles causing the problem and released them. Many times I’ve hobbled in, and after her treatment, walked out on my own. She also gave me a daily home program that has greatly reduced episodes for years. Tara is the only person I trust with my back.”