Meet Our Physical Therapists

TARA FONTENOT, DPT, CLINICAL DIRECTOR

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 dry needling to support long-term recovery.

Tara earned a degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia (2003) and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware (2006). She 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 (OCS) — a distinction held by only 6% of Physical Therapists in the U.S.

Practicing in Charlottesville since 2012, Tara is also STOTT PILATES® certified and integrates Pilates-based movement into her sessions to restore core control, balance, 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 (CAPTE).

  • 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

“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.”
— Dr. J.D. Charlottesville

SUSANNAH HILL, DPT

Susannah’s approach combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, whole-body perspective, empowering patients to take an active role in their treatment and recovery.

A Charlottesville native and former Division I soccer player at Elon University, Susannah brings an athletic, functional mindset to her practice. After graduation, she lived at Camp Lejeune, NC, 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, addressing 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 constipation, incontinence, bedwetting, and toilet-training challenges. Susannah is passionate about empowering 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.”

REBECCA BROWN, DPT (starting January 1, 2026)

Rebecca Brown, DPT, brings over a decade of experience in orthopedic physical therapy with a strong foundation in functional movement and Pilates-based rehabilitation. She specializes in helping clients recover from injury, improve movement efficiency, and build lasting strength through mindful, systems-based care.

Rebecca earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011 and has since worked in outpatient orthopedic settings, where she integrates manual therapy, functional strength training, and Pilates to restore balanced movement and confidence.

Her path to physical therapy began with a lifelong passion for movement. While pursuing a career in professional dance, Rebecca discovered Pilates and began teaching in 1999. She later completed her STOTT PILATES® certification in 2006 after moving to Charlottesville, where she taught private and group sessions while deepening her understanding of anatomy and biomechanics.

 This combined background in dance, Pilates, and orthopedic rehabilitation allows Rebecca to bring an intuitive and technically precise approach to each session—helping clients bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance.

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011

  • Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Michigan, 2004

  • Certified Pilates Instructor 

  • Sports Rehabilitation

  • Lecturer Dance Medicine Science, Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Dance, 2013-2015

  • Speaker, International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Philadelphia, 2015