Meet Our Therapists

Christy Mann OTR/L, CHT graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Health-Related Professions. She also is a board-certified hand therapist who specializes in injuries and dysfunctions of the entire upper extremity. Christy co-founded Over the Mountain Rehab in April 2003 at the request of several area orthopedic surgeons. She has more than a decade of experience working with upper extremity injuries, including traumatic hand injuries, custom splinting, occupational injuries and pediatrics. Christy has recently been trained in the management of lymphedema. Christy is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists.

Lisa Ruttenberg-Bor, PT, OCS graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia State University . There she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and was the recipient of the Physical Therapy Award for Clinical Excellence. Lisa worked at St. Vincent 's Hospital for thirteen years where she was outpatient therapy supervisor and implemented the lymphedema management program. With over a decade of experience in orthopedics, aquatics, geriatrics and lymphedema treatments, Lisa co-founded Over the Mountain Rehab in April, 2003. In 2011, she earned her certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Alabama Chapter of Physical Therapy, and belongs to both the orthopedic and private practice sections.

Stephanie Brownlee, LPTA  graduated cum laude in 2000 from Wallace State Community College with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science as a physical therapist assistant and an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in sports medicine.  Stephanie worked at Brookwood Medical Center in the outpatient rehab department for six years with specialty in aquatics.  In 2006, Stephanie joined the team at Over The Mountain Rehab, Inc. with special interests in orthopedics, lymphedema and TMJ disorders.

Merrell “Tommy” Ponder, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Alabama State University in 2009. In 2005, he graduated with honors from the University of Montevallo with a B.S. in kinesiology and a minor in biology. As a Certified McKenzie Practitioner, Tommy has devoted the majority of his professional career to researching and applying the principles of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) to the comprehensive assessment, treatment and education of patients suffering from spinal disorders. Aside from practicing physical therapy, Tommy is a part-time instructor at Jefferson State Community College. He has led talks for Alabama Power Company and the University of Montevallo. Some of his professional activities include serving as the clinical advisor to the Academic/Curriculum Advisory Board for the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Montevallo and consulting in the field of orthopedic physical therapy. Professional memberships include the McKenzie Institute USA, American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, the American Physical Therapy Association, the Alabama Physical Therapy Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.