Over the Mountain Pediatrics celebrates 40 years

BIRMINGHAM (Sept. 24, 2021) – Over the Mountain Pediatrics celebrated its 40-year anniversary as a pediatric practice on Wednesday, Sept. 22. The practice was originally founded in Birmingham in 1981 by Drs. Elizabeth Hodges and Lillian Israel, who were both completing residencies at Children’s of Alabama. Dr. Linda Stone joined the practice as a full partner in 1986. Staff, physicians and retired employees attended the celebration at Over the Mountain Pediatrics to commemorate the anniversary.

Hodges and Stone were full-time pediatricians and young mothers during the first few years of working together, and they supported each other in both endeavors. To this day, the bond that the physicians and staff have with each other, their patients and patient families is unbreakable. 

Over the Mountain Pediatrics has been a female-run practice for 40 years. “The camaraderie between physicians and the entire staff at the practice combined with everyone’s willingness to help is amazing,” Lori Coletta, practice manager, said. 

The practice treats patients from all areas of Birmingham and from multiple generations. “I took care of the mothers of many of my current patients,” Hodges said. “Dr. Elizabeth Luke was once Dr. Stone’s patient. When Dr. Stone retired, Dr. Luke was hired as a physician at the practice.” 

Seven board-certified pediatricians provide excellent care for children from birth through college years, and the well-trained staff at Over the Mountain Pediatrics has served families in Birmingham and surrounding communities for sick and well visits including immunizations over the last 40 years. 

The physicians and staff at Over the Mountain Pediatrics are dedicated to the health and well-being of each of their patients. “For 32 years I had the honor of touching the lives of children,” Stone said. “I considered each patient like my own child.” 

Over the Mountain Pediatrics Physicians

Elizabeth Hodges, MD, FAAP

Lisa Conry, MD, FAAP

Melisa Wilson, MD, FAAP

Julie Dennis, MD, FAAP

Courtney Baxley, MD, FAAP

Ginger Menendez, MD, FAAP

Elizabeth Luke, MD, FAAP 

Over the Mountain Pediatrics

3300 Cahaba Road, Suite 102

Birmingham, AL 35223

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient, outpatient and primary care throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s serves patients from every county in Alabama and nearly every state. Children’s is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.