At Joint Muscle Medical Care and Research Institute, we are focused on exceeding your expectations by delivering the best care with the highest levels of customer satisfaction to each one of our patients.
Our 2 Board Certified Doctors in Rheumatology and our compassionate staff will leave you happy entrusting your care to us.
Dr. Alireza Nami
Board Certified Rheumatologist
Alireza Nami M.D.,F.A.C.R.
Dr. Alireza Nami was born in Tabriz and raised in Tehran, Iran. He is a graduate of Reed College in Portland, Oregon where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He earned his M.D. at St. George’s University in 1994. He then completed his Residency program in Internal Medicine at Albany Medical Center in 1998, followed by a Rheumatology Fellowship in 2000. Dr. Nami is Board Certified in Rheumatology.
In 2004, Dr. Nami founded JMMCRI, his first private practice at 332 Lillington Avenue, in Uptown Charlotte. JMMCRI is focused on the latest research and technology in the fields of Rheumatology and Immunology. In 2008, Dr. Nami opened his second location, Ballantyne Rheumatology to diagnose and help people in South Charlotte, Union County, Monroe and surrounding areas who are suffering from arthritis.
Dr. Nami has been highly successful in treating autoimmune disease of the musculoskeletal system. He further specializes in back pain, fibromyalgia, diseases of the bone and osteoporosis.
Dr. Nami is married to Lilit Nami, M.D. who is an attending physician at one of the local hospitals in Charlotte. They are proud parents of Daniel and Sophia. During Dr. Nami’s free time, he enjoys sports, swimming, listening to music, attending his children’s activities and traveling with his family.
John Brendese M.D.,F.A.C.R.
Dr. Brendese is originally from Troy, NY and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute(RPI). His interest in math and science inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He earned his M.D. from New York Medical College and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Greenwich Hospital (a Yale affiliate). He continued his training at the Rheumatology and Allergy/immunology fellowship program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.
Dr. Brendese is a board-certified physician who has specialized in Rheumatology. He started his practice in rheumatology in 2005 and spent six years at a thriving multi-specialty practice in Florida. In 2011, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon relocation, the staff at Joint and Muscle Medical Care/Ballantyne Rheumatology were pleased to welcome Dr. Brendese onto their team to serve the rheumatology population in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Over the years, he has had great success in treating patients with various rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and osteoporosis.
Dr. Brendese combines traditional medicine and practices with his extensive experience with infusion drugs including Remicade, Rituxan, and Benlysta. In addition to the use of conventional medicine, he has taken an interest in the innovation of medicine and treatment options through the use of clinical trials. Joint and Muscle Research Institute, with the help of Dr. Brendese over the past seven years, has served a wide range of patients with a clinical trial option in various rheumatic diseases including but not limited to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. He is thorough and compassionate when caring for individuals with varying medical needs and disease complexity. Outside of the clinical practice, Dr. Brendese enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two sons as well as playing tennis and reading.
Dr. John Brendese
Board Certified Rheumatologist
Insurance Currently Being Accepted
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
- Cigna
- Humana
- Medcost
- Medicare
- Medicare HMO plans
- Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- and self-pay
Please call our office 704-377-1216 to confirm any private insurance that may not be listed.
Why Us
We are a privately own Rheumatology practice that is interested in putting our patient care first and we are driven by innovative care in preventing advancement of inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout, and other immunological driven diseases.
We are recognized as Thought Leaders by our peers and are active participants in latest Clinical Research Trials with prestigious pharmaceutical companies.
Our team is solidified around two board certified Rheumatologists that are FACR (Fellows of American College of Rheumatology) and active members of EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism).
Our mission is
- to improve your Quality of Life and stop the progression of debilitating diseases using targeted treatment choices while providing compassionate care.
- to empower patients to become active participants in their care.
- to become a patient advocate and strive to provide care that not only is effective but also safe.
