Johnston, RI Office

Brian Pontarelli, DPM, is a board certified foot and ankle surgeon at Rhode Island Foot Care’s locations in Cumberland, North Providence, Cumberland & Johnston, Rhode Island as well as Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Dr. Pontarelli received his Bachelor of Science in biology and minor in business administration from Providence College in Rhode Island. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. Afterward, he completed his residency and surgical training at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

He performs all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery and has a passion for sports medicine. Dr. Pontarelli is also an avid diabetic wound care specialist. He is a founding member and staff podiatrist of a local wound care center and has helped heal many difficult wounds utilizing cutting edge technology such as hyperbaric oxygen chambers and synthesized skin derivatives.

Dr. Pontarelli became board certified and a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons in 2002. Over the past nine years, Dr. Pontarelli has brought many innovative ideas to better serve patients, using a “one-stop shopping” mentality, with in-office circulation testing and a full line of foot care and footwear products.

He holds hospital affiliations with Lifespan/The Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Care System, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and Roger Williams Medical Center. He also serves on the Education Committee and participates in resident training at Roger Williams Medical Center.

David Ruggiero, DPM, FACFAS, joined Rhode Island Foot Care in October 2009, bringing with him nearly 10 years of extensive experience and a passion for providing patients with the best care possible to live an active life. He currently sees patients at the locations in East Providence and Johnston, Rhode Island.

Through his experience, Dr. Ruggiero has developed an expertise in diabetic foot care, limb loss management, generalized and specialized foot surgery, and systemic diseases affecting the foot. Committed to staying ahead of the foot care industry and keeping patients connected to and educated on their health and wellness, Dr. Ruggiero has developed his expertise in many ways. He previously served as a clinician for the wound center at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. He also acts as a resource to the community and served as past President of the Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association and co-chairman of the Podiatry Institute Seminar of Newport, Rhode Island.

In addition to his primary private practice in East Providence, Dr. Ruggiero continues site visits in Johnston and North Providence, as well as surgical practice at Miriam Hospital and The Southern New England Surgery Center in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

A native Rhode Islander, Dr. Ruggiero was born in Providence and received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Providence College. Afterward, he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. His residency was completed at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, followed by a board certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and becoming a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Ruggiero’s first practice led him to Florida’s St. Augustine community, where he worked for two years building relationships and specializations in an effort to keep his patients doing what they loved. A Rhode Islander at heart, he returned to his roots, where he now works alongside his practice partners in East Providence to continue evolving the latest and most effective ways to diagnose and treat patients.

Dr. Jay Emlen, DPM, FACFAS, is a board qualified podiatrist and the newest partner of the Rhode Island Foot Care team. He currently sees patients at the practice’s locations in Dartmouth, Massachusetts…….

Dr. Emlen grew up on Mount Desert Island, Maine, home of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. He attended undergraduate school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia for 2 years before transferring to Hunter College in New York City. Following his undergraduate education, Dr. Emlen worked at an EMT in New York City while completing his post-baccalaureate pre-med courses at Hunter College Dr. Emlen graduated from New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2018.

Dr. Emlen completed his podiatric medical and surgical residency at Lenox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. This program has a strong emphasis on forefoot and rearfoot reconstruction as well as diabetic wound care. At Lenox Hill Hospital he trained under many podiatrists, as well as orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons, and served as the chief resident in his final year of training.

Dr. Emlen has already enjoyed getting to know the communities he is serving. His approach to podiatric care is patient centered and focused on improving patients’ quality of life.

In his free time, Dr. Emlen enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two young children.