Experienced foot and ankle specialists

Podiatrist David Greenberg, DPM, FACFAS, is one of the founding partners and President of Rhode Island Foot Care. He is proud to provide comprehensive foot and ankle care to patients in Pawtucket, East Providence, Warren, and Warwick, Rhode Island, and in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

Dr. Greenberg earned his Bachelor of Science from Springfield College in Massachusetts and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He then completed his residency at Cranston General Hospital in Rhode Island.

Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in foot surgery, Dr. Greenberg specializes in diabetic and vascular foot disorders, reconstructive foot surgery, and advanced wound care. He also specializes in biomechanics and orthotic therapy. His passion, leadership, and work ethic have made Rhode Island Foot Care dominant leaders with regards to foot and ankle disorders in the state.

Dr. Greenberg is the Chief of Podiatric Medicine at The Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He loves to educate, working closely with the podiatric residency program at Roger Williams Hospital.

He is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and American Diabetes Association. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Douglas Glod, DPM, FACFAS, has been in private practice for over 30 years, specializing in all aspects of foot and ankle care. Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery, he serves patients at Rhode Island Foot Care’s offices in Pawtucket and East Providence, Rhode Island.

Dr. Glod has lectured both nationally and internationally on various foot and ankle pathologies, authored several papers, and was also a co-investigator with a cooperative interdisciplinary podiatric geriatrics program at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island. In addition, he is the Residency Director of the Podiatric Medical and Surgical Resident Program with reconstructive rearfoot and ankle at Kent Hospital.

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Glod has further specialized in complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery in addition to working with limb salvage in diabetic and high-risk patient populations. Using technologies like ringed external fixation, total ankle implants, and the latest in technology with internal fixation and ortho-biologics, he has been able to pioneer techniques in limb salvage that few in Rhode Island or in the New England area have ventured.

Dr. Glod previously served as the Chief of Podiatry, Director of Podiatric Residency, and Chair of Credentials Committee at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, as well as a clinical assistant professor at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is currently the Director of Podiatric Residency at Kent Hospital.

He holds hospital affiliations with Kent Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center, Landmark Medical Center, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and Saint Anne’s Hospital.

Dr. Glod is a member of the American Diabetes Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, and Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association. He is also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

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.

Board certified in foot and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery, Aaron Shemenski, DPM, FACFAS, has successfully performed over 4,000 foot and ankle procedures. He is currently accepting new patients at Rhode Island Foot Care’s locations in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Taunton, Massachusetts.

During his three-year advanced podiatric medicine and surgery residency at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Dr. Shemenski successfully performed over 2,000 foot and ankle procedures. He ultimately served as the chief surgical resident and continues to be active in resident education.

In addition to general foot and ankle surgery, he also performs advanced reconstructive and limb salvage surgery. Certified in ankle arthroscopy and external fixation techniques, Dr. Shemenski recently had the opportunity to train at the Russian Ilizarov Center for Restorative Trauma, an 800-bed orthopedic hospital located in southern Siberia.

Dr. Shemenski is licensed to perform podiatric medicine and surgery in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He has lectured on foot and ankle pathologies both nationally and internationally. His interests include the management of all foot and ankle pathology, including heel pain, bunions, and hammertoes, sports medicine, as well as diabetic foot and limb salvage with the treatment of wounds and infections. He continues to be active in education, recently receiving certification in hyperbaric oxygen therapy and completing the Master’s Course for lapiplasty bunion correction.

Dr. Shemenski is an avid pilot and enjoys golfing, skiing, and spending time with his wife and daughter. He is a supporter of The Tomorrow Fund for pediatric cancer and is a member of the SAS Lacrosse Foundation.

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.

James Appleton, DPM, FACFAS, is a board certified podiatrist and the newest partner of the Rhode Island Foot Care team. He currently sees patients at the practice’s locations in North Providence and Newport, and Rhode Island.

Dr. Appleton is a native Rhode Islander born in Providence. He attended Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 2000-­2004, and received his bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus in computer science. While attending Assumption University, he was actively involved in intramural sports and was a member of the baseball team. After obtaining a degree in biology, he attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and received his medical degree in 2010.

Dr. Appleton completed his podiatric medical and surgical residency from Roger Williams Medical Center, a program with an emphasis on forefoot and rearfoot reconstruction as well as diabetic wound care and limb salvage. There, he trained under many local podiatrists, as well as orthopedic surgeons, and served as the chief resident in his final year of training.

He is active with surgical residency training and is a member of the academic training committee associated with the Roger Williams Medical Center residency program. Dr. Appleton takes a personal approach with each patient, providing care and treatment in a comfortable and friendly setting.

In his free time, Dr. Appleton enjoys playing sports, spending time with family, and building and carpentry work.

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.

Dr. Nicole Curreri is the newest associate of the Rhode Island Foot Care team. She currently sees patients at the practice’s Dartmouth,East Providence and Warren offices.

Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Curreri earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Honors Program from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a nursing assistant in a long-term care facility and as a medical scribe in a podiatry office—experiences that sparked her passion for foot and ankle care.

She went on to receive her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in 2022. Dr. Curreri completed her Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency at Roger Williams Medical Center with added credentials in Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. She served as chief resident in her final year and gained extensive experience in diabetic limb salvage and wound care. During residency, she trained under many respected local podiatrists, including those at Rhode Island Foot Care.

Having established strong professional and personal ties in Rhode Island during her residency, Dr. Curreri is proud to continue her career in the Ocean State as part of the Rhode Island Foot Care team.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Curreri enjoys exploring New England, spending time outdoors, golfing, cooking, and sharing time with family and friends.