About Us

About Pain & Disability Institute

Our Doctors in Jersey City, New Jersey, have the tools, resources, and expertise needed to help you recover from injury with a focused approach to pain management. We work with patients on a one on one basis in order to better understand the patient's distinctive situation clearly. Our Doctor's past experience and educational background means that you are in the best of hands when facing a debilitating injury or painful condition.

Dr. Ariz R. Mehta — Jersey City, NJ — Pain and Disability Institute

Dr. Ariz R. Mehta is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain and sports medicine. His areas of expertise include orthopedic, spine, sports, and pain medicine. He has advanced expertise in interventional spine and pain techniques, electrodiagnostics, and musculoskeletal ultrasound..

Dr. Mehta received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from New York Medical College. He then completed residency at UMDNJ/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation where he was also named chief resident. He went on to complete a pain medicine fellowship at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD.

Dr. Mehta is also a clinical assistant professor for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and New York Medical College.


Dr. Monica Mehta is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She received her medical degree from SMT NHL Municipal Medical College in India. Her residency was completed at SUNY Downstate and the University of Utah Medical Center. Dr. Mehta is also fellowship trained through the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in addition to a diplomate from the American Academy of Pain Management. Her specialties include physical medicine and rehabilitation, electromyography, thermography, treatment of neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders and pain management & disability. 

Awards: Physician's Recognition Award - American Academy of PM&R

Academic Qualifications:

Clinical research fellow Division of Rheumatology University of Utah Medical Center 

Clinical assistant professor Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation NY Medical College (Retired )


Dr. John F. Ellis — Jersey City, NJ — Pain and Disability Institute

Dr. Nicole Brand is dual board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. She is a compassionate interventional pain specialist with a special interest in improving the functionality and quality of life of her patients. Her areas of expertise include orthopedic, spine, sports and pain medicine with advanced expertise in ultrasound and fluoroscopic procedures of the periphery and spine.


Dr. Brand received her undergraduate degree from Stevens Institute of Technology and her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She then completed residency at Temple/Moss Rehabilitation and returned to Rutgers New Jersey Medical School to complete a fellowship in pain management. 


Dr. John F. Ellis — Jersey City, NJ — Pain and Disability Institute

Dr. John F. Ellis is board-certified in chiropractic and specializes in conditions of the spine, sports related injuries and manipulation under anesthesia. He graduated from Logan University with his doctorate in chiropractic where he was twice awarded the Alumni Association Research Award. In his undergraduate years, Dr. Ellis excelled as a collegiate athlete, pitching for Georgetown University. His clinical background allows for treatment of a wide range of patients, from athletes and weekend warriors to those suffering from chronic pain.

Dr. Ellis shares his time outside of the office with his wife, Samantha, and has three wonderful children, Chloe, John and Noah.

Noemi Brizuela is a board-certified Advance Practicing Nurse in the state of New Jersey. She is the Director of Nursing for Ambulatory Pain and Disability Management Center and the senior Nurse Practitioner in Pain and Disability Institute that is both in Jersey City, NJ. Received her master’s in nursing at Walden University with specialty in Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. Worked in the past as Case Manager in different units of Bayonne Medical Center, Bayonne Visiting Nurses Association and a Nurse Manager and MDS Coordinator at Peace Care of St. Ann’s Home. She was also a home care coordinator and clinical instructor for nursing students.  Noemi is a good leader, excellent team player and collaborates with physicians and staff in improving the health care system of the different facilities she was involved in. She seeks to develop herself professionally with the goal of earning her doctorate degree as nurse practitioner. And lastly, she (together with her husband) embraces wellness as an advocacy and her love for family and God is her utmost priority.

Etinne Kenfack, LPN, RN, BSN, BS Economics and Accounting, MSBC, MSN BC-ANP is a board certified Nurse Practitioner who specializes in treating patients with acute and chronic back pain, neck pain and other intractable orthopedic and neuromuscular joint disorders. He holds two national certificates, one in Medical Surgical RN and he other as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Kenfack has been twice awarded the excellence in nursing recognition from Hackensack Meridian Hospital working in the telemetry and stroke unit.

Archana Kulkarni, PT, MS is a licensed physical therapist in the state of New Jersey and Indiana. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in physical therapy from MGM Institute of Health Sciences, India and her master's in orthopedic physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis, with a minor in geriatrics. She has experience providing care for patients with various orthopedic and neurological injuries. 

She is an avid reader who enjoys learning different languages, and is passionate about the environment and animal rights.


Ankita Patel, PT, MS, DPT is an experienced licensed physical therapist with a doctoral degree from Utica College, NY, as well as master’s degree in Kinesiology from Texas A & M University. She completed her bachelor in physical therapy from Maharaja Sayajirao University Of Baroda. She has experience working in acute, subacute, and outpatient settings. Her professional expertise includes treating multi-trauma, neurologic, orthopedic, geriatric, and post-surgical cases. Ankita Patel feels fortunate to help facilitate patients’ return to their normal lifestyle through her profession.


Proven Leadership

Working Experience

Essential Certifications

Pain Does Not Discriminate

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