Alireza Nami M.D., F.A.C.R.

Board‑Certified Rheumatologist | Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology | Fellow of EULAR

Founder, Joint and Muscle Medical Care, PC | Ballantyne Rheumatology | Joint and Muscle Research Institute

Dr. Alireza Nami is a board‑certified rheumatologist and internationally recognized clinical investigator whose work spans advanced autoimmune disease management, biologic therapeutics, and prevention‑focused rheumatology. As the founder and owner‑operator of two Charlotte‑based rheumatology practices—Joint and Muscle Medical Care in Uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne Rheumatology in South Charlotte—he provides comprehensive care to a diverse patient population across Mecklenburg and Union counties. He also leads the Joint and Muscle Research Institute, a dedicated clinical trial center contributing to landmark studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and systemic autoimmune diseases.

A graduate of Reed College with a foundation in molecular biology, Dr. Nami built his independent rheumatology enterprise from the ground up, expanding from a single office to a multi‑site clinical and research network within four years. His research portfolio includes principal investigator roles on pivotal lupus and RA trials published in The Lancet Rheumatology, including studies on intravenous belimumab safety (BASE trial) and subcutaneous anifrolumab targeting the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR1). He has participated in more than a dozen SLE trials across biologic classes, including B‑cell modulation, interferon pathway blockade, and calcineurin inhibition.

Dr. Nami’s clinical practice is rooted in a prevention‑forward philosophy: halting disease progression early, achieving remission when possible, and using targeted therapies informed by mechanistic pathways rather than brand‑driven selection. His expertise includes biologics and small‑molecule therapies such as anifrolumab, belimumab, tocilizumab, etanercept, upadacitinib, and voclosporin—many of which he has studied firsthand in Phase 2–4 trials. He incorporates treat‑to‑target strategies, interferon signature testing, and remission‑oriented endpoints (DORIS remission, LLDAS) into routine care.

His subspecialty interests span the full rheumatologic spectrum, including lupus nephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthropathy, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, inflammatory myopathies, gout and CPPD, sarcoidosis, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease. He is experienced in managing complex overlap syndromes and uses systematic serologic and clinical criteria to guide diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to conventional rheumatology, Dr. Nami integrates functional medicine principles into autoimmune disease prevention. His recent book chapter, Can We Prevent Auto‑Immunity (2025), explores oxidative stress, antioxidants, and emerging strategies for immune modulation. He also oversees Joint and Muscle Supplements, a targeted nutraceutical line supporting musculoskeletal and autoimmune health.

Dr. Nami is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology (FACR) and a long‑standing Fellow of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). His honors include the International Success Award from Central Piedmont Community College and prior recognition for public health education through Healthwise Public Television. He maintains affiliations with Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and Atrium Health University City.

A multilingual physician, Dr. Nami provides care in Farsi, French, Russian, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a broad patient community.