Meet Our Providers
Pain Management Specialists in Phoenix, AZ
The experienced providers at Pain Consultants of Arizona combine the latest in pain management technology with individualized attention and compassionate care for each patient. With nearly 2 decades of pain management experience, our physicians ensure that you get the best healthcare services for your condition. Our pain doctors have trained at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, and Stanford Medical Center. Learn more about our pain doctors and providers below.
Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Dr. J. Julian Grove is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained anesthesiologist and pain management specialist.
Dr. Grove received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, and went on to complete a fellowship in interventional pain management at Harvard Medical School (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) in Boston, Massachusetts.
After completing his training, Dr. Grove began a private practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He relocated to Phoenix in the summer of 2007, and since then, he has been exclusively practicing chronic and acute pain management as a physician and partner at Pain Consultants of Arizona (formerly Arizona Center for Pain Relief).
Dr. Grove specializes exclusively in the treatment of patients with acute and chronic pain conditions, including cancer pain management. He performs a variety of spinal, peripheral, and joint injections, including radiofrequency ablation, kyphoplasty, and implantable techniques. He is a strong believer in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to pain management, which allows him to incorporate physical therapy modalities, medication management, and other non-invasive modalities, when appropriate.
Dr. Grove continues to be active in the medical community, serving as president of the Arizona Pain Society since 2011, and as secretary of the Arizona Society for Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Grove also lectures on a variety of topics related to pain management, both regionally and nationally.
In his spare time, Dr. Grove enjoys spending time with his wife Kelli and their three daughters, as well as playing tennis and squash.
Board-Certified Physiatrist and Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Kubitz was raised in Southern California, and after completing his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, he relocated to Arizona in 2005. At Pain Consultants of Arizona, he provides a wide variety of treatment options for various acute and chronic painful conditions. He enjoys working with his patients to determine the correct diagnosis and formulate an individualized treatment plan for each of his patients.
Dr. Kubitz has received extensive training in evaluating and managing painful spine and musculoskeletal disorders. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He offers his patients medical and interventional pain treatments, including cutting-edge treatment options such as spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation and regenerative medicine treatments.
Dr. Kubitz has previously served as Chairman of the Governing Board and Medical Director for HonorHealth Pain Management Center, and currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of Scottsdale Spine Ambulatory Surgical Center.
When not at work, Dr. Kubitz enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their 3 sons, as well as playing golf.
Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Tony Bui takes a highly interventional and multidisciplinary approach to pain management with his patients, utilizing the latest comprehensive advances in pain medicine. His interpersonal and clinical skills have proved to be effective in the management of acute and chronic pain patients. Dr. Bui is a firm believer in the individualization of therapeutic decisions by creating a patient-centered model of care, where the patient’s preferences play a fundamental role in the treatment process.
Dr. Bui is a passionate flamenco guitar player, a student in the art of being a DJ, and spends time seeking out the adventurous street foods his travels expose him to. It is this zest for life that helps him understand just how important it is to get his patients back to a more active and pain-free life.
Education:
Arizona State University – Undergraduate degree
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Medical degree
Baylor College of Medicine – Anesthesia Residency
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale – Pain Medicine Fellowship
Dr. Kaston received his undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University, where he began as a student athlete and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's of science in human biology. He went on to receive his doctorate of osteopathic medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine. He then completed an internal medicine internship at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was awarded Preliminary Medicine Intern of the Year. He completed his anesthesiology residency and pain medicine fellowship at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson as part of the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Dr. Kaston chose the pain medicine specialty after witnessing life-changing improvement for a patient who received an interventional pain procedure during his residency. He believes there is no higher privilege than to be able to alleviate another human of their suffering. His entire approach to treatment revolves around enhancing and optimizing quality of life. Physical therapy, surgery, sleep medicine, and pain psychology are just a few invaluable resources that he utilizes in addition to traditional medication management and procedural interventions. Dr. Kaston believes restoring someone's ability to walk their dogs, go dancing with their significant other, or pick up & play with their children or grandchildren makes all the endless studying, student debt, and 30-hour call shifts worthwhile.
Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Neil Thakkar is double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management. His desire to be a pain physician started prior to medical school, while caring for his mother, who was afflicted with pain. She suffered from acute post-surgical pain as well as chronic pain following neck surgery. He decided at that point that he wanted to dedicate his career to alleviating the pain of others.
After completing medical school training at Western University of Health Sciences, he completed his residency in Anesthesiology at Saint Louis University, followed by an advanced fellowship in Pain Management at the University of Cincinnati.
Although he enjoyed taking care of patients in critical situations, such as the operating room and intensive care units, he felt a closer connection to patients when treating chronic pain in the clinic setting.
Dr. Thakkar has been practicing in the Valley since 2012. His training and experience allows him to offer a wide variety of modalities to offer his patients who suffer from acute and chronic pain conditions. He is able to manage even the most complex pain conditions
He specializes in spinal disorders, complex regional pain syndrome, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, migraine headaches, and joint pain. Patients will find that his knowledge base, skill level, and passion for helping others helps him provide the highest quality of pain management care.
Care Philosophy: “My desire to be a pain physician started prior to medical school, while caring for my mother, who suffers with pain. She had acute post-surgical pain after neck surgery as well as chronic pain in her neck and low back. I decided at that point that I wanted to dedicate my career to alleviating the pain of others.”
Double Board-Certified in Anesthesiology & Interventional Pain Medicine
Dr. Vivek Iyer is a dedicated pain specialist with over 18 years of clinical experience and a strong commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. He is double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, with a special focus on cancer pain and post-surgical pain.
He believes effective care begins with listening. Understanding each patient’s story, not just their symptoms, is at the heart of his approach. He combines empathy and clinical expertise to create personalized, opioid-sparing treatment plans that improve quality of life.
Dr. Iyer earned his undergraduate degree with honors in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University and his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology and a fellowship in Pain Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He practiced in Cincinnati for eight years and was recognized as a Top Doctor for Pain Management. He later moved to Phoenix, where he established the Cancer Pain Department at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now City of Hope). During his ten years there, he helped patients manage pain through advanced interventional therapies, often reducing or eliminating the need for opioids. He was also named a Top Doctor in Phoenix.
As a respected educator, Dr. Iyer has been invited to speak at national pain management conferences and events, where he shares the latest advancements in interventional techniques with fellow physicians.
Currently at Pain Consultants of Arizona, Dr. Iyer is expanding the practice’s cancer pain program and continues to focus on advanced procedures for complex pain conditions.
He is passionate about treating the whole person with respect, compassion, and cutting-edge care. Outside of work, Dr. Iyer enjoys hiking and traveling with his wife and son, finding balance and inspiration in nature.
Michelle Armijo joined Dr. Kubitz’s team in June 2021. She is a native of Arizona and a graduate of Midwestern University’s Physician Assistant program here in Glendale, AZ.
Michelle has always been interested in the medical field. She enjoys being a PA and helping patients in several areas including orthopedics, pain management, and neurology. Michelle is passionate about helping her patients be as healthy and as active as possible.
Her hobbies include traveling and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Brittany Jones has been an integral part of Dr. J. Julian Grove’s team since she joined the practice in October 2010.
Brittany received her bachelor's of science in biology at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, where she participated in mitochondrial research. In 2009, she graduated from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, with her master’s degree in medical science and physician assistant studies.
Brittany has been working as a certified physician assistant (PA-C) in pain management since graduating in 2009. She enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling.
Ali Ausloos joined Dr. Bui’s team in May 2021. She completed her associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she grew up. She completed her bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) through Grand Canyon University, and went on to receive her master’s of science in nursing (MSN) at Chamberlain University.
She came out to Arizona in 2018 as a traveling nurse, then worked at the HonorHealth Pain Management Center in 2019, where she met Dr. Bui. Ali loves helping manage chronic pain in her patients. Her goal is to improve her patient’s quality of life by creating a treatment plan that allows her patients to function at their highest possible level.
In her free time, Ali enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing (recently she has started doing some frisbee golf and is always looking for new courses in the area), riding her bike, and traveling.
Lori Carson joined Dr. Grove’s team in October 2023.
Bio to come!
Aly Jiwani joined Dr. Grove’s team in October 2025.
Bio to come!
Pain Consultants of Arizona is your trusted resource for pain management solutions from an integrated team of qualified caregivers. Our providers have the experience and expertise to develop a custom treatment plan that addresses your individual needs and goals. With Pain Consultants of Arizona, you can be sure you are receiving the best care available. We are committed to providing the highest quality patient experience. We have four conveniently located clinics in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, and Peoria, AZ. To learn more about our providers, call us at (480) 222-PAIN (7246), or request an appointment online.
