Join us as we get to know GSGA co-founders Gary Ho and Dr. Chris Parker.
Q: What inspired you to start the Gout Support Group of America?
Gary: I was 24 when I had my first gout attack. At first, the flares were occasional. Over time, they became more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting—sometimes two to three months at a time. I relied on crutches or a wheelchair just to get around. Every doctor visit felt like starting from scratch: “You’re too young for gout.” “You don’t fit the profile.” No tests. Just pain meds.
By the time I was finally diagnosed in 2010, I had lost the prime of my life, my health, my mobility, and my confidence. I weighed 240 pounds at 5’10” and had 20% kidney damage. One blood test confirmed what I’d known for years: chronic gout. With that diagnosis came access to treatment that actually addressed the cause, not just the pain.
I asked Dr. Parker to join me in building what I wish I had during those years. We started GSGA in his office. Today, we’re a community of over 16,000 people helping others feel seen, supported, and no longer alone.
Dr. Parker: I have always had a special interest in gout as it runs in my family. I started doing more and more research and studies and publishing in this area.
Once I started caring for Gary, we decided this support group needed to happen. The world of people suffering from gout needs help – and a support group can provide the community they need.
Q: What is your favorite GSGA memory?
Gary: The very first in-person GSGA meeting in Dr. Parker’s office. Five couples showed up—basically five wives dragging their grumpy husbands into a doctor’s office early on a Saturday morning. I caught a few smiles once the coffee and donuts came out. But what really stood out was how quickly the walls came down. Guys who didn’t want to be there started opening up. The silence turned into real conversation. That morning, they realized they weren’t the only ones struggling and that there was a path forward. That meeting lit the spark for everything that followed.
Dr. Parker: For me, it was the day it went from an idea to a reality. Lots of good ideas never get anywhere. We decided GSGA must become a reality and started making things happen.
After a lot of time and effort we finally hosted our first meeting on a Saturday in my office. It was rewarding to see a group of gout patients come together and realize they are not alone in their struggle.
Q: Can you share more about your story and how you got to where you are today?
Gary: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: no one will advocate for you unless you advocate for yourself. After years of being dismissed and misdiagnosed, I found my voice and it changed everything. That’s what we try to do at GSGA: help people find their voice, speak up, and take control of their care.
Not only is it about your voice, but it is also about showing up and offering our community something important. Our lived experience carries insights that can help shape research, improve treatment, and challenge outdated assumptions. Our vision: To reimagine how gout is seen, supported, and treated—by bridging the gaps between patients and providers, empowering patient leadership in research, and building a sustainable model that redefines the role of advocacy in health care.
GSGA isn’t just a support group. It’s a platform for change and a community that proves the patient voice belongs at the center of it all.
Dr. Parker: The long and short of my story is this: some people choose a career for many reasons and put a lot of effort into getting there. For me, medicine was a calling and there was no way to not become a doctor. I just followed my heart (or my little voice whispering) telling me which way to go.
Becoming a doctor then became internal medicine and then medical research and then rheumatology. Within rheumatology, gout was always my main interest. It is so darn painful that it felt good to work on something that would massively change someone’s quality of life. It still feels great.
Q: What do you like to do outside of GSGA?
Gary: Well, I like to eat 🙂 and proudly consider myself a foodie. My wife and I love cooking for each other, especially trying new recipes together. Beyond eating, I make an effort to stay active and hit the gym regularly, following what I affectionately call “Gary Ho’s No-Sweat Workout.” I’m not a fan of sweating, so over the years I’ve developed a joint-friendly routine that keeps me in shape without wearing me out.
And when we can find the time, my wife and I like to go fishing—though it’s probably more accurate to say we hope to catch fish. We’ve definitely caught more bait than anything else, but we still have fun.
Dr. Parker: My roles besides doctoring are husband, father and athlete. I take all of them very seriously. I start at 4AM almost every day to train hard. I can run to the moon without stopping. For a guy 57 years old, I am super fast and strong. I try to get done with work by 5PM so I can be husband and dad. If it gets past 10 pm, I turn into a pumpkin. Each of these things are a delight for me and a blessing. I try to avoid everything else.
Thank you for getting to know Gary and Dr. Parker. Are you ready to get involved in a supportive community of other gout patients? Join the Gout Support Group of America today. We can’t wait to see you there!