Gout Support Groups
About GSGA
The future of gout care starts with us
Built by Patients.
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At GSGA, we don’t just talk about support, we live it.
Created from one patient’s frustration and one doctor’s commitment to truly helping his patients, we’ve grown into a national community where people with gout can connect, learn, and advocate for real change. Our story is personal, but our mission is collective: to shift the conversation around gout and empower every person living with it.
Our Founders
Meet the people behind the mission
GSGA was co-founded by gout patient advocate Gary Ho and rheumatologist Dr. Christopher Parker, who teamed up to bridge the gap between patient realities and clinical care. Their shared mission is to build a community that centers real people, real stories, and real progress.
The original advocate. The reason we’re here.
When his pain was dismissed, he refused to be silent. His personal fight became a collective mission for all of us.
Gary Ho - Co-Founder | Executive Director
Gary Ho was only 24 when he began experiencing symptoms of gout. Having seen his father live with the disease, he suspected what it was, but when he went to the doctor, he was told, “You’re too young to have gout.” No tests were ordered. The attacks were occasional at first, but over time they became more severe and frequent. For 16 years, Gary lived with escalating pain, often relying on crutches or a wheelchair to get through the day. Still, his concerns were dismissed.
Everything changed when he finally met a rheumatologist who listened. Tests confirmed what he had suspected all along. By then, the damage was significant, he had developed chronic gout, with joint deterioration and reduced kidney function.
Determined to take back his health, Gary began treatment and joined a clinical trial that helped restore his mobility and dramatically improve his quality of life. He realized that if he didn’t manage gout, gout would manage him.
But the damage wasn’t just physical. Gary had endured years of stigma, from friends, employers, and even healthcare providers. His pain was ignored, his experience minimized. That isolation was just as hard to carry as the disease itself.
In 2015, alongside his rheumatologist Dr. Chris Parker, Gary co-founded the Gout Support Group of America (GSGA), a place for people with gout to connect, learn, and feel less alone. What began in a single doctor’s office has now grown into a nationwide community helping others take control of their health, reclaim their confidence, and improve their quality of life.
The Doctor who helped re-write the story
Our co-founder is a rheumatologist who changed our lives, and now he’s helping us change yours.
Dr. Christopher Parker - Co-Founder
Dr. Chris Parker is a rheumatologist, speaker, and physician educator. He is Board Certified by the National Board of Osteopathics Medical Examiners, American Board of Internal Medicine, Subspecialty Rheumatology.
Dr. Parker has treated those with gout for many decades and has seen the social stigmas and misinformation surrounding gout and a gout diagnosis. His passion is providing accurate information to patients, physicians, caretakers, and others through education.
Dr. Parker believes in taking a comprehensive approach to treating his patient’s gout symptoms and flares through a combination of healthy eating, weight management, and effective treatments. Dr. Parker believes that controlling and managing gout includes maintaining a healthy regimen and seeking treatment from a physician.
Through his work with gout patients over the years, Dr. Parker has found that the patient voice is extraordinarily strong in relaying information and support to other gout patients. Dr. Parker knew it was important to support this dialogue and ensure that accurate and trustworthy information was being shared. So, in partnership with patient advocate Gary Ho, Dr. Parker co-founded Gout Support Group of America.
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Wesley Mizutani
- President
Wesley Mizutani, MD, is a practicing Rheumatologist who received a Medical Degree at UCLA School of Medicine, 1983 and went on to finish his residency in Internal Medicine at USC/LA County Medical Center. He completed a fellowship at UCSD School of Medicine in Rheumatology. He began his career in rheumatology as Department Chairman of Rheumatology for FHP health plan. He then obtained his MBA degree from Cal State University, San Marcos. When Talbert Medical Group became a physician owned group he served as Treasurer for the Group for 5 years. He served as Chairman of the Board of Talbert Medical Group and sat on the Board of Directors for 7 years. Clinically he served as the Medical Director of Specialties. He founded the Clinical Research Department at Talbert Medical Group and participated in over 100 clinical trials. He served as Rheumatology Lead at Optum Medical Group. He also held an appointment at UCSD School of Medicine as an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine.
His passion has always been patient advocacy. He has testified at numerous legislative hearings both at the California State Capitol and Capitol Hill. He serves as a Board Member of Alliance for Patient Access. He has also been heavily involved with the Arthritis Foundation currently serving on the National Board of Directors and National Advocacy Committee. He currently serves as the Board Chairman of the Gout Support Group of America and on the Executive Leadership Council of National Association of Managed Care Physicians as well as the Medical Advisory Board of Lupus LA. He was the recipient of the 2024 Star Advocacy Award from the California Chronic Care Coalition and the 2025 Medical Visionary Award from Lupus LA.
Jasmine Patel
- Board Member
Jasmine Patel, MPH, is a patient advocacy professional with a decade of experience working with patient organizations, advocacy groups, professional societies, public affairs firms, and pharmaceutical companies. Her expertise in patient engagement and advocacy has driven meaningful improvements in patient care and treatment access across various diseases.
Jasmine is a strong collaborator with a unique ability to bring different people together around a common cause, fostering a shared sense of purpose and commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Jasmine’s passion for patient empowerment is the driving force behind her work. She firmly believes that patient voices must be heard and is dedicated to ensuring that they have a seat at the table when important healthcare decisions are being made on their behalf.
Jennifer Gentry
- Treasurer
Jen was only 26 when a mysterious, intense pain first hit her foot and turned her world upside down. It took two frustrating years to get a proper diagnosis, and then over another year of relentless monthly flares that became worse and worse, before she finally found the right doctor, the right treatment, and a way forward. With her gout now well managed, Jen has been flare-free for years and is passionate about helping others reach that same turning point.
As a board member of the Gout Support Group of America, Jen brings a unique blend of personal experience and creative energy to the team. She plays a key role in shaping the brand, website, and outreach strategy, making sure the group’s voice is as bold, supportive, and patient-focused as its mission.
Jen especially advocates for women with gout, who are too often dismissed or misdiagnosed. She’s a vocal believer that patient stories matter, and that humor and honesty can be powerful tools for change. When she’s not creating or connecting with the gout community, you’ll probably find her in the ocean, planning her next tropical trip, or cheering for fellow transplant athletes chasing big goals, just like she is.
Why this work matters
What we offer
Support that meets you where you are
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep in your healing journey, we’re here with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement you need.
real Community
We create space for open, honest discussion about life with gout. From questions to celebrations to the messy middle, all of it belongs here.
Clear-cut Education
We break down the science and treatment options into digestible content, so you can make informed choices without needing a medical degree.
Step by step Guidance
Our expert-backed tools and decision guides help you move forward with clarity. You can explore tailored next steps based on where you are in your gout journey.
Why we lead
Patients. Leading. Period.
Too often, people living with gout are treated like a box to check in someone else's research. GSGA exists to flip that narrative. We believe the people who live with this disease are the ones best equipped to shape the future of gout care. Through lived experience, community insights, and strategic partnerships, we're making sure patients are not only heard, they're leading the way.
Healthcare needs our voices, not just as data points, but as drivers of change.
That leadership isn’t just symbolic, it’s active. Behind the scenes, we collaborate with researchers, data analysts, advocacy groups, and clinical experts to turn patient experience into meaningful progress. We provide input on patient engagement strategies, review educational materials before they're published, and contribute to conversations around clinical trial design, access barriers, and stigma reduction. From policy meetings to data projects to national awareness efforts, we’re helping shape a healthcare system that actually reflects the needs and realities of people living with gout.
It began with a Facebook group
The GSGA community lives and breathes online, starting with our original Facebook support group. That space is still going strong, welcoming new members every day who are looking for connection, answers, and a place to be real about living with gout. If you’re looking for judgment-free support from people who get it, you’ll find it here.
Our Sponsors
The Gout Support Group of America appreciates the generous sponsorship of the following companies. Their support helps us expand access to reliable information, amplify patient voices, and build the resources this community deserves.
Fueling the mission. Backing the movement.
We’re proud to be supported by organizations that believe in better outcomes for people living with gout.
Partner with us.
Change starts here. Let’s do it together.
Support from sponsors helps us amplify patient voices and shift the narrative around gout.
Built by patients. Powered by progress.
We’re not here to play small. GSGA is growing into a powerful force for better care, stronger community, and a future where people living with gout are seen, supported, and empowered. Whether you're here for support, advocacy, or just to know you're not alone, welcome. You're in the right place.
