About the Gout Support Group

Gary Ho was only 24 when he began experiencing symptoms of gout. He was told by one doctor, “You’re too young to have gout.” Gary spent 16 years living in agony with about one severe gout flare a month. He ended up needing the use of crutches and a wheelchair on a regular basis. Ultimately, Gary took charge of his gout, and decided that if he did not manage gout, gout would manage him.

Gary has embraced his relationship with a rheumatologist who listened to his wants and understood his needs. With the desire to live without uncontrolled gout, Gary has embraced the reality that it is possible to maintain quality of life while living with gout.

While going through his gout journey, Gary experienced stigma from friends, employers, and even health care providers. When he encountered excruciating pain from flare-ups, his pain was not taken seriously. To help others with similar experiences, Gary created a space for those experiencing gout to talk about issues related to gout management, while also being supported by others who truly understand the disease. In 2015, in partnership with Dr. Chris Parker, Gary co-founded the Gout Support Group of America.

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.

Wesley Mizutani, MD, is a practicing rheumatologist who has served as Department Chairman for over 30 years in a group practice setting. Currently, he serves as a lead rheumatologist for Optum Medical Group California. Dr. Mizutani built a successful clinical trials unit for Healthcare Partners Medical Group and participated in over 75 clinical trials. He is a former Associate Professor of Medicine at the UCSD School of Medicine. Dr. Mizutani serves as Chairman of the California Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Council and is on the board of Directors for the Alliance for Patient Access, the Medical Advisory Board of Lupus LA, and the Arthritis Foundation’s National Advocacy Committee.

Dr. Mizutani received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California. He earned his medical degree from the University of California Los Angeles, and he completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Dr. Mizutani was also the recipient of a fellowship in rheumatology from the University of California, San Diego.

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.

Jen was 26 when she first felt the awful pain of gout. It took her 2 years to even get a diagnosis, and then, she suffered for another year or so with monthly unbearable flares. Everything changed when she met a wonderful rheumatologist who listened to her, and helped her find the right treatment. Now, she has her gout under control, and has been flare-free for years. She loves traveling and speaking to patients and medical teams about how they can help themselves and other patients.

She’s especially passionate about advocating for women with gout, as they often get overlooked. She’s excited to be on the board of the Gout Support Group of America, working to help others manage their gout and live their best lives.